Posts tagged with “Career Advice

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Design’s Purpose Remains Constant

December 28, 2024  •  12 min readA stylized digital illustration of a person reclining in an Eames lounge chair and ottoman, rendered in a neon-noir style with deep blues and bright coral red accents. The person is shown in profile, wearing glasses and holding what appears to be a device or notebook. The scene includes abstract geometric lines cutting across the composition and a potted plant in the background. The lighting creates dramatic shadows and highlights, giving the illustration a modern, cyberpunk aesthetic.
Scary words for the UX profession: “Digital systems, not people, will do much of the craft of (screen-level) interaction design.” But here’s the truth—this isn’t the first time we’ve faced a shift like this. Just as we adapted from print to digital, and from CD-ROMs to the web, designers will evolve again. The tools may change, but the purpose of design remains constant. And that’s what makes our craft enduring.
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Breadth vs. Depth: Lessons from Agencies and In-House Design

December 17, 2024  •  9 min readA close-up photograph of a newspaper's personal advertisements section, with one listing circled in red ink. The circled ad is titled "DESIGN NOMAD" and cleverly frames a designer's job search as a personal ad, comparing agency work to casual dating and seeking an in-house position as a long-term relationship. The surrounding text shows other personal ads in small, dense print arranged in multiple columns.
Just as casual dating helps you figure out what you want in a relationship, working at agencies early in your design career lets you explore different styles, clients, and problems before settling down in-house. Drawing from my nearly three decades of experience on both sides, I've learned there's real value in starting broad before going deep.
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How to Put Your Stuff Together and Get a Job as a Product Designer: Part 3

December 8, 2021  •  8 min readIllustration of an interview
As a design hiring manager, I've seen what works and what doesn't in product design interviews. From nailing the screening call to acing design challenges, here's my insider perspective on how to present yourself effectively throughout the interview process.
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How to Put Your Stuff Together and Get a Job as a Product Designer: Part 2

December 7, 2021  •  6 min readIllustration of a portfolio
Your portfolio is often a hiring manager's first real look at your work. Learn how to create a compelling portfolio website that showcases your best projects through clear, focused case studies—while avoiding common pitfalls that can turn recruiters away.
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How to Put Your Stuff Together and Get a Job as a Product Designer: Part 1

December 6, 2021  •  8 min readIllustration of a resume
After decades of experience hiring designers, I've learned what makes candidates stand out. In this first part of a three-part series, I share essential tips for crafting your resume and LinkedIn profile to catch a hiring manager's attention. The key? Remember that design leaders are your users—we're busy people who need to quickly assess if you're the right fit.