Introduction

Have you just landed your first role as a beginner Product designer? You're probably thrilled about delving into this exciting career, but maybe feeling a bit anxious too? This article has been written specifically to help you overcome that stress and approach your journey with calm confidence.

Seize the opportunities

As a novice Product designer, you have the opportunity to broaden your skill set before the workload becomes too intense. Never hesitate to take on challenges that exceed the expectations of your role, even if you feel you may not be particularly skilled in that area.

Being open to learning new skills is crucial for the evolution of your career as a Product designer. Don't be afraid to try new things and make mistakes, as it will help you develop a broader range of skills and progress more quickly within the company. Always be open to new challenges and let your skills enrich holistically.

Always be a generalist

Sometimes, a product designer may forget the importance of their overall growth by focusing solely on job titles and descriptions. A good product designer is often a generalist who not only masters design but also skills such as empathy, communication, content writing, business, and strategy.

By remaining a generalist, you can develop skills that are valuable for your career. For instance, by learning to better understand business, you can improve your communication with decision-makers and make clearer decisions. Developing your content writing ability can make you more effective in explaining your ideas and concepts.

Never fall in love with your designs

As a product designer, it can be tempting to defend your designs, but it's equally important to remain open to criticism. Instead of clinging to your ideas, always consider critiques as opportunities to enhance your work and deepen your understanding of your clients' vision.

The more you learn to accept criticism, the more you can build strong relationships and create even more impactful designs.

Get used to sketching on paper.

Even as technology advances rapidly, sketching on paper remains the most valuable and preferred technique for designers. If you're a beginner, avoid designing directly on the screen.

When designing directly on a screen, it's easier to focus on the small details of the idea (shapes, colors, textures, etc.) without having an overall view of the idea itself. Sketching on paper allows you to translate an idea in the simplest and quickest way possible, helping you maintain an overall perspective on the most important details before moving to the screen.

Get used to writing

Writing plays a crucial role in clarifying thoughts for Product designers. Creating stories, articles, etc., helps solidify ideas that may be buried in the mind. Writing can also assist in developing conceptual notes that can later be transformed into tangible products.

By making writing a routine, you will notice over time that it also reflects in your designs. Creativity in verbal expression can also strengthen your portfolio as a Product designer.

Finding a mentor

Finding a mentor who can speak to you honestly and guide you through the world of business and the profession can be crucial for your career and personal development as a designer.

A mentor can share their experiences with you, show you common pitfalls to avoid, help find solutions to your professional challenges, and provide support and motivation to achieve your goals. They can also assist you in building relationships with other industry professionals who may become work collaborators or friends throughout your career.

Get inspired but never copy

Designers often tend to be influenced by attractive designs found on Dribbble and Behance. Simply copying a design without understanding its purpose is not an effective method. It's better to try to adopt a problem-solving mindset, always talk to your users to gather feedback to create engaging experiences. This approach will give you a competitive edge in the industry.

Never copy processes

It is crucial never to copy case study processes found online as they are, as each project is unique with its own challenges, goals, and users. Copying a process that worked for another project does not guarantee it will work for yours. Understanding the specific needs of your project and integrating them into your own design process is essential.

Furthermore, processes found online may not be relevant to your project based on various factors such as the target audience, context, time constraints, and budget. Therefore, it is important to develop your own process based on the unique requirements of each project.

Participate in design workshops

Participating in design workshops can be extremely beneficial for developing your skills and professional network. These workshops provide an opportunity to meet and interact with influential industry leaders in real-time.

Design workshops also offer a concrete insight into real-world challenges and solutions, which can be very helpful in understanding the nuances of the profession and advancing quickly as a Product designer.

Conclusion

The journey of a Product designer may seem daunting for beginners, but with the right guidance, it can become a rewarding and fulfilling adventure. It is crucial to practice by creating projects, build a strong portfolio, and stay updated with current trends and technologies. By working diligently and being passionate about your craft, you can open numerous doors to a dream career.