Am I ready?

A junior designer's notes: lessons learned, hacks earned

I recently presented at DO24, a Melbourne-based design conference, where I hit the gas on my design journey, ?of student fumbling with the wheel to full-time driver - Oops I mean designer! It was about a few lessons I picked up along the way, mentors that kept me out of the ditch and the mindset shift that got me here!

When I was starting out as a designer, it felt a lot like learning how to drive.

In driving, before you put your foot on the pedal, you start with the basics, traffic rules, road signs, steering wheel, where is clutch-break-accelerator.

Similarly, in college, I built my foundational skills - colors, typography, design thinking, the ideal design and product development process, design principles…learnt all the rules - only to break those later!

So when I threw my graduation cap in the air, like any newbie driver, I was excited. New people, new office. Eager to work. Take on challenges. And a sense of responsibility of being a professional! I am sure everyone can relate…But I soon discovered the road wasn't always smooth.

Imagine this: You're tackling a project. Your first project. You are all pumped up to apply all that you learnt in college. But the ground here is a bit different. Just like a new driver navigating unfamiliar terrain – you are tackling real-world constraints - project timelines, stakeholder expectations, etc.

This kind of dampened my ‘design’ enthusiasm. Like I knew where I wanted to be, I knew what I wanted to do, but didn’t know how.

And this is when you need someone who's been through the same trenches and can guide you - the mentor! They've been there, done that.

You learn from experienced drivers - parents, instructors, or friends. They share their knowledge and tips to help you become a safe and responsible driver. Similarly, mentors know where you are and can help you avoid pitfalls.

This mentor could be a senior designer on your team, or even a supportive, experienced peer. I consider myself lucky to have had a dedicated mentor when I started out. But it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have one, there are good platforms like ADPlist and Topmate which you can explore.

In any case, sticking with your mentor is essential! It's like a long road trip - the more miles you share, the stronger the bond.

So instead of juggling a bunch of mentors – having one solid one for the long haul is where it's at. Because over time, they get invested in your journey. They get to see you grow, like a personal cheerleader who knows all your best moves and the areas you need to improvement. So their advice becomes personalized which helps you set – and crush! – some serious career goals.

So, how do I unlocked this mentorship magic? The first step is to get clear on your design goals.

• What do you want to achieve in your career?
• Is there any area in design do you want specialize in?
• Where do you want to improve?

The more specific you are, the more your mentor can empower you.

When I started interacting with my mentor, I was impressed by his ability to clearly communicate ideas, effectively manage projects, and confidently advocate for design decisions. This inspired me to focus on improving these areas in my own work, so I asked him targeted questions to gain his insights.

But it’s totally fine if you don’t know that yet. We are all a work in progress. This is a process. You will figure that out as you work more. Just be observant. Talk to more people. Explore. Analyze others’ journeys. Be proactive!

Because initiative isn't just a skill, it's a mindset.

As designers, we're problem solvers at heart. But how can you solve a problem if you don't see it? Be an active observer. Cultivate an active eye. Look around! Don't wait for someone to hand you a problem on a silver platter. Is there a design element begging for improvement? Don't wait for someone to point it out. Take ownership!

As a junior designer or new team member, you possess a unique advantage: fresh eyes. Unlike those entrenched in the day-to-day, you're free from preconceptions and "baggage" that can cloud judgment. This allows you to see the product and design processes with a critical but objective lens. This outsider's perspective is invaluable for identifying areas for improvement that might be missed by those close to the project.

You might be thinking, "How can I point out a flaw when I'm so new?" But here's the thing: good designers thrive on feedback and collaboration. Remember, your colleagues want the product to be successful too. By speaking up, you're contributing to the team's goals and demonstrating your willingness to learn and grow. This isn't about stepping on toes, it's about seeing a chance to make a difference.

You won’t see the difference in one day, but you will see it one day. While you do this, at first, your design projects might feel like driving in a quiet parking lot or on empty roads – low stakes and safe. But as you progress, you'll encounter busier roads, more complex projects, and higher expectations.

I realized the key component of this transition is making your own decisions.

It can feel daunting, especially early in your career. We think ‘What if I fail? What if it turns out to be a disaster?’ It's natural to worry about making mistakes. Mistakes are inevitable, and often, they're the best teachers we have.

Start small. Every design choice involves decisions. As simple as ‘Should this be a switch or a checkbox?’ Essential skill to develop. And I learnt this the hard way.

When I was learning to drive, my dad taught me. 3-4 days into the training, I think he felt the confident. So he said you take the car and meet me near the park - the park where he used to go for a run. I was like yayy, finally - but that feeling did not last long. As soon as I got on the road, I drew a blank. I did not know what to do. I was back to being a fumbling driver. So I abandoned the mission. And later that day I realized, in those 3-4 days of training, I did not do anything. It was like my brain was an autopilot - I was just executing what my dad said. That was not going to help me encounter unexpected situations on the road - traffic jams, sudden stops, or tricky merges. And its pretty easy to fall into a similar trap as a junior designer - doing only what you are asked to do.

Think of your lead or mentor as your design wingman. They are there to guide you, but you should be the one driving.

To conclude, I would say this is an adventure. One of the most exciting journeys you would take. I hope this was helpful! If anyone wants to discuss what challenges they are facing, or have any questions, I may not have all the answers (yet!), but I'm always happy to connect and offer any insights I've gained along the way.