10 Lessons I Learned During My First UX UI Job: A Beginner’s Perspective
Hey, nerdzz! 🤓
The unexpected finally happened!
I got my first UX UI job!
*This happened 3 months ago, but I needed time to gather my impressions and experience so I can share it!
It all happened so fast, and looking back now it was very unpredictable and like nothing I was ready for.
I don’t like to go into all the gory details here, but I will only try to emphasize the big and important moments that stay with me during this incredible experience.
For the record, I didn’t apply for a job because I was still at the end of my academy and I didn’t even have a portfolio, but that didn’t stop me from getting a job.
The job was offered to me by my Academy.
The mentor and professors there knew my hard work and dedication in this crazy design world and they recommended me as one of the top students from the Academy.
But it wasn’t that easy.
I had an online interview which went very well and not at all stressful ( which was shocking ) and I also was given a home assignment to demonstrate my design skills ( since I didn’t have a portfolio )
And after that, all is a blur.
After showcasing my assignment, which they loved, they offered me the job as a junior designer at the academy and I accepted immediately since I was unemployed and this was my dream in a way
I even joked with my mentor ( who is now becoming one of my best friends) that it would be cool if we worked together someday. And that happened!
The big lesson here is: Be careful what you wish for because it may come true.
Okay, so now it’s time to share the lessons I learned in my first junior role as a UX UI designer.
1. Working on a real project
I saw the difference between working on a real project with real consequences and the homework assignments I did for the academy.
Firstly, I worked daily with the project manager and received advice and corrections from her on improving the content of the projects I worked on.
This was something new for me and a great experience. Communication between us was smooth and she managed to guide me through my first real experience as a designer.
2. Working with the Developer
After I finished my primary task — I say finished with reservation because nothing in the user experience process is truly ever finished — I worked with the developer at the company.
Despite making many mistakes, he was very patient with me.
Normally, I made mistakes because it was my first task, but I quickly realized that this is the best way to learn — through making mistakes and correcting them.
However, I was also very mindful of the deadline and worked so quickly that the mistakes in this environment were expected.
I learned that lesson as well.
Don’t rush because afterward, you will need twice as much time to fix some of your shortcomings.
3. Iterations, iterations, iterations
I was aware that no UX project is a final product.
It is more like a living material that is constantly undergoing changes and based on countless research and testing, a first version is reached that eventually goes through coding.
It is important to recognize that the process of creating a successful UX project involves multiple iterations and refinements, and to always be open to making improvements and changes as needed.
4. Every project is unique
Definitely in the UX world there is nothing linear.
I worked on one project only on the visual process, on another project I collaborated with other designers, and I also had a project that I finished in one day because it was needed as a mockup for a potential client.
All of this was already mentioned in the academy but the experience is very different when you encounter something like this for real projects.
5.I know that I don’t know many things
I think this has been my motto since my student days.
By profession, I am a Professor of Philosophy ( as all of you may already know) and I literally follow Socrates’ saying and I am not ashamed to admit that I don’t know many things. In fact, this is a virtue that everyone should possess.
In the end, after you admit and realize that you don’t know many things, only then will you be ready and willing to learn.
6. Improving my UI skills
Thanks to this first work experience, my visual skills were greatly improved.
This was due to daily viewing of web pages, working with other designers, and trying out what can work and what can’t for my project.
Definitely noticed an improvement in my designer’s eye and an upgrading of my creative mind.
7. Working with deadlines
We are all aware of this but sometimes it’s good to feel it on your own skin.
I love deadlines and they help me keep my discipline when working on anything, but sometimes it is not possible to complete everything within the given time and that’s completely okay.
However, design is a process that really requires time, contemplation, and research.
8. Communication and many meetings
Effective communication is essential for the success of any project, especially in the field of UX design.
During my first job experience, I made sure to maintain clear and frequent communication with my colleagues, the project manager, the developer, and other designers at the company.
This helped ensure that everyone was on the same page and that any issues or concerns were addressed promptly.
I also learned the importance of concise communication, as it is impossible to effectively collaborate and produce high-quality work without it.
Good communication skills are essential for successful teamwork and project completion.
9. Making quick decisions
Something I noticed as a big change and growth in my design growth was the moment I started making quick decisions.
At the beginning of my design academy, I was so unsure of myself and it literally stopped me from starting to design.
Over time, I became more confident and realized that it is not wrong to make a decision and then change it.
In fact, that is what design itself is, and thanks to this job, my self-confidence has only grown stronger.
10. So much research
Research is something that is essential for any project to be successful.
It was emphasized from the very first day of my design academy.
No project starts with sitting down and directly designing in Figma.
Instead, it involves a lot of research to understand the target audience, the goals of the project, and the competitors in the market.
This helps to inform the design decisions and ensure that the end product is effective and meets the needs of the users. Without thorough research, it is difficult to create a successful and meaningful design.
To be honest there are so many other things that I could share here but I wouldn’t want this to be a 15min article! 🤣
After all of this, I can only conclude how grateful I am that I started in this field!
If someone told me a year ago that a firm will ask ME to work for them as a designer, I would never believe it!
But I am starting to believe it now. 🤓
I am confident in myself as a designer, and I also know that I have so much more to learn!
In conclusion, my first UX/UI job was a truly transformative experience.
Overall, I feel so grateful to have had this opportunity and am excited to continue growing and learning in my career.
I hope this article give you some scope into my first experience as a junior designer. It wasn’t as scary as a though!
If you really loved this article and you learn something usefull for it you may clappp ( up to 50times ) and leave a comment as to what are yours first experience and some of the lessons you learned! 😁
As always, stay curous and never ever stop learning! 🖤
