Early design career advice + IRL in Vancouver!
Early design career advice + IRL in Vancouver!
Advice from design professionals in our Discord community!
Hey Buddies! We asked design professionals what their advice for early career designers would be and share them here!
We will also be in Vancouver Canada Aug 20-24, reach out to Design Buddies Founder Grace Ling (grace@designbuddies.community) if you’d like to hang out.
We are hosting a Design Buddies meetup on Aug 21 at the UX x UX Conference, in-person in Vancouver!
Join us for a fun social mixer after the conference to connect as humans based on everything you do outside of your job! We'll also have a lightning talk by Grace Ling (Founder of Design Buddies) on how to build your personal brand and use your design experience to build profitable side projects.
Use code FLUFFLE40 for a discount on your tickets here:
https://www.uxunconference.com
Early design career advice
We asked professionals on our Discord to answer:
“Don't try to seem knowledgeable by stuffing your portfolio and resume with the same empty buzzwords everyone uses, like "empathy" and "human-centered." To stand out from the crowd, define your personal approach to design. What do you think is important? What are you especially good at, what fields and industries interest you most? And revisit this on occasion based on your evolving experiences and skills.” - Axiom
“Don’t get pressured into lowball offers” - Daegon
“All it takes to become a world class designer, (be it an illustrator, web designer, brand designer or product designer) is largely dependent on how consistently you practice. Learning how to use framer as an entry level designer? Practicing should be your favorite hobby. That's the proven pathway.” - Ayoola Tosin
“As a Senior UX Designer, my advice for those starting their careers is to focus on understanding the problem before jumping to solutions. Master the fundamental principles of design, as they will guide your work regardless of changing tools and trends. Embrace feedback as an opportunity to improve, and always approach it with an open mind. Building a strong portfolio is essential, so prioritize quality and clearly showcase your problem-solving process. Stay curious and committed to continuous learning to keep up with the evolving field. Understanding the business side of design will help you create solutions that are not only user-centered but also aligned with organizational goals. Networking and finding a mentor can provide valuable guidance and open up new opportunities. Strong communication skills are crucial, as you’ll need to articulate your ideas effectively to various stakeholders. Always prioritize the user’s perspective to create meaningful and impactful experiences. Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment and learn from failures, as this is where true innovation often emerges. Whenever you get stuck in design process, go back to your user personas or user research data to get back on track and reiterate. Thanks and all the best!” -AJ
“Love your craft, be curious, play with it. design or art doesn't need to fit any mold when you're learning and starting out. you see those 10/10 designs, guess what, they're not 10/10 in eyes of the person who made it. If you start loving what you're doing, and find genuine happiness in things you create. you're the best designer any person can afford. just keep that spirit up” - designwithdevant
“Know your worth, even when you're just starting out. Carry yourself with respect and initiative. Present your work and skills with confidence and enthusiasm. These things will help your clients and peers trust you and be excited for your perspective and involvement.
Also, always have an openness for learning. It keeps you humble, nurtures your niche, and leads to opportunities. If you avoid new tools, difficult projects, or genuine collaboration then you'll be stunting your growth and appeal. Someone who's always growing is worth a lot because potential is invaluable. Good luck out there!” -Robyn Walker
“1. Learn, Unlearn, Relearn
Be strong in the basics of what you do
Be aware of heuristics and mental models
Spend time on knowing yourself more than knowing whom you are designing for
Ensure that you read and write - use your eyes and hands on a regular basis
Science and data are the key. Don’t ignore or replace them with biases and feelings
Your resume is your menu card. Make your food interesting to read
An interview is a process of elimination more than a process of selection. This can happen both ways.
You have 3 type of skills- durable, semi durable and perishable. Each skill has a half-life. Plan around this.
UI is the tip of the iceberg” - VB
“Understand that UX Design is more than just visuals - strategy it’s at the core of it and you will need to have an holistic understanding of business, brand and product to create a successful and impactful experience” - Soraia Soares
“My advice for students and early career designers is to practice solving as many project and user problems as you can. Try to understand real-world projects because they teach you a lot. Don’t be afraid to learn from and copy successful real-world designs. It’s a great way to get better. Finally, aim to be really good at one area of UI/UX, like visual design, interaction design, or UX research. Being an expert in one thing can make you very valuable to any team. ” - iam_riyas
“ 1. Always keep your process easy and simple enough to be understood at a glance. This can be achieved by: Sketch your ideas by hand before using your design software. This helps you loosen up and forgive mistakes. When you're happy with your sketches, then you can transfer them to your design software.
Before finalizing your work, it's helpful to have someone else look at it. This allows you to see your designs from their perspective and understand what they may think or feel. By doing so, you can create artwork that effectively meets its objectives.” - Simamkele (Smar) Pikelela
“Focus on building a strong portfolio that showcases your versatility and creativity. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and techniques. Networking is key—connect with other designers and professionals in the field. Always keep learning and stay updated with the latest trends and tools. Remember, persistence and passion are your best tools for success.” - Baldur [baldurbest50@gmail.com]
“Get feedback on your work early and often. Use your frustration as a guide. The longer you wait to show a design the more it solidifies and anchors itself into your brain. If you wait too long it will feel like the only obvious path and you'll fight other people's perspectives and feedback harder than you really need to. If you feel yourself getting defensive, you waited too long.” - infinity spiral
“1. Design is constantly evolving, so never stop learning. Keep your skills sharp and relevant.
Tailor your portfolio to showcase your best work and your range of skills. Demonstrate the type of design work you're passionate about and want to pursue.
Don't shy away from constructive criticism. It's an invaluable part of the design process that helps you grow and refine your work. Approach feedback with an open mind and use it to improve.
Connect with other designers, attend industry events, and join design communities like Design Buddies. Building a network can lead to new opportunities, collaborations, and mentorship, all of which are crucial in the early stages of your career.
Take on projects that excite you and align with your interests, even if they're outside of your day-to-day work. Passion projects can be a great way to experiment, push creative boundaries, and showcase your unique perspective.” - El Emilé
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