Why I barely design in Figma anymore

Summary

In this candid video, a UX designer shares their unexpected journey from bootcamp to working in tech, revealing the unglamorous reality of the profession. Initially drawn to design tools like Figma, they quickly realized that much of the job involves managing tasks, meetings, and collaboration, with little time spent on actual design. The video highlights the importance of staying curious, adapting to various roles, and being prepared for interpersonal challenges. It offers valuable advice for aspiring designers, emphasizing that UX design is more about problem-solving, strategy, and teamwork than just using design software.

Takeaways

• 😀 Investing in a UX bootcamp or program can be expensive, and it may not prepare you for the full scope of what the job entails.
• 😀 The design aspect of a UX career often involves less 'art' and more collaboration, problem-solving, and business understanding.
• 😀 As a UX designer, you’ll spend much of your time in meetings, not just designing in tools like Figma.
• 😀 Early roles, such as an internship, often involve assisting with tasks like gathering assets and scheduling research calls rather than designing.
• 😀 Moving up the career ladder in UX means more responsibility—such as creating designs, presenting them to clients, and defending decisions.
• 😀 The design process isn't always linear, and you'll often have to adapt to different roles and responsibilities as you grow in your career.
• 😀 UX designers, particularly in tech companies, need to balance design, business, and engineering perspectives.
• 😀 The pressure of designing in a tech environment can be high, especially when the stakes are tied to both design and business outcomes.
• 😀 Patience and managing different personalities are key skills for UX designers, as a significant part of the job involves navigating interpersonal dynamics.
• 😀 Meetings, unfortunately, make up a huge part of a UX designer's day, with non-design tasks often taking up most of the time.
• 😀 Stay curious and open to exploring different roles and projects to stay engaged and find creative opportunities outside of your main work.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video?

The main theme of the video is the gap between expectations and reality in a UX design career. The speaker highlights how the role of a UX designer involves much more than just creative design work and emphasizes the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and understanding business needs.

Why does the speaker mention their $7,000 investment in a boot camp?

The speaker mentions the $7,000 investment in a boot camp to illustrate the high costs and sacrifices they made to enter the UX design field. They use this to set up the contrast between what they expected to do (creative design work) and what the job actually entails.

What was the speaker's initial perception of UX design?

Initially, the speaker thought UX design would be about creating beautiful, artistic designs using tools like Figma. They were excited about the idea of becoming an artist, crafting user interfaces and experiences.

What was the reality of the speaker’s role as a UX design intern?

As a UX design intern, the speaker mostly assisted with tasks like collecting assets and scheduling meetings, rather than designing. They were learning about the industry by shadowing others and didn’t expect to do much hands-on design work at that stage.

How did the speaker’s responsibilities change when they became an associate UX designer?

When the speaker became an associate UX designer, they were more involved in Figma and executing design tasks. However, they were often left in the dark regarding the bigger decisions and the reasoning behind certain design choices, which led to frustration and a desire for more context.

What challenges did the speaker face as a senior UX designer at an agency?

As a senior UX designer at an agency, the speaker not only created designs but also had to present and defend them to clients. They compared this to throwing a party for someone they weren’t close to, only to face criticism about their work, making it a stressful and challenging experience.

What is different about the speaker's current role as a product designer at a tech company?

In their current role as a product designer at a tech company, the speaker is responsible for the entire design process, from understanding the goals behind the design to executing it. The role involves more collaboration, aligning with multiple teams, and dealing with higher levels of responsibility and pressure.

What advice does the speaker give to those considering a career in UX design?

The speaker advises aspiring UX designers to be prepared for non-design work, such as collaboration and managing expectations. They emphasize the importance of staying curious, being adaptable, and accepting that meetings and strategy discussions are a big part of the job. Patience and strong interpersonal skills are also crucial.

How does the speaker describe the importance of meetings in a UX design career?

The speaker describes meetings as an essential part of the UX design career. They are the primary means of aligning with different stakeholders, managing expectations, and navigating non-design tasks. Although meetings can be overwhelming, they are key to ensuring everyone is on the same page.

What does the speaker mean by 'staying curious' in the context of UX design?

By 'staying curious,' the speaker means being open to learning new things, exploring different roles, and adapting to unexpected situations in the UX design field. Staying curious helps overcome challenges and find creative solutions, especially when the job doesn’t align with initial expectations.