Information that will change our lives. ;)

Water Cooler
#138

Where in the world are you?
I’m from the UK. Yes, that place of wonderful weather and tea.

What stage of your career are you at?

Early stages, I think. Only been working as a UX and Service Designer for two years although I have been in technical roles and the arts/culture sector for about a year and a half before that.

What are you current challenges?

Although I primarily see myself as a UX designer, due to the nature of my role, my current challenges are mostly about improving my UI design skills. I find it difficult to come up with killer UI designs when given a set of requirements, especially when I don’t have access to users/customers to test design ideas on or to create user journeys and workflows. I think it’s partly because I’m not from a proper ‘design’ background (though I am an artist, I studied Physics at Uni) so there’s lots of things I’m still learning!

What aspect/s of UX are passionate about?

Making complex processes user friendly and accessible; using design to make data easier for people to digest - I’m really into citizen science, open governance, social justice and so on. Basically anything interesting and interdisciplinary!

Cats or dogs?

Why not both? :wink:

#139

Hello, I’m Jeremy, from Atlanta, GA. I have over 15 years experience in design and UX. Currently trying to nail down a solid intake / project management process for a brand new UX Team. I understand the UX process just fine, trying to figure out how to manage multiple projects…while letting team members excel in their area of expertise. I am passionate about design and happy users. Definitely dogs. Thank you, Jeremy

#140

Hi @finokoye – welcome. :slight_smile:

You might find this article interesting.

Hey @jeremypass, great to have you on board, esp with all that experience under your belt. [quote=“jeremypass, post:139, topic:669”]
while letting team members excel in their area of expertise.
[/quote]
I love this.

#141

Hi, I’m in San Francisco, CA.

I’m an experienced designer, but new to UX. I do have a background in human factors which translates pretty well. My current job has some overlap, mostly in the visual design aspects.

My current challenges… There is such a wall around these tech companies. It’s really hard to get a foot in the door.

I’m most passionate about using UX to create real change in education IoT, or maybe some intersection of the two.

I love both cats and dogs, but right now I’ve got two cats.

1 Like
#142

It’s just as hard to get out. :wink:

Great to have you on board Tonie. Is there anything specific that we can help you with at the moment?

1 Like
#143

A post was split to a new topic: Zonya’s UX Story

#144

That is such a brilliant link, thank you @HAWK :smiley: I already feel so uplifted - I’m currently working on a redesign project and wanted to show some proposals about different directions the product could potentially go in (and thus justify putting time into research and prototyping). There is some truly lovely stuff there!

1 Like
#145

  1. Johannesburg, South Africa

  2. I have 19 years experience in the tech industry and been working as a project manager for the last 10+. Started getting really interested in UX about 1 year ago and have studied David Travis’ Ultimate Guide to UX and Usability Bootcamp. Been applying the teaching at work for a few months now and really adding value which is great. Hoping to move permanently into a UX role. Almost done with an MBA but wish it was a UX course!

  3. Current challenges include getting “buy-in” to implement user-centered design and UX. A few managers buy in but it’s not seen as absolutely essential. Although I’ve been getting great feedback I suffer from “imposter syndrome” a little bit. I’m desperate to get more credibility through certifications, immersive courses and a kick-ass portfolio.

  4. I love the deep insights and “ah-ha” moments you get from interviews and usability tests. I do love visual design but don’t have the skills yet. It’s something I’d love to learn

  5. Dogs

#146

We all do. :slight_smile:

Welcome Anton. Look forward to hearing more from you.

1 Like
#147

Where in the world are you?
Thousand Oaks, CA

What stage of your career are you at?
I guess I’d very humbly say that I’ve made it to the “leadership” stage of my career. I’ve been a part of 3 very successful startups in leadership positions and now I’m a co-founder at a UX / User Onboarding centric startup called Chameleon

What are you current challenges?
One of my biggest challenges right now is one that the UX / onboarding industry has as a whole. In a lot of instances we don’t fit into a “box” in the business hierarchy. There seems to be a divide that lives between Product and UX and Design and chasm is probably the biggest problem that I’m trying to solve in my current work.

