My journey into Product Design and how you can get started too!

[@ansumannarzary6946]

I discovered your channel today through a blog saying top 15 designers! i like the quote you said at the end "its not about being happy, its about practicing happy"

[@HelloImAlexa]

Oooh awesome!! And yay, thank so much :)

[@julesm9081]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 congratulations on trying something new !

[@msonyoutube]

I've been watching your videos for a while and I just want to tell you how relieving it is to find out that you also have a graphic design background just like myself. A bit of a backstory: I have been a UX designer for 2 years now and every single time an engineer or product designer joins our team at work I feel so intimidated, I feel like I am probably not equipped enough to be a UX designer because my technical knowledge is probably more limited than people with product design and engineering backgrounds. I have been documenting my processes since a few months to set up my own youtube channel soon and I think I was still apprehensive thinking "As a graphic designer who has only recently turned into a UX designer how the hell am I going to bring any value to anyone?" But you are the only one so far who's videos have convinced me to take the big step forward anyway. I am thankful that your channel exists and that I was able to watch this today. Thank you Alexa. So much love and power to you.

[@JamieMPhoto]

I'm continuing my effort to get into UX/UI/Product Design, and this helps me regain steam after the mountains of rejections and frustration last year. I know it only takes one ... Onward! Thank you, and happy New Year!

[@HelloImAlexa]

Ohh I'm so happy to hear that Jamie! It does just take one. Keep going and know that I'm rooting for you. Happy 2020!!

[@JamieMPhoto]

@@HelloImAlexa Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@julesm9081]

Wow 😮 I am wanting to get in to UX

[@DesignGal]

This is crazy... I was going through some old memory boxes over the holidays also and found my own pros and cons list between going to regular college or design school! So funny. Thanks for sharing your story!

[@HelloImAlexa]

OMG no way?! That's amazing hahah 😍

[@julesm9081]

Wow which design school did you go to

[@danakurniawan5808]

so excited to finally see this after your insta stories! happy new year alexa :') this channel has been instrumental to keeping the faith in pursuing design x thank you thank you thank you. grateful for this in 2020.

[@HelloImAlexa]

Ohhh this all makes me so happy :) HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

[@roysimon8820]

thank you alexa

[@madebyymira]

thank you alexa for this video! i’ve been feeling pretty discouraged recently: i study industrial design at a college but the career fairs are focused for stem and cs students. also currently not having too much luck getting my first internship because i don’t have “enough experience” . but you’re so inspiring to me because my goal is to move back to the bay area after college to be a product designer, and hopefully i can have as much success as you!

[@HelloImAlexa]

Awe yes! It can be quite a challenge, especially get that first job. There are so many people to meet once you're back in the Bay Area, make sure to work on creating some connections :) And do what you gotta do to keep persevering. I'm rooting for you!! 🔥

[@maxblum9863]

I grew up in the East Bay, and went away to go to film school. 12 years later, I'm back in the Bay and just signed up for Springboard's UX/UI career track, which is how I found your channel. Excited for this next chapter!

[@HelloImAlexa]

oh yayyy! and good luck 🔥

[@nowthisiskeara]

Ah this is great to see! I just graduated with my BFA in Graphic Design and strive to gain a job in UX or Product Design. It's crazy right now trying to apply during a pandemic but hoping something (preferably in tech) comes my way soon! Keep up the great videos!

[@HelloImAlexa]

Oh yay! Yes work is hard right now but keep up the work and follow the energy. Thanks so much for the support :)

[@dimmy1315]

This video gives me a ton of hope. I am currently getting my HCI-MS and it feels like there is a colossal wave of rejection and uncertainty. I am going to do my best and attend student groups and career fairs even despite only having 1 project. Its nice to see UX designers/researchers like Alexa who admit they have had struggles.

[@HelloImAlexa]

Hi Dimitri, I'm so glad to hear my video resonated with you! Job interviewing is one of the most stressful things, keep your head up and keep connecting with people who can help you persevere through.

[@Novice0825]

Dimitri Williams Where are you getting your MS?

[@dimmy1315]

@@Novice0825 DePaul University in Chicago.

[@MariaKarpenko]

Thanks for sharing your journey into UX design, Alexa! Loved your journal entry readings :)

[@sadasa9]

This is your best video Alexa! Thank you! I am very much in a similar situation. I have a background in design, had to take a good two year off recovering from an injury living and working close to my doctors at the time. I want to go back in again and I know I can simply search the web on how to create a UI UX portfolio from scratch. Is there any source that you would recommend? I don't want to drop 10-15k on a bootcamp. I can't simply afford that since I went to a very expensive design school in Pasadena and I am still financially impacted by that...sigh...good times :)

[@HelloImAlexa]

Thank you so much!! I have some recommended resources on my website which has a bunch of free and low cost ways to learn but ultimately courses and university programs are going to be the most guided way to get in and create a portfolio which can help you land a job! everyone is different though and there are lots of people who get into the field with no formal experience. Link here: alexaleighh.com/resources -- hope that helps!

