This simple mindset shift made me a 10X better designer.

Quick video on how a simple shift in mindset transformed the way I work.
On a personal note, I've been facing massive creative block so I decided I should just upload a quick video without overthinking things. It's not a fancy video, no mind-blowing tips, but I still think this quick video would help someone out there, and I hope that someone is you ⭐️
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Newsletter: www.rachelhow....
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[@evgenijarkhipov4304]

Thinking about the "Why" is one of the key skills for designers.

[@rachelhow]

Drop your questions here! Ask me anything from design, content creation, solopreneurship or anything you're struggling with right now 😄 I try my best to share what I learned :)

[@charisaemmanuel5969]

thanks so much Rachel, have really learned a lot from you. keep it up.. would like to know how you order your work process when there is like loads of work to do😍

[@diamakaa]

I'm looking forward to be a product designer. I just started learning for about two months but I'm discouraged because I'm not meeting up or learning as fast as I felt I could learn. I'm disappointed at myself and i feel I'm not going to do any better . So please help

[@sarthakkathayat]

I am about to start my self-taught UX deign journey and your videos are a great help. Always looking forward for your channel's notification to arrive on my phone. Thank you!!

[@rachelhow]

I really appreciate it!! Thank you for sticking around, Sarthak. I hope to continue to make helpful videos!

[@kainatgul7790]

Great to hear that. I am also learning UX UI.

[@sarthakkathayat]

Heyi,@@kainatgul7790 ! That's great. May be we could connect for a quick chat and discuss the process further. What say?

[@Taskade]

Great advice! Don’t worry about breaks every 20 minutes ruining your focus on a task. Contrary to what I might have guessed, taking regular breaks from mental tasks actually improves your creativity and productivity. Skipping breaks, on the other hand, leads to stress and fatigue.

[@rachelhow]

Well said, Taskade!

[@thevezs]

I’ve been a UX designer for a bit and you’ve touched on something that a lot of designers ignore, asking questions is really the most important part of the job - along with being a great listener. Thank you for the content!

[@gabevicencio]

This is such a great video! As I started my UX journey, I've realized how important it is to be naturally curious - by always asking. I am constantly working on being curious - I find that doing this makes your designs intentional! Thank you for sharing, Rachel!

[@rachelhow]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts too!

[@arkhi.anastasia]

Yeah, totally agree with you. That's actually what makes a designer a Designer, not a pixel pusher) Thank you for saying it so short and clear

[@vernalequanox50]

saying and or adage is reflected in this. You are always more successful giving people what they need and want and not what they ask for. Thank you, enjoyed.

[@QuintenLansu]

This is also a great way to snuff out if you're dealing with a toxic work environment. If the answer to these questions is "Just do as you're told!!" then you know the team is not supportive of your growth. 🌱

[@pixelspritevickysvarietych2365]

I was recently let go from my job, and only now am I realizing that it was a toxic work environment that was often too busy to foster my own growth

[@henniannariina5877]

@@pixelspritevickysvarietych2365 me too

[@henniannariina5877]

Very good point!!

[@samkulit]

This is what i want to hear since the day one. i like this topic super it helps me grow, it help me how to stand to be a graphic designer. thank you so much

[@meganlee3422]

Thanks for reminding me this ! Definitely! Trying to understand every given task before executing can streamline our work process while delivering the work with better quality.

[@catkubasova1274]

This is a one of the best advices that you give to all designers especcialy new one!

[@rachelhow]

I appreciate the kind words 💕

[@melvinchai7927]

totally agree! I am on the half way towards the UX UI designer path, hopefully can get more inspiration videos from you.

[@rachelhow]

All the best to you, Melvin!

[@salwaaakh]

This channel has taught me so much about a topic I barely knew about and I feel like I will be successful as a UX/UI designer because of you!

[@elidrissistudio]

so true this chanel has some valuable content, i especially love her roadmap to learn ux design btw your name salwa is it an arabic name

[@0Nope1]

Short and sweet and right to the point! Thank you, this is helpful advice :)

[@rachelhow]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chynniall]

Rachel, your content is getting better day by day! You’re helping people more than you know :) Thanks for this!

[@rachelhow]

[@ZoeysMusings]

"Why are we even doing this?" Such a great question. Thank you for sharing this, Rachel 🙂

[@carmenchan7998]

Thanks for sharing this! I truly agree with this viewpoint of shifting mindsets (great video!), I used to just execute work without even questioning just a simple "Why?", but I came to realize "hey, what is the purpose of me putting my time and effort out there into all this "work".. Then, come to a point I started to think, try to slow down, understand and ask, "Why you wanted this "task" to be done? Will it make a difference or impact for whoever is at the receiving end? or will it give an impact? etc.. Stumbled upon your channel while I was doing some research and have been watching your videos lately, thanks for sharing your content! You're awesome Rachel, keep going, can't wait for more content from you (they are seriously very helpful!) Cheers!

