Hello all!
Excuse me if I’m falling in here as a headless chicken, but that is exactly how I feel right now. Now, to make it a bit clearer to any poor person who might read this topic: I need an advice by UX designers.
Here is my problem: I’ve applied for a job at some firm as a web/graphic designer, which I, in fact am, if a little outdated and even a little bad. I still have a lot to learn due to a big pause I’ve had in learning the last 5-6 years. Damn things develop so fast that I felt like a total newbie when I looked at what’s new.
Anyhow, a firm called me for an interview, which I happily went to, only to be asked if I knew anything about working in Balsamiq. I stared blankly at the guy as I’ve never heard about the software before, but hey, it’s not like I know about all softwares out there. I clearly said what I did and didn’t know (never mentioned anything about UI or UX design, actually, said I have no idea about it). The guy asked me if I’d be ready to do a “test” for them. I said “Sure, why not?”, and in a couple of weeks I got an e-mail with a PDF mock-up/wireframe of 3 pages, obviously done in Balsamiq. Again, I stared at it. WTF was I supposed to do with it? Is it a website? An Intranet?? There were menus, icons, some tables… hmm… yes, obviously some work is done there, some dropdowns and searches. Okay, an Intranet with … an app? Do I do a PSD file, a JPEG design or do they need a HTML/CSS coding too? I mean… what??
I got absolutely NO information. Not about what it is, who are, or will be the users, what type of design they expect, what colors they like, how long and what exactly will the users do in there… NOTHING.
So I went by the supposed fact that there is nothing really important and they might want only to see if I can operate Photoshop? Fair enough, I did a fairly ugly, but modern design, based on their company’s existing website. Something between a web app and a website (like I supposed that was).
The feedback I got was: “It’s not good. UX elements need to be better placed, colors better, important things need to be highlighted, and design needs to be modern.” And after it all “It is an ERP system after all”. I mean, WHAT??? It was only THEN I realized they want an UX design from me. But… how?
So, as a total, absolute ignorant… I ask you… what the f** is my job here?
I was about to learn basics of UX anyways, because today it is simply impossible to ignore it completely if you’re in any type of design. But I really know nothing about it right now. How am I supposed to do a “good” design by their opinion if I’ve never done it before. Is it something that can be learned fast for one test?
Because, the more I read about it, the more I feel I will never learn it all.
Is this situation normal? I don’t feel it is, but you, experienced UX designers will know better.
I thank you in advance for any input you might give me. Any reduction of my ignorance and confusion will be greatly appreciated!
X