[@EdwardSayer]

great video. as others have pointed out, the humble, transparent quality to it is extremely engaging. an interesting observation for me is that although next to nothing about ux design (hci)

[@HelloImAlexa]

hahah yes there are not necessarily specifics in this video but these are in fact the three ways you get started in UX Design! If you look in the video description too I've included a link to some resources with some specific books, podcasts, courses, and classes to look into: www.alexaleighh.com/resources The bootcamp videos has a lot of good info too! Thanks for watching :)

[@jewlstheuniquecorn7455]

Hey Alexa, thank you for posting about your experience. I am currently a sophomore studying graphic design, which I enjoy but i'm thinking about the possibility of UX/UI Design, i'm not even sure how I heard about it. I'm taking design classes and learning about graphic design and advertising atm, but recently I have been trying to figure out exactly what UX/UI design is to see if it is something I would be interested in doing. I have watched a few of your other videos about the field. You mentioned hearing about UX/UI design through your school. I was wondering if that was a part of your design courses? From what I've heard it sounds like UX/UI design is related to computer programming and I wanted to know is it more design/ how much do you need to know about computers? Currently I am oblivious to the world of computers and I have heard programming mentioned in other videos. I am currently considering adding a computer science minor, do you think that would be helpful?

[@HelloImAlexa]

Helllllo! I learned about UX Design while in the Graphic Design department at the college I went to which was also a Design University. I've never had to learn computer science or coding to do my job as a Product Designer so unless you're interested in Software Engineering, I'm not so sure you should minion in Computer Science. I've got a resources page on my website that may be helpful for you. I reference some good UX Design programs that I'm aware of which people take to get into Product Design (mostly in the US). Check it out here: alexaleighh.com/resources Good luck!! 🔥

[@nycto16]

Happy New year Alexa! It's an amazing video, your story really inspires me... I want to study Multimedia Design (Animation and VFX).. hope i can easily get into UX/UI Product Design after this..

[@HelloImAlexa]

Hi there thank you so much!! Good luck, I'm rooting for yah 🔥

[@nycto16]

@@HelloImAlexa Thank you so much 💞 and yes multimedia design program also includes Graphic design, Web design & development hope it will help me getting into UX.. 🙂

[@katiehoang4247]

I love how humble and transparent this video is. Besides San Francisco, what other city has growing UX opportunities?

[@HelloImAlexa]

Thank you!! In the US, I know there a number of tech jobs in Austin, New York, Seattle, and maybe a few in Chicago too. Outside of the US, I know there are tech companies in Dublin, Melbourne, and Amsterdam too.

[@plain-bagel]

Denver too!

[@fatimachowdhry1654]

what about DC ?

[@angelicat1116]

I'm currently a graphic design student and also found an interest in UX design in the program !

[@HelloImAlexa]

Oh amazing 😍

[@diedd0]

Looking forward to this. Thanks for all your straightforward advice and information. So hard to find anyone sharing this type of info online without some sort of agenda. Question, I am trying to transition from a print/publishing role at a mid-sized company to a large tech company as a product designer. I am 31 and currently their Chief Creative Officer, but I fear that my skills won’t transfer 1to1. Should I look to get in as an entry level designer or should I aim for more of a senior level given my resume? My fear is that my portfolio mostly reflects the print and branding side (which I am giving myself 6 months to develop with actual client work in UX design) and that companies would prefer more experience with hard skills instead the vast soft skills that I would bring. Have you seen people make that transition? I don’t want to pivot to a new career and start from scratch, necessarily. I am defiantly open to it, but with a family and a mortgage it’s pretty much not a sacrifice I am able to make without hurting others. Any advice?

[@HelloImAlexa]

Hey David, thanks so much that all means so much to me. Really good question and I am not 100% sure how to help answer it for you since that hasn't been my path but in general I think you may need to look at more entry level jobs again. You may be able to look into mid-level roles too since you have a lot of experience already in design but it all depends on how skilled your UX Design work is. What do you think about that?

[@diedd0]

Hello, I'm Alexa I thought so. Just wanted to hear it from an expert. My UX work is serviceable, but as I am not accustomed to the nitty gritty of passing on assets, working with other product designers, or having that be my sole focus. My other question is. Should I am for a company like Facebook? or should I start off looking at smaller companies to get the experience first?

