The Harsh Reality of Being a UX Designer

UX Design isn't all sunshine and rainbows. This job and overall industry is filled with some frustrating challenges and obstacles.

And if you're considering spending your time and hard earned money on becoming a UX Designer, then you should know all the positives and negatives.

It's important that you get a full picture of what being a UX Designer could be like.

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*CHAPTERS*
00:00 - Intro
01:16 - Design By Committee
02:53 - Debates
04:47 - Confusing Words
05:55 - Presentations

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[delicious_seabass]

I've been a UX designer for like 20 years now, give or take. Here's some additional advice: As a beginner, you need to learn very quickly that you aren't designing for yourself, you're designing for the client/stakeholder/company and the users. If you want a fancy project to put into your portfolio, that's great, but work on it in your spare time. Secondly, if you want to be highly valued, you must be multi-skilled. If all you can do is talk about UX, but you need someone else to translate your ideas to visual designs, I wish you the best of luck, but you won't last long. Third, you should have an excellent understanding of the platform and tech you're designing for. Go use the device, read the guidelines, and test your work on it. Fourth, you should be able to communicate with devs as well as you communicate with the business unit. Learn the lingo, learn some programming in your spare time, learn what libraries they are using, what limitations they have, how much work is involved. And lastly, don't go to a company that doesn't understand or value UX or UX design. You may find yourself either doing work you didn't sign up for, or worse, doing work no one asked for. Also one big red flag to watch out for: If you ever find yourself working on marketing material, just GTFO and find a new job.

[ABSVabeautifulsunsetvlog]

The biggest thing is letting go of any ego and understand that it’s a job, you’re not trying to change the world. Maybe because I’m older (42) I understand that jobs are simply that, we have hobbies to bring meaning to our lives, jobs simply provide a lifestyle. Once you can understand and embrace that you’ll be much better off in life generally. And that doesn’t mean that you have to hate your role, but people who go in looking for roles that are going to bring meaning to their lives are really setting themselves up because for most people life simply doesn’t offer that.

[ReDrac]

First job as a UX designer in a product team for almost a year now.
One thing i found very necessary is asking questions. Even if its a dumb question, even if you might know the answear, ask to get the full picture, dont leave anything unansweared.
The same principle is applied when youre explaining a design for handoff or in a meeting.
In short, being a critical thinker and communicating clearly.

[subhadipdey]

I am graphic designer by profession. and I am surprised by the fact that we graphic designers face the exact same thing in our daily lives and it is frustrating some time, but when you love your job, it doesn't matter.

[gc_marcelli]

After recently leaving a job as a product design manager, this is the video that I wanted to make. YouTube is littered with "How to become a UX Designer without an education" and "A Day in the Life of a UX Designer" and they're very often not at all accurate to what the job entails. One of the first books I purchased way back was "Articulating Design Decisions" and it's one of the first books I recommend to young designers or prospective UXers. Thank you for making this video!

[jasoncasimiro]

Andres, I absolutely love this!

The reality is UX is a challenging but rewarding field. Part of the fun is figuring out these solutions for your client, and being able to navigate through the hardships is something you need to come to terms with in this field. I agree that it may not be "right" for certain people, but people also need to know that it comes down to your mindset and how you view UX.

If you're stuck on thinking that UX is an easy gateway to a high paying job, you need to bring yourself to reality because what ever these bootcamps are telling you is not true. You need to put in the work and push through the hardships to be successful in this field (and many others TBH). There's no shortcut to greatness, only hard work and commitment.

Appreciate you releasing this video man, and happy new year to you! Let's all keep growing and getting better.

[abcdefu]

I know I’m much more of a UI designer than UX, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but sometimes people make it seem like there is. UI involves research as well, it’s a lot more than just making an interface pretty. There has to be reasoning behind your visual design decisions as well, otherwise there’s no need for it. I wish people would start emphasizing the importance of UI just as much as UX because at the end of the day they go hand in hand.

[taniaalexieva]

If you get attached to ideas easily and can’t let them go and work with restrictions unless you’re confident these restrictions actually apply you won’t be happy in UX design. I see a lot of designers that get stuck when their ideas get rejected and they deliver something they don’t like or even believe it’s ugly - often out of frustration that they were rejected. You need to be able to separate your work from yourself and then you’ll be a (potentially)good UX designer that can work with different requirements and restrictions without feeling suffocated and actually deliver original solutions.

[HardlyTalk]

This is absolutely spot on and timely. The hard stuff about ux/ui field. Being a professional who started out as a researcher and then transitioned into design I can tell you it's the small things that appear useless that mostly end up messing up a design project.

Things I have found out and that are still a problem are

1. Communication: This is a huge and important aspect of a UX project from the research stage. How you communicate with stakeholders, within teams, your decisions is important. Proper, well structured communication helps you smooth out major issues and all be on the same page with your expectations. As a designer it's your duty to communicate your thoughts, decisions especially when it comes to making trade-offs articulately. A good pointer is to break down information in a way that is digestible for everyone, using jargons that you don't bother explaining is the quickest way to cause chaos.

[breu.design]

Okay so why not labelling the video "UI/UX is not for everybody, here's why" instead of the clickbaity, dramatic headline "Don't do xyz" that literally pops up everywhere right now? Other than that, amazingly produced video with a lot of original, fresh elements that tell a great story. Good job on that, Andres.

[rachelhow]

The video is so well produced! Top notch quality here, Andres! Thanks for sharing your POV with the community :)

[davec]

I have 10+ years experience in UX. I was thinking about making a video about 'all the things you didn't know you had to be as a UX designer:
User researcher
Copy writer
Negotiator
Project manager
Graphic designer
Presenter
Diplomat
etc etc
:)

[__jake.m]

The funny thing is, these "harsh realities" of UX design is making me more excited to learn more about it. Let's see where things take me. Thank you, Andres!

[CookieMonstro]

I’m lucky to say the least as to how I came into UX.

I was an artist turned graphic designer turned brand specialist turned brand consultant turned customer service expert turned web designer turned project manager turned UI Systems turned UX Librarian turned UX designer turned UX Lead.

It’s a process but you have to build knowledge across a lot of fields to get where you want to go.

I can’t speak for everyone but my own experience, but for most the entrepreneurial route is the fastest way to get jobs from friends, family, local professionals where you can bring your knowledge to help them. Once you gain that experience, you’re a consultant on your resume, which can help land job roles.

Every market is different, been doing this for 15 years. I’m blessed, grateful and humbled where I am today.

For those struggling, go out there and build case studies out of ordinary small businesses and use that to build your portfolio. Stop waiting around for the best job, you’ll never get it! The best job is doing it gorilla style and learning and applying and establishing yourself.

Network network network. Build wisdom and experience and continue to self develop. School is archaic and technology advances faster than what books can teach you.

Best of luck. You got this!

[rishabhshrm]

I think ux design helped me improve my communication skills as it requires to discuss more with stakeholders which i could not have achieved without this profession.

[mada_mada_]

The points you have presented are relevant to all creative professions, not limited to UX. As a landscape architect with a decade of experience, I can vouch for the similarities. It appears that the essence lies in the work itself, the level of enjoyment, and the team dynamic. When confronted with such challenges, a positive and cohesive team environment can make the task more manageable.

[ESPN.A.Smith_]

I’m definitely feeling the effects of being a self taught UI/UX Designer. I’m a junior who’s been struggling to find meaningful work. I did a UX internship 3 years ago and it was the last relevant design role I’ve had. I’ve lost count of how many interviews, design challenges I’ve done, portfolio improvisations, etc. Basically, I’ve come to grips that by the end of Q1, if I can’t find anything design related, I’m waving the white flag.

[RiSkyNick]

The presentation part doesn't sound so bad if you enjoy the work of designing, and you're able to talk about why you designed something the way you did. Presentations only seem daunting when I don't like the work, or have no passion for the results.

[m_wayne]

Just wanted to say thanks Andres, I was clueless last year when I want starting with Ux your "How I Became A Self-Taught UX Designer In 3 Months" video gave the guide and will power to do it. I am currently working on my 2nd case study and I am hoping I will get a job soon.Thank you so much Andres you r a G.

[Beelaim]

Extremely challenging job, alot of debates. And also always having to reassure people that we are doing the right thing. This is especially hard when going head to head with someone with a firm belief that their way is the best. But without anything to back that thesis up. This a big one for me personally, alot of struggles back and forth.