A Reminder to Myself

Things to keep in mind as I continue my journey as a UX designer

Openness: No battle can be fought alone; the best ideas come from a village, no matter who the person is. Embrace the ebbs and flows, and let the process be a guiding light. Welcome suggestions and constructive criticism and remember that everything is the best interest of the user, not as criticism of yourself as a person or designer. Always employ a growth mindset, and accept that everything is a learning opportunity to flourish. Be humble and actively listen to others.

Empathy: (n) the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Put yourself in the shoes of the user to firmly grasp their goals, needs, and frustrations to make decisions that will create the best possible experience for them. Don’t be frivolous, but also delight them with an experience that they never knew was missing. Remember that you are not just designing for yourself and your personal bubble; think deeply about how every small detail will impact the whole.

On the other side, have empathy for other designers. Understand how they came to their conclusions when new apps, websites, or features are pushed live instead of simply criticizing them; no decision is ever made lightly. Dissect their thought process and learn from them to inform your own choices as a UX designer.

Curiosity: Reach for the stars. Let user data inspire and allow you ask the important questions about how a problem can be solved. Let others inspire you and continue to ask why until you reach that “a-ha!” moment together.

Amplify: No one thought or comment is unimportant. Use your voice to amplify the needs of the users you’re designing for. Be the advocate for the people who aren’t in the room; stand up for them and stand firm on how and why specific decisions are made to create experiences that resonate.