Vol. 011 - Is it the right time to transition to UX?

Hi designers,

Welcome to Vol. 011 of the UX Jetpack Newsletter, where I share job searching tips weekly. This week we are talking about:

1. Is it the right time to transition to UX?
2. Should you learn design tools or soft skills first?
3. Where do you get feedback when you are the first designer at your company?
4. Useful sites for designing websites

If you enjoy those tips, please consider sharing them with your friends. They can sign up at https://uxjetpack.com/newsletter

Is it the right time to transition to UX?

Is it the right time to transition to UX?

Nope, but also yes.

The current market is not kind to folks looking to switch to UX. There are few entry level jobs. Companies want someone who can deliver the design, not ones who need to be guided and trained. It’s common for designers to spend 8-14 months before landing their first design job. The competition is at an all-time high.

However, technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and we can barely grasp the impact of it. Now, more than ever, We need designers who can bridge the gap between humans and technology. We need someone who can consider the impact of technology on people’s lives. And we need a lot of them.

So if you're truly passionate about design, get ready for a long journey ahead. I'm here with you.

Should you learn design tools or soft skills first?

Came across this article by Shumroze Bhat on design tools and soft skills. Designers on the internet love to debate about the right way to use a tool or the right skill to learn.

The conclusion Shumroze reached is the same conclusion as many other questions designers have asked about. It all depends.

It all depends on your skill level, career goals, and the company you're at. Which one you prioritize first is entirely your choice.

Check out the article for more insights:

uxdesign.cc/the-constant-tension-between-design-tools-and-soft-skills-9f27ed832e7c

Where do you get feedback when you are the first designer at your company?

Many designers have asked me how I get feedback on my design work when I’m the only designer at early-stage startups. Honestly, it’s not easy, especially when you are starting out your career. The lack of design guidance can leave you feeling lost and frustrated.

Here’s how I adapted to the situation and grew as a designer.

1. Reach out to designers in different communities There are tons of online communities out there. They can be a great help, whether that’s asking for direct feedback or just chatting about your work situation. If you can’t post your work publicly, I’m sure someone would be happy to hop on a call with you. You can find different communities around the world on my website. https://www.designerslack.community/
2. Read as much as possible Whether that’s online blogs, newsletters, books, podcasts or videos, there are so many free resources that dive into different topics. If you encountered a design problem, chances are there’s someone who talked about it already. Reading doesn’t help solve the problem, but at least it will bring some clarity.
3. Get help from platforms like ADPList Wonderful people have volunteered their time to help on platforms like ADPList. This is a great place to reach out for help. It is a free service, but please make sure you come to your meetings prepared. That’s the least you could do to respect their time.
4. Convince your company to hire a consultant It’s not uncommon for startups to hire a consultant to provide design guidance. If you can convince your company to pay for it, that could be beneficial for both yourself and your company.

Useful sites for designing websites

Useful sites for designing websites

1. tinypng.com It optimizes your images without losing quality.

1. coolors.co Superb color palettes.

1. iconbuddy.app Tons of open-source icon libraries in one place. Searchable.

1. curated.design Curated web design inspiration catalog

1. fonts.bunny.net Best Google Font alternative for privacy-conscious designers

Are you looking for a product designer job?

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Book an intro session now to see if this is the right program for you.