My Design Journey: The Thought, Work, and Outcome.

Emmanuel Michael
Bootcamp
Published in
3 min readFeb 20, 2023

It was a daunting task, to say the least, when I decided to venture into the world of product design. I had little or no idea as to what I was doing, and everything seemed to be a blur. The thought of quitting crossed my mind countless times, and I was tempted to give up on my dreams.

But something kept pushing me forward. A nagging feeling deep within me, a voice that whispered, “Don’t give up, keep going.” And so, I did. I took baby steps, trying to learn as much as I could, seeking guidance from anyone who was willing to help.

I scoured the internet for resources, books, and articles on product design, trying to grasp every bit of information that I could find. I tried to emulate the works of successful product designers, studying their designs, and understanding their thought processes. I took online courses, attended workshops, and conferences, trying to improve my skills and broaden my knowledge.

It wasn’t easy, and there were days when I felt like giving up. Days when it felt like I had hit a wall, and there was no way forward. But I refused to quit. I knew that if I wanted to be successful in this field, I had to be consistent and committed.

It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.” - Anthony Robbins

So, I pushed on. I kept learning, designing, and refining my skills. I started to take on small projects, trying to apply what I had learned. I made mistakes, but I learned from them. I sought feedback from clients and other designers, using their comments to improve my work.

And slowly but surely, things started to fall into place. My designs began to get noticed, and I started to get more job requests. My confidence grew, and I began to see the results of my hard work.

Looking back, I realize that consistency and commitment are the key ingredients to success in product design. It’s not enough to have talent or passion. You have to be willing to put in the work, day in and day out. You have to be willing to learn, to fail, and to keep going.

Yes, keep going, my friend. No matter how difficult it may seem, don’t give up on your dreams. Remember that success is not achieved overnight. It takes time, patience, and hard work.

Product design, like any other field, requires consistent effort and a commitment to improving your skills. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, as they are an essential part of the learning process. Seek feedback, learn from your experiences, and keep pushing forward.

There will be days when you feel like you’re not making progress, and you’ll be tempted to quit. But those are the moments when you have to remind yourself of why you started in the first place. Keep your eyes on the prize, and don’t let setbacks deter you from your goals.

Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you. Seek out mentors and peers who can offer guidance and insights. And most importantly, believe in yourself and your abilities.

In the end, success in product design is not just about creating beautiful designs. It’s about solving problems and making people’s lives easier. It’s about understanding your users’ needs and creating solutions that meet those needs.

So, keep going, my friend. Keep learning, keep designing, and keep pushing yourself to be the best product designer you can be. Remember that success is not just about talent, but about consistency, commitment, and a willingness to learn and grow.

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With love from my heart❤️

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Emmanuel Michael
Bootcamp

A design advocate with the drive to push impact through design