What aspect/s of UX are passionate about?
I’m passionate about the role the UX plays through the cascading journey of customers. From the moment they experience your brands marketing to their contract renewal UX plays a monster role. I’m passionate about sharing how exactly UX impacts all parts of the customer lifecycle and evangelism for UX as an incredibly important part of building successful products.

Cats or dogs?
Both. 2 Kids too.

#148

Welcome @michael1 – Chameleon looks awesome!

1 Like
#149

:joy: Thanks Hawk. I actually just posted a long question in the course thread. I’m shopping for an online mentored program so I can build some portfolio projects.

1 Like
#150

Hi Hawk,

Thanks for the welcome message, I’m from the UK in a quiet little town about 50 miles from London.

I’ve been a designer for about 13 years, last 7, 8 years more focused on digital design.

Although I have probably designed over 100 websites in my career, I’m only recently starting to dig deeper into the UX site of websites. Its fascinating and so much to learn.

I really want to change my career and pursue an opportunity in London, but my portfolio hasnt got me anywhere. The criticism has been it only shows the end result and none of the thinking. I’m finding it a challenge as there are so many different ways to present the thinking!

For me the most rewarding part of UX, is the engagement that can be delivered/determined by how we approach a design/product. I enjoy creating Persona’s and stepping into the audiences shoes, its a great insight.

Dogs all the way! but cats are also pretty cool!

Where are you based? and is this community mixed from the world? Be great to meet some new UXer’s and share knowledge.

I’d love to meet with people local to me for meetups eventually.

Thanks
Fred

#151

Hey Fred, great to hear from you.
Hearing you on the portfolio dilemma. There are some inspirational portfolio examples in this topic.

Re meetups, jump into this topic. I’m happy to tweet something out to our wider audience if that’s helpful.

I’m in beautiful NZ – the rest of the UXMastery team are in Australia. And yes, this community is very much from all over the world.

#152

Thanks Hawk, really appreciate that. I’ll have a look and get inspired.

I’d love to go to Newzealand, beautiful place of the world.

I’ll be looking for meet ups in August so that would be great.

All the best and have a nice week.
Ben

1 Like
#153

Fred / Ben…
I have a few different nicknames:)

#154

Thought that might be the case. :wink: If you want to change your username you can do that here.

#155

Where in the world are you?
In an undisclosed, top-secret base of operations. Contact me directly to arrange a meeting place. I’ll be wearing the hat and fake moustache.

What stage of your career are you at?
Entry level. Working as a team-of-one currently.

What are you current challenges?
Managers don’t support me talking to users to conduct user research or usability testing.

What aspect/s of UX are passionate about?
Design!!! Wireframing, sketching, and prototyping.

Cats or dogs?
Both. One day I’d like to adopt a Golden Retriever or Huskie perhaps. There are so many dog breeds to research and analyse what’s best for you.

Question I made up: What’s your favourite tree?
I’m so glad you asked! My favourite tree is the sequiadendron giganteum; also known as the Giant Sequoia. If you haven’t seen one in Sequoia National Park, your life is not yet complete.

#156

Hi UX Community :slight_smile:

I live in Paris, France

I was digital account manager, now I’m UX designer, I found finally “my love job” and currently I am working for a provider of mobile, fixed, tv, internet services.

My current challenges is to convince people that UX it’s a necessary to do the best interfaces :slight_smile:
I want to acquire more experience and practices. I thirst for UX knowledge. There is always something to learn, and it’s very exciting.

I’m passionate about human behavior and making interfaces simple and useful for users

kitty :heart_eyes_cat:

3 Likes
#157

Could I recommend “The User Experience Team of One: A Research and Design Survival Guide” by Leah Buley? I won it as part of the Gold Member’s monthly prize payouts, and am finding it extremely well-written and relevant to UXer’s working solo. It’s written from a point of view that fits users early in their UX career to boot.

EDIT @HAWK, you should know I’m already putting my prize to good use :slight_smile: