Distorted Designers

Hello designer bhaia/apu's
this is my first post here so sorry in advance if i have done any mistake along the way.

My Backstory:
I am in a private company working as a product analyst. My responsibilties include making user flows from given requirements and manage product lifecycle. So along the way i picked up the term UX and started reading. Start taking courses but i don't think i am learning from courses unless I can apply those strategies or any UX methodologies.
So I tried to switch from a long time. because I won't progress if don't practice hands-on, right? without a design team or a mentor its really hard to learn about mistakes!
But I couldn't find any jobs because companies look for UX/ 'UI'. So after getting rejected, i found out my issue is I didn't have a portfolio. also i dont have the skillsets of a graphics designers.

So now I did made a pdf portfolio . Though I don't have much knowledge regarding UI. Still learning.

can you give me any constructive feedback, how can i improve and land a desired job in design industry?

Hi Rukaia, welcome to DD.

Portfolio is a must for any design job. If you are applying for a UX design job then your portfolio should contain case studies explaining the overall process from problem to solution.

If you are applying for UI job then your porfolio must talk about the visual designs and interactions. This can be explained as a case study as well. These days hiring managers (not sure in BD) are more interested in case studies, because case studies make things clear - what was the problem, who else worked in the project, your role, how you guys solved the problem and overall design process.

If you want to call yourself a UX designer, then you can leave UI part for visual designers and you should be confident. However, you must be strong in applying UX methodologies - working with UX researchers, general understanding on UX research methodologies, Usability testing, competitive analysis, setting up UX strategies for a project, plan and facilitate UX workshops, Undestanding on UX frameworks and when to use what, setting up KPIs etc.

On the other hand, if you want to grow in UI side then you must be strong in visuals - colour theories, applying colours in to design, wireframing, prototyping, testing, typography, icon design, banner design, spacing, contrast, brand, balance, interaction design, conducting desing feedback sessions and more.

Although few tasks can be overlapped in both roles, but that is okay. Most of the UX Designers are from UI or Graphic Design background, so they are very strong in visual designs and there is a demand for it. That's why UX/UI title still exists.

So whichever path you want to follow, your case studies should be well structured and well written with the content irrespective of actual project or pet project.

Let us know if any question.

I want to call myself UX designer!
For learning purposes, I read a UX article daily or take courses ! I did take part in some ux challenges and hackathons (can i share here, so you people can evaluate?! ) too. But truley i wont be confident unless I have real hands-on experience or without working with Ux researches as you have said.
But as here in Bangladesh, I never got an interview without getting asked for some visual design or without being proficient in adobe photoshop or illustrator (Maybe there are few companies who have started but I never got chance in those interview I guess) So I have to learn UI designing for BD.
I have started doing pet projects too. When I will finish, I will try to make well-structured case studies and share with you here. Thanks bhaia for suggestions.

Hi Rukaia,
Thanks for bringing up this interesting topic.

rrafa wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 10, 2020 6:22 pm

can i share here, so you people can evaluate?!

Please feel free to share.

rrafa wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 10, 2020 6:22 pm

But as here in Bangladesh, I never got an interview without getting asked for some visual design or without being proficient in adobe photoshop or illustrator.

You are right. Our UX industry is immature here. So, we need to get prepared along with it right now.

Point is that you need to fix your focus- UXD or UXR. To move on with UXD, learning and demonstrating UI skill is still relevant as per job requirements.

https://www.figma.com/file/fpE0w1vb2iwe ... id=8%3A208

Can you bhaia rate my work based on this?
Though It's not completed, but I want to improve or at least know where my designing level is!
I have started learning adobe photoshop, the learning curve is overwhelming right now. Though inshAllah I can learn with time

Hi Rukaia,
I don't want to rate at this moment as it's not completed.

However, what I can see, there are lot of opportunities to improve your case study. I would suggest you to look for UX case studies on Google. You'll find plenty.

From DD we will have webinar on Portfolio and Case Studies in few months. So you can wait for that if you want.

Edgerly waiting for webinar on Portfolio and Case Studies meanwhile still working on improve the case studies