[@HelloImAlexa]

@@diedd0 It's really up to you with what you want. I recommend writing down goals as far as where you want to be at your career in 2-3 years and then try to map the companies who you think would help you accomplish those goals. That's usually a good place to start. Good luck!!

[@KushanthaCharuka]

Loved it ❤️ thanks for sharing your journey with us

[@leonbanks2538]

What uuuuup! Went over Guerilla User Testing today in class! Using tooooons of post it notes haha!

[@HelloImAlexa]

LOL yesss, I love it!! 😍

[@paolarenteria1395]

is graphic design a good major if I want to get into UX?

[@HelloImAlexa]

Right so I personally got into UX Design through Graphic Design but if you know you want to get into it there are majors like Interaction Design, Human Computer Interaction, etc… which may better prepare you. I def recommend doing your own research though and asking the schools themselves what they think!

[@naomifiro]

Sweet video. “Practicing happy”...thanks !

[@datmanUK]

Hi, I’m from the U.K and 40 years old. I’ve been designing websites and web apps for my company by being self taught and I can’t afford to leave my current job. I want to get better so I can commit evenings and weekends but I don’t know where to start. I want to know learn the professional way on how to design for different devices, how to design back end dashboard graphs and charts to show data like square space. Any tips please?

[@HelloImAlexa]

Hi there! Let's see, I hear you saying some things you want to be able to create, but what sort of job do you want? Why do you want to be able to design for different devices and to code dashboards. Are these aligned with a specific job or role that you are aiming for? I think the answer to that would help lead you down different paths. As far as learning on the weekends go, it's likely you'll be able to find something that works for you that's self guided that you can do online. Hope that helps for now! Let me know if you have any other q's.

[@HyeinCh6n9]

Do you think cognitive science degree could be relevant to UX design work as much as graphic design?

[@HelloImAlexa]

Hmm I dont have a degree in cognitive science so I can't really speak to that degree but I believe they are going to provide you with different skills. Graphic Design is going to be more of the craft and design frameworks skills and cog sci may be helpful on the psychology aspects

[@natashenanigans]

Hey Alexa! it might be a weird request but I am transitioning into UX/UI and I am very lost about how to dress as a designer and look appropriate in the office environment - granted, if we ever actually go back to that lol! But if you have a chance to make a post/video/advice, that would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[@HelloImAlexa]

Hello! Oh interesting. The short answer is, you're enjoyed to wear what you're comfortable with. I tend to dress in a more sporty-casual sort of way because that's what I like. I'd definitely consider making this sort of video! Thanks for the suggestion :)

[@natashenanigans]

@@HelloImAlexa oh that helps. I just wonder if it ever depends on your company, and if it does, is there some flexibility considering that you're a creative, after all. Thank you! Love your channel!

[@karihomevideo]

hi alexa! watching your video, i see myself right now. im currently nearing the end of my second year, when a lot of transfer deadlines have passed. i’m wondering, when did you transfer, and where? im from the bay area and i would love to stay local. this video gives me a lot of hope that i could really make the switch, so thank you!!

[@HelloImAlexa]

Hi there Kari!! In general, I think anytime you think is right to make a switch is totally fine and you should do it if it's right for you. I transferred to CCA after 2 years at a public school in Wisconsin. I spent 2.5 years at CCA.

[@GabiBorja]

Loved it! We live in the bay 🤗

[@ErinPurcell.design]

"practicing happy" 100000000000000%

[@BlackXSunlight]

I graduated college with a very different degree before I realized this is something I want to pursue. And I have no idea what to do about it. I know the work, I can do the work, but I don't have the degree a lot of these companies are looking for. I can't afford to go back to college, how do I even get my foot in the door?

[@HelloImAlexa]

If you have the work and know you can do the work then you need to start meeting people and building relationships. Find people to meet with, in person if possible, and for feedback, ask for help, and see what comes of it. "These companies" don't actually care much about where you got your education, you need to be able to show you can do the work in your portfolio first and foremost.

[@_daya.shankar_]

Hiii🙌.. Happy New year 🎉🎉 how are you??

[@fatimachowdhry1654]

Hi Alexa! I loved your video and I feel you...kind of in the same place where you were when wiritngt hat journal entry. I will be sending you a message ..hope you get it and reply! I loved this video , its very postive and inspiring

[@HelloImAlexa]

Hi Fatima, thanks so, so much. Chat more over email :)

[@toluwanimifavouronifade8702]

Hello Alexa, I love your videos and how it inspires me into product design but I would need your help in design schools that you feel would be the best in getting started with product design, I would love to get a response from you soon, thanks.

[@HelloImAlexa]

Thanks so much!! For schools and education I have my recommendations on my website: www.alexaleighh.com/resources Hope that helps!