Why I Quit UX

Summary

Travis Casab shares his seven-year journey as a UX researcher and his decision to pivot from the field. He clarifies that while UX offers a good work-life balance and salary, it lacks the creative control and opportunity to build new products from scratch that he desires. Casab believes that tech entrepreneurship is the path to capturing the value created and having a significant impact on product design and roadmap, which aligns with his career aspirations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Travis Casab, a UX researcher with seven years of experience, shares his insights on why he decided to pivot out of UX and into tech entrepreneurship.
• 🌟 UX offers a good work-life balance, a laid-back work environment, and often remote work opportunities, which can be appealing to many.
• 💼 A UX job typically provides a stable salary relative to other job markets, but it may not offer the creative control or financial rewards that some might desire.
• 🚫 UX research is not a direct path to generating new product ideas from scratch; it's more about validating concepts and understanding user pain points.
• 🛠 In a UX role, you're often limited in the time and space to execute and build new features or products due to the business's predefined goals and expectations.
• 🎨 Full creative control over product designs and roadmaps is not typically within the scope of a UX job, as these are often set by upper management or business requirements.
• 💡 UX jobs in stable fields may not provide the opportunity for significant creative exploration, unlike emerging fields where new design paradigms are being established.
• 💼 The value created by a UX designer through their work typically accrues to the employer, not the designer, who receives a flat salary and no equity.
• 💼 Tech entrepreneurship is presented as a path to capture the value created, have creative control, and potentially influence new product development from the ground up.
• 🌱 Casab encourages UX professionals to consider their long-term goals and whether entrepreneurship might align better with their aspirations for creative and financial success.

Q & A

What was Travis Casab's initial perception of UX research?

Travis Casab initially perceived UX research as a systematized way to come up with new product ideas, which he later realized was not the case.

What does Travis Casab believe UX research is good for?

Travis Casab believes UX research is good for validating product concepts, understanding user pain points, and conducting usability tests.

Why did Travis Casab decide to pivot out of UX?

Travis Casab decided to pivot out of UX because he realized it would not allow him to come up with and build new products from scratch, have full creative control, or capture the monetary value he creates.

What does Travis Casab suggest is the main misconception about UX jobs?

The main misconception about UX jobs, according to Travis Casab, is that they allow for the creation of new product ideas from scratch, which he clarifies is not typically the case.

What are the benefits of a UX job according to the video?

The benefits of a UX job mentioned in the video include a good work-life balance, a laid-back work environment, likely remote work, a flexible dress code, minimal micromanagement, and a relatively good salary.

What does Travis Casab suggest is the reality of most UX jobs?

Travis Casab suggests that the reality of most UX jobs involves receiving requirements from upper management and delivering designs based on those requirements, with little room for bottom-up creative exploration.

Why does Travis Casab believe UX jobs do not lead to new product ideas?

Travis Casab believes UX jobs do not lead to new product ideas because the process requires an initial product concept to understand which users to engage with and what to test.

What is Travis Casab's view on the creative control in UX jobs?

Travis Casab views that in UX jobs, there is limited creative control as the product roadmap is often set by the business, and designers are expected to meet business requirements rather than drive the product direction.

How does Travis Casab define 'emerging fields' in the context of UX design?

Travis Casab defines 'emerging fields' as areas like spatial computing, web 3, AI, Renewables, biotechnology, and Healthcare, where new paradigms are being established and there is more opportunity for creative exploration and innovation.

What alternative does Travis Casab propose for those seeking more creative control and value capture?

Travis Casab proposes tech entrepreneurship as an alternative for those seeking more creative control and the opportunity to capture the value they create, despite the risks involved.

What is the purpose of the website 'uxstartupjobs.com' mentioned in the video?

The purpose of 'uxstartupjobs.com' is to connect UX designers with emerging technology fields and cutting-edge startups, where they might have more opportunities for innovation and creative fulfillment.