Getting my seat at the product table as a self-taught ux designer
How I managed to become a full time designer without a design degree
August 2021, when I decided to do something unconventional. I am a B.Tech computer science graduate and had absolutely no roots in design, but with zeal to learn and passion — I switched from engineering to design✨
Eight months before, I was working as a full time Software Engineer at an US based MNC, and was totally lost. I was just working to meet the deadlines, while working I was just an employee. I wanted to do something which makes me happy even after working for few extra hours. Fast forward to today and I am now a self taught designer with few decent job offers in my hand.
I can still remember my first encounter to design: a YouTube video, explaining a roadmap to become a designer. It might sound like a simple thing, but it required me a lot of hard work to get to the position where I am standing today. After watching out hundreds of YouTube videos, reading blogs and completing “Google UX Design Certification Program” on coursera, I was pretty proud of the results.
I am writing this article as I wanted to reflect on my experiences by sharing what I’ve learned along the way as someone who started with zero knowledge about product design to getting multiple job offer in the field..😬
To be very honest— I still feel like I know nothing. I just know a little bit less of nothing than the day before😅
Some background about me
My love for design began in my childhood with sketching and designing dress, in hope to become a fashion designer. I wanted to become a fashion designer but like every third Indian, I became an Engineer.
I knew I was not good at programming, and this became more clear when I ended up just working to meet deadline for my engineering job. That realisation had struck me during the initial days of my first job straight out of college and since then I have tried to find a good balance of Technology and Design. I wondered how I was going to be able to completely change my career!
It was not easy to just quit on the job, which was decent in terms of salary and culture, after all I working with a fortune 5th company. Back in those days, I started exploring career opportunities in the design field and came to know about UI/UX Design.
I had no idea that someone called a UX/Product/Interaction/Communication designer existed. All I knew was that there is a term called “Front-end developer”, who the only responsible person to design and code, but I wanted to do designing.
Then, after researching I decided that I wanted to get into the design field and become a UX Designer. Since then I have pursued it with my utmost love. When I started I did not know how to proceed with it. But, somehow I have managed to find a way to where I am right now. I did all what it took me to get a full time job in design. From bootcamp courses to early freelancing I did it all.
WEEKEND, when everyone is chilling, partying and just doing fun.. I used to study, work on my projects and design my portfolio. I used to work all 7 days and just in hope that one day I’ll make a dream job out of it, and eventually I did.
Value of recognising your interest and taking risks
I would say that, it is really very important to find out if you actually want to be a designer or you just want to do it because everyone else is doing? Know whether if it interests you, if it matches your potential. I always wanted to be a Designer but was not actually aware of it, unless I encountered the field accidentally. My picture of design was just the front-end development. Once I decided I wanted to pursue a career in the design field, I went for it!
Also, UI and UX are two different field, which go hand in hand. It is again very important to know what excites you — UI or UX? Once you know your interest, go for it. It is never too late or too complex for you to start all over again.
Take the risk and listen to your gut!!
Figuring out what you are bringing to the table
“Why you switched from an engineer to a designer?”, “What you as an engineer turned designer will bring to the table?”, “How would you being an engineer while understand the process?”, so on and so forth the questions which I got asked in every single interview.
The interviewers were actually trying to know what would they get if they hire me, which means how will I as a package will contribute to the team.
With no design background and not much work experience whatsoever. It was terrifying and bit intimidating, but I answered with grace considering:
- First, as I’m a computer science engineer here’s a bonus point for me that I understand tech & development, which will actually help team requirements easily.
- Second, I learned things based upon the company requirement, not as a student who learns everything in school.
- Third, I had some co-operate experience of working as a software engineer, and as a freelance designer. So I was somewhere aware about both the field.
Knowing your worth, actually let you share what is that unique capability you are bringing to the table!
When I started getting results
👉October 2021, I posted my first case study, It was not perfect but it was the 100% of my learnings made in last 2 months. I got good feedbacks on that case study and that motivated me to do better!
👉November 2021, is when I got my first freelance work, based upon a basic case study. I started understanding design and finally realized where I am and what I need to do to get where I want to be. I was working day and night, living 3 lives — A full time engineer, a freelance designer and a student in a design bootcamp.
I know it sound exhausting, but I had no option. I have already set a deadline for myself, that I in next 6 months I need to a job offer in design.
👉December 2021, I started applying for job. It was just 3–4 months when I started learning, but I needed to test my learnings. Applying for jobs was just to test my knowledge and making myself ready to compete for a job.
The best part was, when I started getting recognised by companies which I applied for, in the beginning small startups and few freelance agencies started reaching out to me on LinkedIn and Behance.
👉January 2022, I was interviewed with some companies, including few well known firms. It boosted my confidence and I didn’t stop working on myself. I took the design challenges very seriously, not to just get selected but primarily to learn by working on such ideas.
In last week of January 2022, I got my first job offer for the role of Product Designer. It was my first step towards getting into design field.
👉February 2022, I was happy with the response I got from the companies, I got 3 offer by the end of Feb. I was on the cloud nine.
I finally made it to my dream job, all those sleepless nights, hard work and tons of learnings I was proud of the results!!
The Mantra to SUCCESS — Keep learning, Keep trying and have faith in yourself!
I want to convey that you can take as many routes as it takes and end up at the same destination. It is nowhere important to have a degree and be bounded to it forever, if you have the potential you will make it happen even without any degree!!
Sometime it is good to take your own way, and make it worth. One-size doesn’t always fits, and there is no blueprint for success in such a diverse industry like the design.
Taking degree is a way to get there, but it is not just the ONLY way to get there. I am a self taught designer and I feel that, if you promise yourself to get there, eventually you will get there(sooner or lesser).
Disclaimer: I’m not trying to show off that I got the job within few months, so please don’t push yourself on anyone else’s deadline. People have done it in 1 month and also even in 1 year. It actually depends on your own pace, everyone is unique. I’d urge you to evaluate your options and find the path that works for you to get into this field. Keep trying, and have patience..
If you’re willing to be an autodidact and push your creative limits daily, then you’ll fit in just fine, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Conclusion
Dare to take risk, do it for yourself — move towards your goal, listen to your gut! Learn and make mistakes, only these mistakes takes you there.
As you’ve probably already noticed there are many skills required to become a designer — unfortunately, there are absolutely no short-cuts, no magic recipes— it’s all your dedication, hard work, a lot of patience, practice and passion to learn.
Design is a field where you need to keep learning and unlearning a lot of things.
Trust me everyone is different and have a different journey to reach their goals..So if you are someone who is looking to change their profession or career into something different, go for it!
I hope you’ve learned something from this article and, got motivated to take that moon-shot! Go for it!!. Wish you all of the best and good luck in your new profession! Show some love by hitting that clap button 😊