A career-changing lesson my boot camp didn’t teach me
Nine years ago, I joined a design boot camp.
It cost me $8000.
They taught me five tools.
Wireframing, flowcharts, storyboarding, paper prototypes, and guerrilla testing.
I thought I'd leave confident and ready to tackle any design project.
But I opened my notes at work… I was still lost.
"Which of these five tools should I use?"
I had no idea.
The boot camp taught me what the tools were but not when, why, or how to use them in different scenarios.
I was back where I started. Confused and unsure how to move forward with my project with $8,000 less.
The real skill in design
Knowing design tools and methods isn't the hard part.
We can all ask Chat GPT what design tools and methodologies product designers should know.
The real skill?
Choosing the right tool for the job.
It's about understanding your projects:
unique needs
goals
constraints
And selecting a method that drives the right outcome.
Here's how I do it in three steps:
Understanding what stage of the process you're in.
Choosing a method that directly supports that goal and fits your project constraints.
Build a library of tools
Once you master this, you'll make more confident design decisions without second-guessing yourself or picking tools based on guesses or what is popular.
#1 Understand what stage you're in
Every design project moves through stages.
Each of these stages has a different goal.
The key is to select design tools and methods that align with your project stage.
Stage: Discovery
Goal: To learn about the user's problems and the project details.
Example tools/method:
User Interviews – Understand user experiences and pain points.
Stakeholder Interviews – Capture business goals and constraints.
Stage: Definition
Goal: To clearly define the problem and direction you will focus on.
Example tools/method:
Problem Statements – Articulate the core user problem.
How Might We Questions – Reframe challenges into opportunities
Stage: Ideation
Goal: To generate multiple ideas and ways to solve the project problem.
Example tools/method:
Brainstorm Workshops – Collaborate with the team to generate ideas.
Written Concepts – Rapidly describe solutions.
Pro tip: Always choose a method that directly supports your desired outcome.
Don't fall into the trap of using trendy methods (e.g., personas) if they don't move your project forward.
How do you know if you picked the wrong method? If you feel stuck in your project, unsure of the next step, or unsure what to do next, you probably didn't use the correct method.
The key to effective design is selecting tools that directly support the stage's goal.
Avoid the trap of trendy methods that don't add value.
#2 Factor in constraints and context
Not every method works for every situation. Don't default to commonly used methods, as they may not be appropriate for your project. You must ensure you pick the appropriate methods based on the context of your project.
Things such as:
deadlines
project scope
constraints
resources
All will influence which method is practical to pick.
For example, with time constraints:
If your project is 5 weeks long, you may not have time for an in-depth research study.
Methods like expert reviews, heuristic evaluation, or secondary research may be more appropriate in this case.
What to do:
List your constraints: Consider time, team size, stakeholder involvement, access to users
Match methods to constraints: Select the tools and method that fit within the limits you've listed (this will vary for every project)
Be realistic: You won't always have the perfect design process. Constraints shape what is possible, so focus on what delivers the best outcome within your limits.
Strong designers don't need ideal conditions. They make the best of what they have.
Design isn't about having unlimited resources. It's about making smart choices within constraints.
#3 Build your library of design tools & methods
The best designers don't just rely on one-size-fits-all tools and methods.
They build their toolbox of methods from experience.
You can start your toolbox today.
1. Open up Notion
2. Add the different stages of the design process
3. Start listing tools and frameworks in each stage
Where to find them?
Observing other designers: I watched how they worked on their projects and what methods they used
Researching online: There are huge amounts of tools you can access online
Borrow from other industries: My library's tools include marketing, product, and sales.
I started my first toolbox on a sheet of sticky paper that I had on my wall for years. Whenever I came across a new tool or framework, I would note it down on a Post-it note and add it to the wall.
I digitalized this years later.
Here's the only photo I have of it. I've drawn on the double diamond so you can get a better idea.
Pro tip: Do not fall into the trap of collecting tools and methods. You must test them. A method that sounds great in theory may fail in practice. I say this from experience.
Your toolbox will grow as you do. Over time, you'll instinctively reach for methods that deliver results.
Trust that process.
Use a side project or your project at work to test a new method or tool every few weeks.
Conclusion
Yes, tools and frameworks are important.
But remember, your role as a designer isn't to be a 'master of tools and frameworks.' Your role is to solve problems and make decisions.
Tools and frameworks exist to help you to do that.
The tool is the vehicle to get you to the outcome.
It's a means to an end. Not the end itself.
P.S
Don't get caught up in using the "right" tool. Focus on achieving the right outcome.
Great design isn't defined by the method you use.
It's defined by the impact you made.
