Dear junior designer: 7 things I wish I knew about UX
If I could sit down with my younger self, fresh into the world of UX, here’s the advice I’d share based on some hard lessons learned.
1. Your Portfolio Isn’t Just a Showcase — It’s a Story
Early in my career, I believed a sleek portfolio filled with clean, minimalistic design was the goal. I quickly realized that hiring managers are more interested in your thought process than your final designs. How you approach problems, make decisions, and act.
“Having a good (looking) portfolio is not enough. You need a solid case study that best represents your skill sets to the specific position you are applying for.”
— Renee Fok, Bootcamp
Fok is correct in stating that in order to be an influential UX designer, you need to learn how to talk about your process: take your clients on a journey through your design. For each project, practice narrating your way through — highlight challenges, how you solve them, and the impact of your solutions.
2. Feedback Is a Gift, Even When It Stings
In the beginning, I took critiques personally, and I let criticism affect how I viewed my abilities, and myself. I knew, logically, that these critiques were not an attack on myself, but an effort by clients to get exactly what they wanted, but sometimes our egos get in the way of logic. Over time, I learned that feedback is an opportunity for growth and understanding. Constructive criticism can highlight blind spots and elevate your designs.
Now, I seek feedback regularly. I ask specific questions like, “Does this flow make sense to you?” or “How do you feel about this interaction?” Ego has no place in the design world. Your favorite, most renowned designers, have sat where you sit now. And they didn’t get to be where they are by taking feedback personally!
3. Design Systems Are Your Best Friend
I have underestimated the power of design systems in the past, thinking they were restrictive, boring, and elementary. In reality, they provide consistency, efficiency, scalability, and accessibility. Embracing them transformed my process and improved collaboration with developers and clients.
Working on projects that required optimizing user experience taught me how leveraging these tools like Webflow Optimize allows teams to test and refine components [read the article How to Get the Most Out of Webflow Optimize for a detailed guide]. Junior designers: use these design systems to your advantage and learn about what they could do to improve your work.
4. Accessibility Isn’t Optional! It’s Essential
Early on, I overlooked accessibility, focusing more on aesthetics. I now understand how important it is that inclusive design ensures everyone can interact with your product, regardless of ability. Good design should aim to be used and understood by everyone to create a more equitable world, which benefits everyone.
Incorporating accessibility checks into your design process is the best way to ensure each page or element is usable by everyone. Use tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker and be sure to familiarize yourself with the WCAG guidelines.
5. Be a Specialist, Not a Generalist
Early in your career, it’s tempting to say yes to everything. Why not, right? But here’s the thing: the most in-demand designers aren’t the ones who can do everything — they’re the ones who do one thing (or a couple things) exceptionally well.
Being a generalist can get you started and help you find your specialty. But becoming known for something specific — like UX writing, motion design in Webflow, or AI-powered prototyping — will set you apart. It makes it easier for clients or companies to understand the value you bring and where to plug you in.
Don’t be afraid to narrow your focus. Explore until something clicks. Then go deep! Your future self, your portfolio, and hiring managers will thank you.
6. AI Isn’t Replacing You — It’s Empowering You
When I first started seeing AI tools pop up in my design workflow, I felt… uneasy. I wondered if AI would replace the creative thinking I trained and studied so hard for.
Here’s the truth: AI won’t replace designers — but designers who use AI will have a serious advantage.
From speeding up wireframes to auto-generating UI variants, tools like the new Figma AI features are becoming the new normal. They’re not a shortcut around UX fundamentals — they’re a power-up. You still need to know how to think critically, advocate for users, and act on feedback. AI just helps you do those things faster and with more freedom to explore and do more.
Yes, there’s a learning curve, and it can feel like cheating. But if you approach it with curiosity instead of fear, you’ll find that AI is less of a threat and more of a teammate.
7. Never Stop Learning
The UX landscape changes everyday. Tools, methods, trends, and expectations change often. Staying curious, open, and committed to learning is crucial for your success as a designer and a professional.
Good designers learn when big changes occur, but excellent designers dedicate time each week to learning the small changes by reading articles, attending webinars, or taking online classes. Subscribing to weekly newsletters that inspect UX design and trends is a really good way to stay informed.
Final Thoughts
Embarking on a UX career is exciting and challenging. While the journey is unique to each person, these lessons are always valuable. Embrace them, and you’ll navigate the UX landscape with greater confidence and purpose, creating an impact wherever you go.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. The most successful designers aren’t the ones who got everything right from day one — they’re the ones who kept learning, experimenting, and building with intention. So remember: you’re not falling behind — you’re just getting started!
