2022 Design Tools Survey
UX Tools — We’re excited to share the results of the Design Tools Survey for the sixth time! This year we can understand the industry more deeply as we ask new questions about remote work, leadership, and research. We also added two new categories: advanced prototyping and portfolio builders. We hope you find it educational and valuable. As always, the raw data is freely available to download.
Demographics
Survey respondents submit their tools from all around the world. Take a look at how the respondents vary in team size, company size, experience, and more.
UI Design
This is software that helps you create, design, and specify the details of high-fidelity interfaces. This category has settled down in recent years, but we expect some newcomers to continue growing.
Basic Prototyping
This software helps you create basic clickable prototypes with transitions or animations. For the first time, this category is now separate from Advanced Prototyping Tools. We’re excited to show you where the Protoyping space is going.
Advanced Prototyping
This software utilizes conditional logic, variables, data, and dynamic inputs to create realistic experiences.
Digital Whiteboarding
This software is usually for collaboration, digital sticky notes, sketching, user flows, workshops, etc. This category exploded during the COVID pandemic and the rise of remote work.
Design Systems
This software helps maintain guidelines for interactions, visual styles, and general usage of design elements. We don’t believe that the Design Systems tool space has had it’s “moment” yet, so each year we continue to monitor.
User Testing
This type of software engages real people with prototypes, concepts, research materials, or real product experiences.
Research Repository
This is for storing, tagging, and organizing research sessions and insights in one centralized location.
Research Recruiting
This type of software is for identifying, contacting, and possibly incentivizing participants for your research projects.
Portfolio Builders
This type of software helps you build a personal website to showcase your projects.
2022 Designer’s Toolkit
The top tools from each category in this year’s survey.
2023 Predictions
Every year we ask designers which tools they’re most excited about in 2023. It’s an interesting way to view the collective awareness of the product design industry.
Conclusion
This survey is one of our favorite parts of the year, and we couldn’t do it without you!