How your life experiences make you a better product/UX designer

In a world of standardized design and “best practices,” sometimes the most innovative and user-friendly solutions come from those who’ve journeyed down an unconventional path. As a product designer, I firmly believe your lived experiences, your passions, and even your struggles shape your unique ability to approach design challenges.

Empathy: the heart of user-centric design

Empathy means understanding the feelings and motivations of others as though they were our own. As designers, we tap into empathy to understand the challenges our users face. Our diverse life experiences give us the power to connect with a wide range of people, not just those who think and act like us.

Here’s how some of my own experiences have informed my design process:

• Growing up as a minority: This has instilled in me a strong sensitivity towards issues of inclusion and accessibility. Designing products that unintentionally exclude whole groups of users goes against my values.
• Being a woman in a male-dominated field: I’ve seen the challenges and biases faced by underrepresented groups firsthand. I now strive to create products that minimize assumptions and actively work to create a more equitable user experience.
• A deep love of art: Design isn’t all function. My artistic leanings make me sensitive to the aesthetic aspects of product design, the emotional response and attachment that a beautiful interface evokes.
• Going to therapy: This journey has taught me the importance of addressing a user’s emotional needs along with their practical ones. A product can be functional but still fail if it doesn’t address its user’s feelings.

How lived experiences make you a better designer

• Designing beyond the “average” user: It’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming everyone has access to the same tech or abilities we do. Your diverse background reminds you to question these assumptions. A user with limited tech skills or an older user may have unique challenges you could elegantly address. I always ask myself “could my grandma complete this flow without having to call on me for help?”
• Unconventional problem-solving: Those without a traditional design education often forge their own path, developing valuable problem-solving skills unconstrained by “the way things are done.”?

I resonate with this personally, as I taught myself UX design and honestly had no clue what I was doing at first. I learned conventional terms like “T-Shaped designer” but none of it resonated with me. It wasn’t until I jumped in Figma (focused on visuals only, rookie mistake) and started testing things out with users to understand where logical and empathetic design mistakes were made.

• Human connection: A genuine love for people and their varied experiences fuels a desire to design experiences that delight and empower. This passion shines through in your work.

Your uniqueness is your superpower

If you feel like you don’t fit the mold of a “typical” designer, embrace it! Your unique perspective allows you to see opportunities others might miss. Your background isn’t merely a footnote in your design journey?—?it’s the catalyst for creating better, more inclusive products that the world genuinely needs. Your lived perspective matters!