Mistakes I made in my UX design journey: A roadmap to growth
In every journey, there are bound to be missteps and lessons learned. In my own UX design journey, I’ve encountered my fair share of mistakes that have shaped me into the designer I am today.
In this article, I want to share three significant mistakes I made and how I’ve grown from them. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into my story of growth and reflection ☕️.
Jumping directly to Solutions: A Rookie Mistake
Storytime — This was my first freelance project where a client asked me to redesign his website and I directly started pointing out that this part can be improved and needed to be changed.
I directly jumped to solve the problem that I found could be the problem in his website that needs to be solved. (Assumptions)
Learning-
This time I will ask my clients better questions and try to understand what is the reason that they feel they need a redesign for their website so that I could serve them better.
Maybe the problem is not what he is thinking to be, maybe he didn’t need a website redesign maybe the problem is about marketing or something else. This time I will not assume things and try to ask better questions.
Like-
Why do you think you need a redesign?
What are the main issues or challenges you currently face with your existing website?
Who is your target audience, and what are their expectations?
What are your primary business goals, and how can the website support them?
Reflecting on that experience, I realized that I had made a rookie mistake. Instead of assuming the issues and rushing to solve them, I should have taken a step back and focused on better understanding the client’s goals, challenges, and expectations. By doing so, I could have provided a more tailored and effective solution that truly addressed their needs.
Striking the Right Balance: Navigating Negotiations
Being a freelancer comes with its fair share of challenges, and one of the most significant hurdles I faced was navigating negotiations when it came to project rates.
In my early days, I found myself struggling with setting the right price for my services, often undervaluing myself out of fear of losing potential clients, especially when dealing with startups or smaller companies.
Storytime-
I vividly remember those moments when clients would ask me for my project rates, and my mind would race with questions:
What should I quote them?
What if they find it expensive?
Am I truly worth that amount?
Why would they pay that much to me, Nidhi?
Confusion clouded my judgment, and I often ended up quoting an amount, let’s say Rs. X, only to second-guess myself moments later and reduce it to Rs. X/2. This behavior wasn’t professional, and it reflected a lack of confidence in my own value. It was time for a change.
Learning:
Never Negotiate for the other party
I realized that as a freelancer, my role is to convey how I can help clients and add value to their businesses. It’s about establishing a fair and mutually beneficial partnership.
So, I decided to take a different approach to negotiations, focusing on setting a price that reflects my worth and the value I bring to the table.
A new approach:
Now, when a client approaches me, I prioritize understanding their problem and pain points. I request a quick Google Meet session or any other form of direct communication to establish a connection and gather valuable insights.
I set a maximum amount and a minimum amount based on the complexity of the project and the value I can deliver. Confidently, I quote the maximum amount to the client without undervaluing myself or hastily lowering my price. This approach demonstrates professionalism and confidence in my abilities.
If the client agrees to the maximum amount, it’s a win-win situation. It means they recognize the value I bring and are willing to invest in a partnership for success.
If they suggest a middle value within my set price range, it’s still a positive outcome.
However, if they propose a value below my set minimum, I politely decline, as it would compromise my worth and the quality of service I can provide.
Navigating negotiations as a freelancer is a continuous learning process. By valuing ourselves, understanding the worth of our services, and effectively communicating the value we bring to clients, we can strike the right balance in negotiations.
Remember, it’s important to approach these conversations with confidence, professionalism, and a focus on mutual benefit.
Getting Caught in the Content Creation Race: A Moment of Reflection
In the era of social media and content creation, it’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of likes, shares, and recognition.
I found myself dedicating more time to content creation rather than investing in continuous learning and skill development.
Recognizing this imbalance, I’ve shifted my focus back to honing my craft and deepening my understanding of the ever-evolving field of UX design. Through reading industry publications, attending workshops, and engaging in meaningful discussions with fellow designers, I am rediscovering the joy of learning and embracing personal growth.
My journey as a UX designer has been filled with valuable lessons, growth, and moments of reflection. From jumping directly to solutions without fully understanding the client’s needs to navigate negotiations with confidence and finding the right balance in pricing, and even getting caught in the content creation race, each mistake has taught me a valuable lesson.
By sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire fellow designers to approach their work with intention, continuously learn and grow, and always prioritize the needs of clients and end-users.
Remember, success is not just about the final design but the journey of self-improvement and delivering exceptional user experiences.
I’ve recently started creating some awesome prototypes, and if you’re interested in exploring my Figma files, you can find them here. I’ll be regularly sharing more files, so stay tuned for exciting updates!
If you’re feeling inspired and finding value in my content, would you consider “buying me a coffee” to show your support and appreciation?
Hey there I am Nidhi (or design by Nidhi) a UX Designer, I write about my experience and learnings.
You can find me on: Instagram | Behance, | LinkedIn | Book 1:1 Session