[@rachelhow]

Hey Carmen, thanks for watching too! Stakeholders/clients tend to appreciate that designers have put in some thought before executing the work. I'm still learning as I go along, so I'm really happy this video resonated with you :)

[@akshsinecure]

great advice. It's really important to have this insight as a UX designer. I always ask myself this questions when anyone who come to me with design problems, " Why are they communicating what they're communicating?

[@Answerthequestions]

Congratulations! You gained a subscriber

[@ahmed3261]

I totally agree with this, but the problem comes when they just care about the deadline and the "UI" and not the quality of the solution and the idea behind this solution.

[@VisualKIt.Studios]

watching this video as a designer in my workplace

[@indukaushik8693]

I'm a 9th grade designing student and just found my interest. So thankyou so much its a good advice for my future journey and will definitely follow this. Love from india🎉

[@indukaushik8693]

Just subscribed your channels for more good vedios and its my designing exam tomorrow

[@officesuperhero9611]

I am a data analyst for New York City government. I do the same. When people come to me and say I need XYZ data, I ask, "what do you wan to do with the data?" I find most people at the beginning find it annoying, but then appreciate your being a thought partner.

[@dannialan8332]

hola Rachel muchas gracias por tus consejos eres una gran persona, te mereces mucho más... ayudas mucho a está comunidad saludos desde Bolivia. Hello Rachel, thank you very much for your advice, you are a great person, you deserve much more... you help this community a lot, greetings from Bolivia.

[@david_jay992]

funny how this is just a one minute video but it's very key

[@SaintOrCinema]

Amazing. This is actually a really great question to ask myself as well as clients! Whenever I am embarking on a new project “what is the problem I am trying to solve? What is the outcome/effect I hope to achieve?” Thank you!

[@rachelhow]

Yup exactly :) Thank you for watching! :)

[@Hikey711]

I’m learning how to make nice guis and games this has helped out a lot in my design and even code.

[@m.imamurrezaprotik5710]

One word..Subscribed

[@rahulghanekar577]

Just found your channel!! Great information for someone starting out as UI UX Designer Looking forward to more great videos✨

[@rachelhow]

Awesome! Thank you for watching, Rahul!

[@AmalHichri]

great video ! 💎

[@rachelhow]

Glad you liked it!!

[@Ouro17]

This is very important skill for software developers too. If you combine it with good soft skills for asking questions and following topics people will respect and get in touch with you a lot more.

[@rachelhow]

Absolutely!

[@Kixoo]

good suggestion for anyone designer and engineer

[@rachelhow]

Thanks Floralt

[@private7419]

Very insightful and worth sharing. Good job (again). :)

[@rachelhow]

Thanks a lot :)

[@kristoffsparkle7416]

another great video! can't wait to see your upcoming videos!

[@rachelhow]

Thanks so much, Kristoff!

[@Bayu-zr4ec]

Love this Rachel!

[@rachelhow]

Thanks for watching, Bayu!

[@adelinebaah7214]

Thanks for this Rachel

[@user-mu1ku9qt1d]

I agree I am also a ui designer with 2 years of experience. But the problem comes is that when I ask my teammate why are we doing this? does we really need to add this what problem it is going to solve ? They simply say-: This is the requirement you have to do it. They don't understand it and just say Create a good design only. And I also don't find myself growing or learning anything

[@MD-dm7uq]

Thank you ♥️

[@rachelhow]

You’re welcome 😊

[@future_proof]

Love this. :)

[@rachelhow]

Thanks for the support, Alexander!!

[@sibingxu]

I totally agree with you! But the thing is, sometimes they just don't want to explain, especially in a fast-paced company. I wonder if you have any idea how to deal with this?

[@nurdinmsangi7351]

very informative

[@ace5428]

I would like to ask the time when you were at the beginning stage of learning UX design, where and how do you choose working on what project? and how do you sure your are really solving a problem (you know as beginners, we don't have relevant experience and guidance to know whether we're on the right path, how do you overcome such an obstacle?)

[@lorey6252]

Hey! I've wanted to start watching your videos, they seem very informative. I wanted to ask, as design software is pretty expensive, how do you start designing things and learning if the software is so expensive? Adobe seems like a lot and other softwares. Is there free alternatives you recommend to start off with? Hope you can spare a sec to give some advice 😊

[@rachelhow]

Hi Lorraine, thanks for commenting! You can try figma, it has a free plan :)

[@kimarodri]

Thank you for sharing ❤️ I love your channel. You’re right, we should understand first the problem and situation for us to come up with the proper solution. I would like to ask, how do you manage your time in the UX process? Like when do you start ideating and outlining to designing? What’s your go signal to start everything? I’m on a self-paced of studying UX as well and I’m struggling on how do I start. Hehe

[@smiesznysimp7878]

How have you learned video editing? It looks fantastic! ❤

[@rachelhow]

There's a lot of free resources on google and KZbin. Thank you!

