13 UX Design Career SECRETS I Wish I Knew

Summary

Aliena shares hard-earned wisdom for aspiring UX designers, emphasizing that breaking into the field takes longer than three months. She advises against going solo, recommends finding accountability partners, and stresses the importance of functionality over aesthetics. Aliena also suggests designing for the 'happy path,' considering business strategies, and understanding that constraints can enhance projects. She warns against undervaluing one's work and clarifies that a designer's value isn't diminished by job rejections or criticism.

Takeaways

• 🕒 It's unrealistic to become a UX designer in just three months; it typically takes several years of experience and learning.
• 🤝 Don't try to learn and grow in UX design alone. Find accountability partners to share goals, give feedback, and learn from each other.
• 🎨 Prioritize functionality over aesthetics in design. Ensure the product works well before focusing on how it looks.
• 🛤️ Design for the 'happy path' first, which is the ideal user journey without complications, to save time and streamline the user experience.
• 🏢 If you're unemployed, act as if you're running an agency. This mindset can enhance your legitimacy and business understanding.
• 🔍 Remove the 'Open to Work' badge from your LinkedIn profile to avoid appearing desperate and to maintain a professional image.
• 💰 Don't compete on price for your design services. Focus on the value and quality you provide, which can lead to higher returns for clients.
• 🚀 The demand for junior design positions is decreasing, so consider self-promotion, networking, and showcasing your ability to work independently.
• 📈 Aim for B2B projects as they often offer more lucrative opportunities and are a significant part of the UX design market.
• 🔗 Constraints can add value to a project by demonstrating your ability to solve problems within limitations, which is a common scenario in professional settings.
• 💡 Recognize that your design work is not a reflection of your self-worth. Separate your identity from your creations to handle feedback and rejection more effectively.

Q & A

How long did Aliena initially give herself to become a UX designer?

Aliena initially gave herself a three-month deadline to break into big tech as a UX designer.

What was Aliena's realization about the timeline she set for herself?

Aliena realized that the three-month timeline she set for herself was very irrational and that it would have been beneficial to know this earlier.

Why did Aliena wish she had known not to try to do everything by herself?

Aliena wished she had known not to try to do everything by herself because it's more effective to find accountability partners and learn from each other, as well as to receive regular feedback.

What is the 'happy path' in design according to Aliena?

The 'happy path' in design is the ideal user journey without any 'what if' scenarios, where the user follows a straightforward sequence of actions to achieve the desired outcome.

Why is it important to make a design functional before making it visually appealing?

It's important to make a design functional before making it visually appealing because businesses need products to work effectively before they need to look good, which aligns with the primary goal of serving the user's needs.

What advice does Aliena give regarding personal branding and job hunting?

Aliena advises against using the 'open to work' badge on LinkedIn profiles, as it can give off a desperate vibe, and instead suggests positioning oneself as a professional with value to offer.

How does Aliena suggest pricing design services?

Aliena suggests not competing on price but rather focusing on the quality of work and the value it brings to the client, such as increasing conversion rates or improving user experience.

What is Aliena's perspective on the availability of junior design positions in the market?

Aliena believes that junior design positions are becoming rare, and designers often need to position themselves as senior designers by gaining experience through personal projects, networking, and building a strong personal brand.

Why does Aliena recommend focusing on B2B products for UX designers?

Aliena recommends focusing on B2B products because they are often more profitable and offer more career opportunities in UX design compared to B2C products.

How does Aliena view constraints in design projects?

Aliena sees constraints as making a project interesting because they force designers to work within limitations and find creative solutions, which is a valuable skill in the industry.

What is Aliena's advice on separating one's self-worth from their design work?

Aliena advises that one's design work does not define their self-worth. Understanding this separation can make it easier to receive feedback and improve without taking critiques personally.

Why does Aliena emphasize that a great landing page cannot sell a bad product?

Aliena emphasizes that a great landing page cannot sell a bad product to highlight that designers cannot control everything and that the quality of the product or service itself plays a crucial role in its success.