5 Things I wish I knew when starting my first role as a UX Designer
Starting out as a UX Designer can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to make a name for yourself in a highly competitive industry. As someone who has been in the industry for a while now, I can tell you that there are a few things I wish I knew when I first started out, from underestimated the amount of time and effort required to complete a project to making assumptions without seeking clarification.
Here I will share 5 things I wish I knew when starting my first role as a UX Designer:
Be proactive with your work
When starting out as a UX Designer, it’s important to be proactive and take ownership of your work. This means not only completing the tasks assigned to you but also taking initiative to improve processes, explore new ideas, and learn new skills.
Early in my career, I found myself relying too much on my boss for guidance and answers, rather than taking the time to find the answers myself. Looking back, I wish I had used the knowledge I gained from my UX bootcamp and side projects to implement new ideas and approaches within my role, and to be more confident in my abilities.
One way to be proactive is to take the initiative to build up areas where they may not exist at work. For example, you might create a research repository to organise and share research findings, or develop a design system to ensure consistency across products. By taking on these types of projects, you can not only improve your own skills and knowledge, but also add value to your team and company.
Another key aspect of being proactive is taking the initiative to try new things and experiment with different approaches. Don’t be afraid to ask for forgiveness rather than permission, and take calculated risks to see what works best for your team and projects. By taking ownership of your work in this way, you can not only improve your own skills and knowledge but also demonstrate your value to your team and company.
Create your own process
When starting a new project, it’s important to begin with a clear understanding of the project goals and objectives. This often involves meeting with stakeholders and team members to identify the key requirements and expectations for the project. In order to create a process that meets these requirements, it’s important to do some initial research and planning.
One helpful technique for this initial planning stage is to do an assumptions mapping exercise. This involves identifying all the assumptions that team members and stakeholders have about the project, and then mapping those assumptions to areas that need to be researched or validated.
For example, if a stakeholder assumes that users will want a certain feature in the product, but there is no data to support that assumption, this might be an area that needs further research. By doing this assumptions mapping exercise, you can identify the key areas that need to be researched in order to build a successful product.
Once you have identified the key research areas, you can begin to develop a process that meets the needs of the project. This might involve creating a roadmap or plan that outlines the key steps in the design process, as well as timelines and milestones for each step.
As you develop your process, it’s important to be flexible and adaptable. Remember that every project is different, and your process may need to be adjusted to meet the unique requirements of each project. By creating your own process, you can ensure that you are delivering high-quality work that meets the needs of your stakeholders, while also staying organised and efficient throughout the design process.
Try not to learn everything
When starting out as a UX Designer, it can be tempting to try and learn every single tool and technique available. However, this can quickly become overwhelming and counterproductive. For example, I was focused on trying to learn about UX writing, coding, UX Research, as well as trying to improve my design skills through daily challenges. This was incredibly exhausting and meant that I wasn’t focused on building one skill.
Rather than trying to learn everything, it is important to focus on mastering a few key tools and techniques that will help you in your work. To decide which tools and techniques to focus on, start by considering the needs of your team and stakeholders. This might involve looking at the types of projects you will be working on, and the specific skills that are required for those projects. For example, if you will be working on mobile app design projects, you may want to focus on mastering tools like Sketch and Figma, as well as techniques like user testing and mobile UI design.
Once you have identified the key tools and techniques you need to master, focus on developing a deep understanding of those tools and techniques and implementing this into your design process. You can take online courses or tutorials, attend workshops or conferences, or seek mentorship from other designers experienced in those areas to develop a deep understanding of those tools and techniques and implement them into your design process.
By focusing on mastering a few key tools and techniques, you can become more efficient and effective in your work, and also develop a unique skill set that sets you apart from other designers. It is also important to remember that learning is an ongoing process, and as you progress in your career, you may need to continue to learn new tools and techniques to stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
Continue to outreach to people
As a UX Designer, it’s important to build your network continuously and connect with other professionals in the field. This not only helps you stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices, but also provides opportunities for collaboration and learning.
Early in my career, I didn’t make time to network, which narrowed my focus and limited my exposure to key parts of the industry. I missed out on opportunities to build a support network and connect with other professionals, which could have helped me learn and grow in my role.
To avoid making the same mistake, it’s important to prioritise outreach and networking. This might include attending industry events, joining professional associations, participating in online forums, and connecting with professionals on social media. By reaching out to others in the field, you can gain insights into their perspectives and experiences, and learn from their successes and challenges.
Another key aspect of outreach is building bridges with other teams within your organisation. This might include teams in marketing, sales, or customer support, who may have insights into the needs and preferences of your target audience. By connecting with these teams, you can create opportunities for collaboration and cross-functional learning.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to give presentations about UX and its value to others inside and outside of your team. This can help you build your profile within your organisation and industry, and can also demonstrate the importance of UX to non-UX stakeholders. By educating others about the value of UX, you can help build support for your work and make a greater impact on your projects.
Overall, outreach is a critical aspect of success as a UX Designer. By making time to network, connecting with a variety of professionals in the field, reaching out to other teams within your organisation, and giving presentations about UX, you can continuously learn and grow in your role, while also building relationships and adding value to your team and company.
Embrace failure and imperfection
As a UX Designer, it’s important to recognise that failure and imperfection are a natural part of the design process. It’s common to make mistakes or misread requirements, and it’s important to be able to learn from these experiences and move forward.
Personally, I used to be scared to fail and hesitant to share my work for fear of making a mistake or being judged. Imposter syndrome and the perfection trap, which made me feel like I needed to be flawless in my work compounded this fear. However, over time, I’ve come to recognise that these fears are unfounded and that it’s okay to make mistakes and show imperfect work.
To embrace failure and imperfection, it’s important to cultivate a growth mindset. This means recognising that mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth, and reframing failures as a natural part of the design process. It also means being open to feedback and willing to iterate on your work based on what you learn.
Another key aspect of embracing failure and imperfection is learning to manage expectations. This means setting realistic goals and timelines for your work, and communicating effectively with clients and stakeholders about what you can deliver. It also means recognising that design is a collaborative process, and that it’s okay to ask for help or clarification when you need it.
By cultivating a growth mindset, learning to manage expectations, and recognising that design is a collaborative process, you can overcome imposter syndrome and the perfection trap, and become more confident in your work. Remember that it’s okay to make mistakes and that imperfection is a natural part of the design process — what matters most is how you learn and grow from these experiences.
From reviewing my experiences, these five tips from my personal experience can help you build a solid foundation as a UX Designer. By being proactive with your work, creating your own process, focusing on mastering a few key tools and techniques, continuously building your network, and taking care of your mental health, you can position yourself for long-term success in the field. Remember that building up your experience in this field is an ongoing process, and it’s important to stay curious, stay passionate, and stay connected as you progress in your career.
If you’re interested in receiving mentorship from me, whether it’s for a one-off call or for short-term or long-term membership in UX Design, feel free to book a 30-minute consultation with me through my Calendly link. I look forward to helping you grow in your UX Design career!
