What do you do if you're struggling to transition from a managerial role to a hands-on UX design role?

Revisit your old tools and relearn/learn the features and commands of that software. Go through your old projects to identify loop holes or things that give you inspiration for your next project. If you don't feel confident enough, work on a few demo projects before you take up any actual work.

This is key. Take online courses, attend workshops, or even consider a UX design bootcamp to build a strong foundation in UX principles, user research methods, and design tools like Figma.

Refreshing your UX design skills can empower your transition from a manager by strengthening your technical foundation and reigniting your passion for hands-on design. Brushing up on UI/UX tools, user research methods, and design principles bridges the knowledge gap and allows you to confidently contribute as an individual contributor, while your managerial experience translates into strong communication and project management skills – valuable assets for any UX team.

Leverage your existing network! Connect with UX professionals on LinkedIn or attend industry meetups. Let them know you're transitioning and see if they can offer advice or mentorship.

Fellow UX professionals can be a lifeline during your transition from manager to hands-on designer. They can provide mentorship, offering guidance on refreshing design skills and navigating the latest tools. Additionally, UX communities can offer opportunities to collaborate on projects, practice design critiques, and gain valuable feedback – all helping you rebuild confidence and showcase your revived design expertise.

Don't wait for a job to get experience. Look for volunteer opportunities with non-profits or build a personal design portfolio by creating mockups for existing products or websites.

Diving into real-time UX projects jumpstarts your transition from manager to hands-on designer. This practical experience refreshes your design skills, exposes you to current industry tools and trends, and allows you to collaborate with design teams. Plus, you can showcase your revived design abilities while leveraging your existing managerial strengths like communication and project management to seamlessly integrate into a UX team.

As you learn and complete projects, take time to reflect on your progress. Identify areas for improvement and adjust your learning approach accordingly.

Regular reflection fuels your managerial-to-UX designer transition. By taking time to assess your progress, identify skill gaps, and celebrate successes, you stay motivated and focused. This self-awareness allows you to prioritize areas for improvement in design tools or user research and helps you translate your leadership experience into valuable skills like mentoring junior designers or delegating tasks within a UX team.

The UX field is constantly evolving. To stay ahead of the curve, make it a habit to follow industry blogs, attend webinars, and participate in online design communities. Here are some additional resources to consider: Industry Blogs: UX Collective, Nielsen Norman Group Blog, A List Apart Webinars: NN/g UX Webinars, DesignBetter.Co Webinars, UXPin Webinars Online Design Communities: Dribbble, Behance, UserTesting.com Community

Staying up-to-date is your secret weapon in transitioning from manager to UX designer. It bridges the knowledge gap by refreshing your skills in UI/UX tools, user research, and design principles. This not only builds confidence in your design abilities but also keeps you relevant in the fast-paced UX field. Plus, staying current allows you to leverage your managerial experience – strong communication and project management are highly valued by UX teams, making you a well-rounded asset during the transition.

Highlight transferable skills: As a manager, you've honed your communication, collaboration, project management, and problem-solving skills – all valuable assets in UX design. Showcase these strengths in your portfolio and interviews. Be patient: Transitioning careers takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen overnight. Celebrate small wins and stay focused on your goals. Consider a hybrid role: There might be UX roles that leverage your managerial experience while also allowing you to gain hands-on design experience. By following these steps and staying persistent, you'll increase your chances of a successful transition into UX design.