Although I still am an advocate for climate change and the environment, I opt for change. While I thrive on instant changes, my background in Sustainabilities Studies and Ecosystems and Human Impact required persistent patience.
One day, I came across the field of user experience and interface design. I googled for some recommended books on UX/UI. Since I had no previous knowledge, I wanted to familiarize myself with reading stories and examples. Although I am not a big fan of reading, I caught myself empathizing and enjoying Don Norman’s “The Design of Everyday Things”.
Here’s my favorite quote:
“Don’t criticize unless you can do better. Try to understand how the faulty design might have occurred: try to determine how it could have been done otherwise”.
This sparked my interest, and I decided to dive into the field of UX and UI.
Now that I’ve successfully graduated the 24-week immersive UX/UI design program, I’d love to share three tips I found super helpful.
1. Don’t expect to learn everything from scratch
The first week into the Bootcamp, I can’t express how much I was glad to have familiarized myself with Adobe XD, Illustrator, and Sketch. I started my initial journey by taking some Udemy courses on design tools.
Check out Daniel Walter Scott’s series of Adobe essentials and Andrew Eddy’s course on Sketch.
With their help, I focused solemnly on the project’s scope- while some of my peers had to juggle between learning a new design tool while absorbing information on our first project.
2. Learn to give & receive constructive feedback
I honestly learned about constructive feedback 4–5 weeks into the design program. I remember my first critique session filled with ongoing “I love…” or “I like XYZ.” While sugar-coated compliments boost confidence, it didn’t really aid in our growth.
To make the most out of feedback sessions:
- be prepared with a focal point
- make sure to share different methods/paths you’ve used/taken- what worked or what didn’t work
- be ready to learn from different perspectives
Once you’re comfortable with feedback sessions, you’ll soon find yourself significantly improved since having some fresh pair of eyes is a great advantage.
3. Prioritize your growth by taking the initiative
Because Bootcamps are pricey, I want to emphasize this last tip.
Make sure you’re dedicated, motivated, and galvanized. You are the one sitting in the driver’s seat, not the program. Seek help and resources from your instructors and peers. I used to feel shy and worried. But you know what? There are no ‘dumb’ questions, and if you’re curious, know that there are few others on the same boat too.
I hope these tips were helpful, and thank you for reading!
