How I became a UX designer in my 30’s
(and how you can too!)
I think we can all agree that changing careers is scary. Exciting, but a bit terrifying. Okay, maybe very terrifying! 🙀
Even science agrees — The Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory lists changing line of work as the 18th most stressful life change in their Life Stress scale.
However, we can also agree that if you’re able to, changing to a career you’re passionate about can be one of the best decisions of your life. It certainly was for me.
So how did I, at the ripe old age of 34, land a job in a completely new field? Take a journey back in time with me, and let’s find out.
After finishing school, I, like most, had no real idea of what I wanted to do. I was interested in people and their stories, which lead me to a BA majoring in Communications and Psychology. I ended up doing my post-grad in Psychology, with a focus on research. After 5 years, I knew one thing for sure — I did not want to be a psychologist. I dipped my toes in a variety of industries, including event management, marketing and fashion buying. After a failed attempt of moving to the UK (turns out that while I love the cold, I also love the sun), I joined our family business. What initially was meant to be a short 6 months turned into 6 years, and I found my feet firmly set in the world of production.
There are many advantages to running your own business, and I learnt a lot about leadership, management and zinc spin casting (our factory produces small-to-medium metal components). But I didn’t feel fulfilled. A voice in my head kept whispering about other possibilities, other adventures, and I started to listen.
I heard about a remote-work travel programme, and my interest was immediately captured. The premise is similar to Contiki, but with remote workers. Remote Year advertised a 4-month trip through Latin America, with a focus on travelling while still working full time. With some imaginative problem solving we figured out how I could continue as the sales and marketing director of our factory while living in Latin America for 4 months. Time zones were a challenge, but with the support of my family, we made it work. And so, on 25th January 2019, I boarded a plane to Brazil. I didn’t know it yet, but this was the start of my journey into the UX world.
While exploring tacos and Pisco Sours (a delicious cocktail — highly recommended!), I got to know my fellow travellers better. I ended up chatting with a digital nomad who worked as a UX/UI designer. I had never even heard about this field before, but I was fascinated! It seemed to be the perfect mix of creativity and problem-solving. I did my research and spoke to as many people as possible. By the end of the trip, I was sure — I wanted to be a UX/UI designer.
But how does one go from factory manager to designer? Again, Google was my friend. I researched the plethora of online courses, certificates and bootcamps available. After a lot of comparing, I went with Thinkful’s (previously known as Bloc) immersive UX/UI Designer Track programme. It covered UX/UI and front-end coding, as well as career coaching and support when searching for your next job. I was paired with a mentor with whom I had weekly meetings and granted access to a Slack channel. I completed my course after 10 months, and then began the hardest part — job hunting. Throw in a global pandemic (thanks Covid!) and my timing couldn’t have been worse. Cue 6 depressing and difficult months.
Luckily for me, DVT emerged as a shining light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. After numerous (and I mean numerous!) unsuccessful applications and some futile interviews, I came across DVT’s Graduate Programme. It seemed like the perfect solution for me — a position focused on growth and learning, while also gaining client experience with the support of senior designers. Crossing all my fingers and toes I applied, and anxiously waited to hear back. The stars aligned, and after 2 interviews and a design challenge, I was offered a position. To say I was thrilled was an understatement! There was a small challenge of needing to relocate, but with the support of my family, I made it work. And so in March 2021, I officially joined DVT as a UX/UI Design Graduate.
I’m extremely grateful to DVT for taking a chance on me and giving me the opportunity to flex my design skills. I’ve also been paired up with some amazing senior designers who’ve been very generous with sharing their knowledge and helping me grow. They are truly the MVPs.
While I can’t offer a job to anyone, I’d love to share what I’ve picked up along the way. Perhaps this article has inspired you to make a change too, or you’d just like to dip your toes into the world of UX/UI and learn some more. Either way, I’ve compiled some helpful tips below.
Crack open that textbook
While bootcamps can offer a comprehensive deep dive into UX/UI, they are both expensive and time-consuming. But luckily there are lots of other online courses. I’ve found The Interactive Design Foundation to be a fantastic resource. They have a wide variety of courses, ranging from beginner to advanced. You’ll sign up for a year’s access, and then have unlimited access to the courses. The content is both current and engaging.
You can also further your knowledge by reading articles and other online resources. I’ll list some of my favourites below:
- Nielson Norman Group https://www.nngroup.com/
- Medium (https://medium.com/topic/ux)
- UX Planet (https://uxplanet.org/)
- UX Booth (https://www.uxbooth.com)
- UX Matters (https://www.uxmatters.com/)
Let’s get connected! 👋
Make LinkedIn your new best friend. Reach out and connect with designers across the world, and learn from them. I’ve found that designers tend to be generous with sharing their knowledge and helping to mentor newcomers to the field.
Get inspired 😍
If you’re looking for inspiration, you’re in luck! There are lots of platforms where you can see the work of other designers and get inspired.
- Dribbble
- Behance
- Instagram: While there are loads of UX designers on Instagram who are worth following, I’ll list some of the people who I’m following to get you started: Olia Birulia @uiuxdesigns; Ioana Teleanu @uxgoodies; Maureen @ux.collection; Trina @ux.forthewin; Samanta @samanta.ux; Yael @iamnotmypixels; Marisa @designteamofone; Mizko @themizko; Simon @uxtactics; Ran Segal @rensegall; @hackuniversity; @uxswipe; @uxbrainy
Practice makes perfect ✏️
Someone once told me that as a new designer, your 100 designs will be crap. Harsh, but most likely true. The idiom stands — practice really does make for perfection.
Luckily there are plenty of ways you can practice, even if you’re still job hunting.
- Undertake a design challenge: There are quite a few websites that offer design challenges — just take a gander, and get started! UX Tools Challenge; UX Challenge; UX Design Challenges
- Solve something around you: Create your own challenge. If you examine your daily life, I’m sure you’ll discover many examples of things that could be improved. So take a stab at it! You’ll also probably find the process more interesting as it’s something you have a vested interest in.
- Offer your skills to a charity or a local business: This can be a great way to have a real-life project included in your portfolio. It’s a win-win situation — you’ll get real experience, and the charity will get pro-bono design work.
Show your stuff! 🌟
When entering the field of UX/UI, it’s important you have a platform to showcase your work. Potential employers will want to see this alongside your CV. I coded my portfolio as it formed part of the bootcamp, but because I’m not really comfortable with coding, I’m moving it across to a WordPress site.
So what options do you have?
- If you enjoy coding, you could develop and host your portfolio on Github Pages.
- If like me, you don’t enjoy coding, there are a large selection of easy-to-use website builders: WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, WebFlow
- You could showcase your work on Behance or Dribbble (just be sure to include some case studies as well. Beautiful UI designs look great, but don’t show a potential employer your full skillset.)
- You can also create an offline PDF portfolio.
Any of the above options can work — the important thing is that it should be on a platform where you can easily and quickly update it.
Be a little bookworm 📚
There are many fantastic books you can read to learn more about UX. I’ve included some of the most recommended ones below:
- The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman
- Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug
- 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People by Susan Weinschenk
- Just Enough Research by Erika Hall
- Ruined by Design by Mike Monteiro
If reading’s not really your thing, then how about a podcast?
- Design Life
- The World of UX with Darren Hood
- 99% Invisible (this is not specifically about UX/UI, but rather a fascinating look at design in general)
- UX Podcast
- UI Breakfast
- What is Wrong with UX
- The NN/g UX Podcast
Have you got any more suggestions, or did I leave something out? Please let me know in the comments below. You’re also welcome to say hi 👋 and connect with me on LinkedIn.
