The Harsh Reality of Being a UX Designer

Summary

In this candid video, Andres the designer addresses the realities of working in UX design, cautioning against the pitfalls of 'design by committee' and the necessity for user research. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication and the ability to articulate design decisions to various stakeholders. The video also highlights the need to translate complex UX terms for different team members and the significant role of presentations in the job. Andres encourages aspiring designers to consider these aspects to determine if UX design aligns with their passions and skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Passion for UX Design: The speaker loves UX design and encourages those who are passionate about it to pursue it, despite the challenges.
• 🚫 Honesty about the Industry: It's important to be honest about the pros and cons of the UX design industry to make informed decisions about career paths.
• 🔍 Exploring Options: The speaker tried various roles before settling on UX design, suggesting that it's okay to explore different avenues before finding the right fit.
• 🤔 Design by Committee: UX designers often face the challenge of balancing multiple stakeholders' opinions, which can lead to design compromises.
• 🎨 Pixel Pusher Syndrome: In some projects, UX designers might be reduced to executing others' ideas rather than being strategic digital architects.
• 💡 Importance of User Research: The speaker emphasizes the need for user research to guide design decisions and avoid 'Frankenstein' designs.
• 🗣️ Articulating Design Decisions: Communicating the rationale behind design choices is a crucial skill for UX designers to gain team trust and avoid debates.
• 📚 Learning from Books: The speaker is investing in a book to improve the ability to articulate design decisions, highlighting the importance of continuous learning.
• 🗣️ Communication Challenges: There's a lot of jargon in UX design, and designers must be able to translate and simplify concepts for different team members.
• 📈 Presentation Skills: Presentations are a significant part of a UX designer's job, from portfolio pitches to design handoffs.
• 🤝 Team Alignment: Aligning the entire team on a shared strategy is key to overcoming the 'design by committee' issue and ensuring successful project outcomes.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video script?

The main purpose of the video script is to provide an honest and balanced view of the UX design industry, discussing both the pros and cons, to help viewers make an informed decision about pursuing a career in UX design.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of being honest about the industry?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of being honest about the industry to ensure that those considering investing time and money into UX design are aware of the realities, challenges, and potential downsides they may face.

What is 'design by committee' and why is it a negative aspect of UX design?

'Design by committee' refers to a situation where many people, including clients, developers, project managers, and others, have strong opinions about the design, making it difficult to create a cohesive product. It is a negative aspect because it can lead to designs that don't meet everyone's needs or opinions and often undervalues user research.

Why does the speaker mention the book 'articulating design decisions'?

The speaker mentions the book 'articulating design decisions' because it is a skill that every UX designer needs. Being able to communicate the reasoning behind design decisions is crucial for gaining trust and understanding from the team and stakeholders.

What is the issue with treating UX designers as 'pixel pushers'?

Treating UX designers as 'pixel pushers' is problematic because it undervalues their role as digital architects who should be involved in the strategic development of a product, rather than just executing on design changes without considering user needs and research.

What does the speaker suggest doing to save a project that lacks organization or user research?

The speaker suggests conducting user research, figuring out the target user, performing a UX audit, and doing a competitive analysis, even if not explicitly asked for, to try to save the project and align the team on a clear strategy.

Why is debating a necessary skill for UX designers?

Debating is a necessary skill for UX designers because they often have to fight against bad ideas or convince team members and clients about the importance of user research and design decisions that are based on research and strategy.

What is the role of user research in the UX design process?

User research plays a critical role in the UX design process as it helps designers understand the target user's needs, pain points, and preferences, ensuring that the design solutions address real user problems and improve their experience.

Why does the speaker mention the confusion with terminology in the UX design field?

The speaker mentions the confusion with terminology to highlight the challenge of having to translate between different team members who may use different terms for the same concepts, emphasizing the need for clear communication and understanding of industry jargon.

What is the significance of presentations in the UX designer's job?

Presentations are significant in the UX designer's job as they are a means to communicate design ideas, get feedback, and collaborate with clients and development teams. Being able to present effectively is crucial for a successful design process and outcome.

What advice does the speaker give to aspiring UX designers in the video script?

The speaker advises aspiring UX designers to be aware of the negative aspects of the job, such as 'design by committee,' the need for debating skills, and the importance of clear communication. They also encourage them to share their experiences and insights to help others get a full picture of the industry.