Just a few years ago, being a T-shaped designer with deep expertise in one area and broad knowledge across others was the goal. But today’s landscape is moving too fast for that to cut it anymore. As Gen Z designers, we’re expected to go further, to be π Pi-shaped: mastering two key areas of expertise while maintaining broad, foundational skills across multiple disciplines.

Why the change? It’s simple: the world is more interconnected than ever, with evolving user needs and rapid advancements in tech like AI. Employers need designers who can solve complex problems from multiple angles, whether it’s understanding human behaviour, coding, or product strategy. This means that just having one deep skill isn’t enough anymore — you need two.

Pi-Shaped Designers: Why They Matter Now

Being Pi-shaped is all about adaptability. In the past, as a T-shaped designer, you might have specialized in something like UI design (your main vertical) while having general knowledge in areas like interaction design or user research (the horizontal). But now, a Pi-shaped designer is expected to go deeper, developing expertise in two core areas. For instance, if you’re strong in UX research, you should also be diving into front-end development or product management. This dual expertise sets you apart as someone who can tackle challenges in a more holistic way.

This broader skill set is crucial because today’s employers want more than someone who just designs nice screens. They need designers who understand the bigger picture — like how to build things efficiently and how to create user experiences that drive business results.

The Real World Isn’t Preparing Us

Here’s the tough truth: most design schools and bootcamps aren’t preparing us for this new Pi-shaped world. They focus on a single core skill and maybe touch on a few others, but they don’t emphasize the need for designers to become multi-disciplinary. The reality is, that as technology evolves and AI continues to transform the workplace, mastering at least two fundamental skill sets will be necessary just to stay competitive.

And that’s not all. The way work itself is evaluated has changed. It’s now outcome-based— meaning, no matter how profitable the company is, your role will only matter if you deliver tangible results. Whether you’re designing a user flow or building out a website, it needs to drive profit. Designers, like the sales and strategy teams, are now expected to deliver results that directly contribute to the company’s bottom line. Simply showing up isn’t enough.

Thriving as a Pi-Shaped Designer and The Future

To succeed as a Pi-shaped designer, continuous learning is key. You need to keep pushing your boundaries, expanding beyond your core focus into other fields. Whether it’s picking up front-end coding skills, learning more about data analytics, or diving into business strategy, your adaptability is what will set you apart.Equally important is collaboration. Being able to speak the language of developers, marketers, or even VPs makes you a stronger designer who can solve problems across different disciplines. It’s all about becoming the designer who not only builds but helps lead product and business decisions.The days of being a T-shaped designer are over. As we move forward, it’s clear that the designers who thrive will be Pi-shaped — deeply skilled in two areas and fluent in the broader landscape of the industry. It’s time to embrace this new standard, master multiple skills, and focus on driving outcomes.

If you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to smash that “like” button, and follow for more stories like that! 😎

LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter