My Life as a Designer in the Past 8 Months — mistakes and learnings
The Shift:
Design went from a solo flight to a team mission. Pre-job, it was creative freedom. Now, collaboration is king. I work with teammates (product owners, developers) to navigate the real world of product development.
Challenges & Growth:
This comes with hurdles — technical limitations and constant learning. I face problems, understand missteps, and grow from them.
Advocacy vs. Compromise:
A key lesson is advocating for design decisions while respecting constraints. Initially, I might have accepted changes too readily. But compromised designs can hurt users and deflect blame.
Imposter syndrome (The Voice of Doubt):
This self-doubt can be brutal, especially when collaborating. Despite user research and a user-centered approach, I find myself questioning my abilities. Did I just get lucky on that project? are my designs really good enough?
Unsure Footing:
This self-doubt makes defending my design choices difficult. It’s a constant battle between believing in my work and the fear of being exposed as an imposter.
Finding My Voice (work in progress):
I’m still figuring out how to navigate this. Maybe it’s about focusing more on the user research and the data that supports my designs. Perhaps I need to practice presenting my ideas more confidently.
The Journey Continues:
This shift from solo designer to a collaborative one has its challenges, but it’s incredibly rewarding. By working together, advocating for the user, and learning from mistakes, I’m becoming a better designer.
The Noise:
Collaboration comes with advice from everyone — delivery managers, QA engineers, etc. It’s important to filter this advice and trust my own design instincts.
Believe in the process:
Even when that itch to skip straight to design hits. Trust me, rushing in without context leads to…well, boring designs. Take the time to research, explore tons of ideas, gather inspiration — don’t be afraid to borrow (and improve!) from what’s out there. Then, sprinkle in your own magic and deliver it with confidence.
Last but not least, put in the effort and the hours. It’s all part of the design journey — improvise, adapt, and create something amazing!
Don’t sweat the perfect path. In design, it’s the messy stuff, the ups and downs, that teach you the most. That’s when you gotta wing it and learn on the fly. That’s how you really grow as a designer!
Thanks for reading
