Everyone wants to compartmentalize you. Many cannot interpolate the steps required to go from being very good to being excellent, so they scoff, and they try to

Everyone wants to compartmentalize you. Many cannot interpolate the steps required to go from being very good to being excellent, so they scoff, and they try to impart advice. How are "very good" and "excellent" even quantifiable? Let them say what they will. Nod, respectfully. Then carry on. You belong in another crowd--a rarer crowd. You absolutely may be a designer and front-ender. I'd even speculate that these two crafts complement each other in making you better at both. You won't mindlessly design something that is artistic, yet up in the clouds (because you have a foundation in usability and functionality). Similarly, you won't create an unappealing and thoughtless front-end, because you have an affinity towards--and respect for--beauty. Your boss meant well, I'm sure, and in most respects, it certainly is a good idea to narrow in on your expertise, but these two trades, particularly, do not conflict. Whenever faced with two choices, those who truly distinguish themselves are the ones who say, Fuck it. I'm doing both.