Going from small to big.

14 key takeaways from my Designer journey. Switching from small local web design firms to software development companies.

I recommend this article to those who consider getting into the software development industry, in one of the various Designer roles that are available, regardless of the current seniority level or industry they work in.

Background

I started to design random things on my computer at the age of 16, when Windows ’98 was still a thing. The gear was a Pentium 133 with a 14" CRT screen and a mouse with a ball. Low-range phones from our days are space rockets compared to that.

I hadn’t decided what career path I was going to follow after graduation until I brought my first PC. And then this software called MetaCreations Painter struck me. I got fascinated by the rich visual effects you could apply to images. My Design Odyssey had begun…

Fast Forward

After designing as a hobby for a couple of years, my career started at a local print shop. Soon after, I switched to web design agencies. Shifting towards software development companies was a natural step. Initially, I joined small programming firms that were covering the local market, and later on, I got hired by larger corporations with a wide spectrum of international clients.

My path started as a Graphic Designer, then I went on to being a Web Designer, followed by transitioning to UI Developer, UI and UX Designer. Then, for the last almost 5 years I’ve been the Design Team Lead at RebelDot. In the meantime, I’ve become a proud husband and dad as well.

What Have I Learned Since Working for Software Companies?

The checklist is pretty long, as the distance I’ve travelled on the road of design in organisations is a lengthy one. Below are 14 of the most important lessons learned:

1. Stick to at least a minimum amount of processes. Invent them if there are none in your organisation. Improve them if there is room on the existing ones. Following processes ensures consistency.
2. Adapt your design workflow to the company’s global work methodology. Or vice-versa, if you have the power. Bring your own value. Get better outcomes with higher standards. Stick to industry standard procedures like Agile, Design Sprints or Design Thinking.
3. Include discipline in your daily routine. It will bring order into the chaos of multiple tasks and projects that you encounter.
4. Fine-tune the accuracy of your work. Master your performance speed while you keep your mental health on the right track. Work as if you’ll die tomorrow and leave no room for misinterpretation in your deliverables.
5. Raise your action’s accountability. Step ahead and take responsibility for whatever you decide or deliver. Grow up when it comes to your style of working. Improve on the art of estimating your own work.
6. Some clean and some dirty, but politics are present in all companies. They manipulate and influence you without even noticing. At the same time, they are protecting you from lots of disruptive and negative info, by hiding them from employees. Accept company politics as they are — in most of cases, you don’t have the capability to change them.
7. Mid-year or annual performance evaluations, if they are well “designed”, can serve you as a benchmark for your own work. Many companies tie the salary discussions to them. Equally important is to hold regular one-on-one meetings, so that you can get real-time feedback.
8. Meetings, meetings and meetings. Depending on the organisational culture a company promotes, the number of disruptive/creative meetings can vary. Some meetings reach their purpose and therefore can be considered as being constructive; others are set just for the sake of meetings. Also, when there is a need to talk with too many attendees, why not cc’ing everybody…? Yet, many valuable details will get to you through these discussions.
9. Communication, on all levels, is of vital importance. It’s like an aeroplane’s embedded electronics. If two, apparently minor and independent components don’t “speak” to each other or to the main control system, chances are there will be a major defect and it may lead to a fatal crash.
10. Continuous learning masters expertise. Dedicate time to read and study. Seek more knowledge. Keep up with the latest news and technologies.
11. Design tools are developed and improved at a very high pace nowadays. You’ve got to be versatile when it comes to these appliances. Master the mainstream ones. Keep your eyes open for the new ones.
12. Enter the team play. Build fellowship with your team members, support your combined work. Stay pro. Work hard. Pay respect to your multidisciplinary group.
13. Bond with your teams. Don’t criticize unless it’s needed. Celebrate success, hang out with your coworkers and go wild. Make friends.
14. Don’t use the F word in the office. Frequent swearing may offend bashful people and/or lower your cultural rating. Usage exception: when you want to super-highlight a point and can’t find other clever words for that… or people clever enough to understand elevator pitches. :P

In a Nutshell

Performing UI and UX Design in the software development industry comes with many responsibilities and specific traits that you need to assimilate. But the effort to get in this strange wonderland is fully worth it, the destination is as charming as the route to it.

As Jared Spool said, this is the best time to be a Designer!

I hope to get a glimpse of what this industry is like, made you crave to make a switch to this world.
See you later!

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