5 ms·

I've had the same experience as you're describing: graphic designers who believe user experience is the same thing as art direction. There is a whole level of l

I've had the same experience as you're describing: graphic designers who believe user experience is the same thing as art direction. There is a whole level of learning they just don't get from the purely artistic, 'gut feeling' perspective. They can design beautiful branding, visuals, and print-ready elements, but it's seems hard for them to understand everyday users. I'm trying to move away from front end/software and into a more UX/Product design role. I think my experience is valuable because I have have good 'digital taste', user empathy, and desire to make data-driven decisions. I generally lack the graphic design skills of visual designers outside of wireframes and low-fi mockups, but I make up for it in the ability to bring together business, creative, and technology. UX is building a 'sweet spot' balance of those things.

varrock 7y ago
What made you want to make that transition from front-end software engineering into the UX role?
- codyogden 7y ago
  Sorry, this is a long answer. I haven't perfected my 'switch pitch' yet. lol I worked at a marketing agency from 2016-11 to 2019-06. Went from developer to 'Director of Software' in Jan 2019. Fancy title at a 15-person agency, really just part of the leadership team. I couldn't put my finger on what it was I wanted, and I thought I wanted to return to being an individual contributor to software. Management role was fine by itself, but I didn't feel like my seat had an end 'work product' result; and I also didn't feel valued since it was basically a dual role and was paid relatively poorly. Any given day, I was working with strategy (client), creative, marketing/copywriting, and software teams to get on the same page. I was doing all of these things: - story writing (user stories, criteria, and tests) - wireframing and workflows - low-fi mockups in Sketch - information architecture - data/analytics research - technical guidance I had input on every step of the process, from running ideation meetings with clients to launching new apps. And my work product was always well received and useful to every team. So, I departed for a startup earlier this year, but realized quickly I wasn't missing deep coding. I came to realize I was missing the work I was doing outside of my management role. I read more about ux/product design and the type of work involved really spoke to me. So, now I'm trying to figure out that transition professionally.
xikrib 7y ago
That's cool, I've made a recent switch from front-end to product design myself. I'm finding that my engineering background is an advantage over other designers without technical experience. And by the way, it's totally possible to learn good enough visual design skills to be effective. IMO the idea that only certain special people can be visual designers is part of the same false narrative that causes us to trust people with no technical understanding to design interfaces.
- codyogden 7y ago
  Thanks! It's cool to hear about other people who've made that same transition. I agree, the technology understanding is a big piece of how I want to present myself. Just a matter of finding the 'right' next position. Any resources you felt helped you in that switch?

varrock 7y ago

What made you want to make that transition from front-end software engineering into the UX role?

codyogden 7y ago
Sorry, this is a long answer. I haven't perfected my 'switch pitch' yet. lol I worked at a marketing agency from 2016-11 to 2019-06. Went from developer to 'Director of Software' in Jan 2019. Fancy title at a 15-person agency, really just part of the leadership team. I couldn't put my finger on what it was I wanted, and I thought I wanted to return to being an individual contributor to software. Management role was fine by itself, but I didn't feel like my seat had an end 'work product' result; and I also didn't feel valued since it was basically a dual role and was paid relatively poorly. Any given day, I was working with strategy (client), creative, marketing/copywriting, and software teams to get on the same page. I was doing all of these things: - story writing (user stories, criteria, and tests) - wireframing and workflows - low-fi mockups in Sketch - information architecture - data/analytics research - technical guidance I had input on every step of the process, from running ideation meetings with clients to launching new apps. And my work product was always well received and useful to every team. So, I departed for a startup earlier this year, but realized quickly I wasn't missing deep coding. I came to realize I was missing the work I was doing outside of my management role. I read more about ux/product design and the type of work involved really spoke to me. So, now I'm trying to figure out that transition professionally.

xikrib 7y ago

That's cool, I've made a recent switch from front-end to product design myself. I'm finding that my engineering background is an advantage over other designers without technical experience. And by the way, it's totally possible to learn good enough visual design skills to be effective. IMO the idea that only certain special people can be visual designers is part of the same false narrative that causes us to trust people with no technical understanding to design interfaces.

codyogden 7y ago
Thanks! It's cool to hear about other people who've made that same transition. I agree, the technology understanding is a big piece of how I want to present myself. Just a matter of finding the 'right' next position. Any resources you felt helped you in that switch?