Why I love being a product designer
My journey as a product designer so far has been exciting, the imposter syndrome days is going down in my career as a product designer, join me as I share my story on why I love being a product designer.
Falling in love with technology at a young age is something common in the technology industry, mine is no different. Computer science classes in secondary school helped me understand the basics of computers at a theoretical level, reinforcing the practical knowledge I got from computer lesson center during my time at home.
Gaining admission to the university to study computer science, all of my motivation around tech and computer came to a halt as we did more of mathematics and calculations than tech related things. Getting to 3rd year, I got acquainted with people that rekindled my passion for technology and got introduced web development, mobile app development and graphics design.
I basically fell in love with mobile app development and it became my dream to know how apps work and how to create them. Hence, I started learning to write code in Java at my third year during IT. It took me close to a month to fix android studio. Think about how I didn’t give up while in the process of my installation problems considering how tasking it was at the time, gives me the motivation to keep pushing. A year passed, I was yet to build a complete app apart from building the user interface, I was stuck in the tutorial loop, array etc. I was only doing basic app layout stuff.
Until I applied for learnable21, I had never really knew what product design was. I told myself if I apply for it I will be enlightened.
Now, few months down, I can finally tell you what product design is with confidence. Product design is problem solving, as energizing and satisfying as solving a complicated puzzle. It’s also for client expectations, for developers building the product and people who use your creation. Putting myself in the users shoes is among the key aspects of the job and I consider this requirement a privilege. As luck would have it, “Product Designer” is the perfect job for someone like me-someone who loves learning or knowing about what makes people tick.
Subsequently, I began learning to use software tools: Photoshop, canvas, Corel draw. I needed to have a skill I’m good at to earn from and be useful in the labor market. While learning to create logos, flyers. My love for graphics was ignited. I quickly became comfortable with the basics of the tools. Looking back, I would say my designs weren’t great.
Learnable 21 is filled with lots of talents. At this time of learning to create good designs, one of us was making lots of waves. We call her Francisca. Francisca is one of the good designers I have met as a beginner and she is a very good product designer. Her impact and position on the leaderboard influenced me and I made a lot of research about product designs. I was also lucky to have graphic designers as acquaintances and friends during my third year IT. I was able to learn from them and also showcase my creativity with these tools. I remember creating a business mockup logo and a flier for a friend. The joy from seeing my designs on their status can’t be explained in words in addition with the small token I got for it made me proud of myself.
As a product designer, I spend most of my days talking with people. I talk with customers about how they use our product, their likes and dislikes.
To me, product design is not about pixels at all, though, that part is fun, too.
Why I love being a product designer even with it’s vocation that calls for a lot of handwork. It was considered my field because of the skill combinations that brings together art, business and engineering. It bolsters a skill set that could make you invaluable in many different job markets and develop new concepts and ways to market those concepts within the design.
Secondly, career options: it is a job that allows room for growth and expansion into any number of areas.
Thirdly, it doesn’t always mean invention.
Fourthly, innovation is its own reward. Imagine being the person who comes up with the design for a new product that takes the world by storm and becomes a part of the general populations everyday life. Yeah, I want to be that helpful.
I have learnt so far that being truly excited about my career as a designer has helped me grow and interest or passion has been key to helping me stick to it this long. As I am looking forward to learning more, being a better designer and hitting my first paid job as a product designer solving complex problems with design, enjoying the variety and freedom that this style of work provides.