[@engrfayaz4414]

What are the tips to become best designer & what we required ?

[@erleyonline7068]

Great video! thanks, New subs here!

[@rachelhow]

Thanks for the sub 🥰

[@beoxsgaming9388]

Good advice.

[@rachelhow]

Thanks for watching!

[@tauseedzaman]

Share tricks/tips/tools/hacks for better designing in 2022

[@rachelhow]

I'll add this to my notes! :)

[@carrie20074]

Love your videos, just a general question. When trying learn UI/UX is it more valuable to find work where your exposed to UX and UI designers and working in that environment (maybe not working as either) or is it better to take time out and just learn it from a course or build up a folio.

[@alwayjohnrallos7359]

Do a work space tour

[@rachelhow]

added to my notes! :)

[@disartster]

Omg, that's who I was for the last 6 months - a pixel pusher(( Switching jobs rn, to a place where asking "why" is encouraged

[@rachelhow]

[@disartster]

@@rachelhow thank you for a reminder that designers have agency too! Even with a decent amount of experience it's still easy to forget under certain circumstances (e.g. burnout, depression, toxic environment etc)

[@sehanhasan]

How can someone start their UX journey including topics like User testing, qualitative and quantitative research, etc.

[@henniannariina5877]

How have your coworkers taken to you asking more questions? Specifically those above you, who may be used to someone just carrying out the work without any questions. I recently lost a freelance job at a startup because I overstepped my boundaries by asking questions and thinking more strategically, instead of just carrying out the job no questions asked.

[@lisamays1011]

I know you didn't ask "ME", but I am going to add my 2 cents here and say this: That particular freelance job was not the place for you. As a designer, you SHOULD be helping the company think strategically and if they can't appreciate that, then I say it's THEIR loss. In the long run, you will be a far better designer if you work for a company that allows you to exercise your critical thinking skills when it comes to designs. Look at it this way, in ten years which strategy makes you more valuable in the marketplace? You will have a far better resume when you can show HOW you guided the decision/design process to save the company money rather than if you just blindly did what you were told. Your thoughts are valuable. Don't allow the insecurities of a manager to stifle your inquisitiveness and creative processing. Consider the firing a blessing and move on. (These are just my thoughts which you did not ask for. Please ignore any and all of what I said if you choose.)

[@ankitmaurya1598]

Hey, Rech can you make one video on how to make micro-interaction in Figma?

[@priyankaburte6517]

make a video building confidence for interviews

[@rachelhow]

added to my notes :)

[@21000lea]

Hi! 👋 What camera are you using for filming? 👌

[@rachelhow]

I use the Sony A7iii :) Full list of gear here: rachelhow.com/resources

[@wetiot]

My question is: If any of the non-UX designer stakeholders comes to you & asks you to either create or change something, shouldn't they also show their process as to why they came up with that change or idea? Otherwise, there's no need for a UX designer/Researcher, if anyone can simply change the process for no reason.

[@rachelhow]

Hello! Thanks for watching 😄 Yup, I think stakeholders should also give context before asking designers to execute. Let's say if they did give context, designers should still think instead of blindly executing. Even better if designers and stakeholders can work together in the research process. I think collaboration cross teams are incredibly useful.

[@wetiot]

@@rachelhow … I agree. Thank you.

[@nyorkiacupid4988]

What program can I use for FREE to start designing as a beginner ?

[@rachelhow]

If you mean design tool, try Figma :)

[@ameereeo]

but why are these questions important or do we really need all these questions ?

[@Jsosa787]

Ok, but how many times after asking your questions to understand why, have you answered with, “no. I won’t design that.”

[@rachelhow]

It doesn't matter how many times. If the instructions/tasks still don't make sense, I would share my reasons with the person to help them understand why I won't design it. But if they still want it, at least I've done my part to voice my opinions :)

[@olalekandaramola9541]

As designer must times I don't know how to charge

[@rachelhow]

I'll try to make a video on this! :)

[@serinsarasamuel9886]

@@rachelhow It would be great if in that video you could guide a newbie freelancer..Thanks in advance!

[@jonnyzheng419]

Ask why be 4 act. I want I want not you want~~哈哈哈哈

[@tblade_org]

Hi, those why questions really helped get my creativity flowing. I am the owner of the Luxury Christian Streetwear Brand called @Tblade. I design all of our pieces, and have noticed that I am able to think of new concepts more frequently when I ask myself these questions first. Why am I making this peace? What’s the problem I’m trying to solve here? What’s the goal I’m trying to achieve? Why am I doing this? What do I want others to get from this? What part of my work do I want to emphasize? Will my consumers use this feature? Thank you for making this video!