10 lessons for UX/UI designers

As I was doing my yearly review as a designer last night, (don’t ask why I do it in September, January feels like too much pressure) and I found myself reflecting on the past 10 years of my journey as a UX/UI designer. Although there is a plethora of online content regarding how to become a UX/UI designer, including which tools to learn and what skills to develop, there is much more to being a designer than just mastering these techniques.

I feel there are general lessons which are important to learn.. or maybe I should call them principles, who knows? But anyway, after 10 years, I wanted to share 10 of my important lessons, hoping they may help you for your next 10 years!

🌟 Always explain the ‘why’ 🌟

Don’t just explain the what. What design idea, what design tool, and what outcome? Explain the WHY. Let others understand your rationale. It will make your life so much easier. And theirs.

💚 Listen to learn, not to respond 💚

When interacting with someone, try to listen to learn from them. Instead of thinking of what you can say in response, focus on what new information or perspective you can gain from the conversation. This approach can be applied when interacting with users, stakeholders, or teammates. It can help you gain insights that you might not have otherwise considered.

🧠 Being closed-minded is a fixed mindset trait. 🧠

Your perspective is based on your experiences. It is important to recognise that other perspectives and approaches exist. By being open-minded, you can grow both personally and professionally.

🎨 Never settle with your first idea. 🎨

It is essential to understand that the first idea we develop in the design process is often not the best. Therefore, iteration is crucial to improve the designs. Just like a muscle, creativity grows with more usage. Keep iterating, and let the process help you improve your techniques.

👑 Manage feedback gracefully 👑

It's essential to set aside your ego and handle feedback gracefully, even if you disagree. This will help you come across as a more professional designer.

🌍 Understanding the bigger picture is crucial 🌍

Having a clear understanding of the bigger picture is of utmost importance. This bigger picture could refer to the goals of the company, the metrics they are trying to achieve, or even the reasons why the company has decided to pursue a particular project. Equipping yourself with this context would help in your decision-making process.

💡 The most critical soft skill 💡

Develop your critical thinking skills. I talk about this often. Don’t follow instructions. Figure out the next step yourself. Learn how to think and how to make decisions.

🎁 Feedback is a gift 🎁

Don't be afraid of receiving feedback. Take advantage of every opportunity to ask for it. There may be many things you are doing or not doing that you need to be aware of. You can quickly identify these areas and make changes by letting people give you feedback. Feedback has had a profound impact on my life.

⚪️ Simplicity is key ⚪️

Simplicity when it comes to your designs. With the way you communicate. With the amount of information you add on a screen or a slide. If you’re unsure what to do, always default to the most straightforward option.

📈 A growth mindset will help with imposter syndrome 📈

Your identity should not be tied to being the best designer. Instead, it should be connected to being a learner. This means that you are doing great every time you fail or make a mistake because your job is to learn.

Conclusion

Ask yourself - what lessons have you learnt in your career?

Which of these resonated with you? Could you write it somewhere you can read it for a few days?