Starting my UX journey with Interaction Design Foundation

For my first year as a member of the IxDF community, I have been asked for a sincere review. #noadv and I have not been paid!

I am really happy to share my story with you and guiding you through my first year with Interaction Design Foundation. 

The beginning

One year ago I decided to start learning User Design and User Research because I felt that they were the human part that was missing in my career in AI. If you think more about it, it is a huge part! We want friendly machines that help us in our daily activities and, as a researcher and developer, I am always striving to search for the right algorithm for the application I need but... Sometimes I forget that these applications are used by humans. UX and UXR can really help in how we can shape solutions for the final user. Solutions that are functional and adapted to the user. 

The Chaos

One year ago I was totally unaware of the existence of user design discipline. I discovered it through an interview where some skills as a designer were required to pass. That interview changed my life, really! I understood the importance of observing the world as a user researcher and not only an AI researcher.

However, the first steps were literally… The chaos! I was lost in so much information and, when something is totally new, it is really hard to distinguish good and bad quality content. 

Finally a light

One day I came across IxDF. At first, I was suspicious: the website seemed too good to be true. The content is well arranged, a lot of courses, certifications, discounts, and a social corner where you can interact with the other members according to your location.

The two points that I appreciated the most have been: the opportunity to test the platform for 1 month for free, and how you can understand what might be your role by choosing courses that will give you at the end the skills for a certain role in the UX industry. I think this last point is very important if you are totally new to UX. UX is relatively new and it changes a lot from year to year. It’s easy to ask yourself “ok but what is it good for me?” if you are just entering this field. With IxDF you don’t have to think about this. You will just search for the courses you want to follow based on your interests. In the end, what you have chosen will dictate who you can (also) be in this industry. The skills you have personalized by deciding to acquire them will automatically create your role.

Of course, being involved in mental health AI as a researcher, I have been really interested in how users perceive the product and what are the psychological criteria that should be taken into consideration when thinking about a new service. 

This year as an IxDF insider - final considerations

In a few months, I was able to discuss UX matters with experts easily and at ease. This, thanks to the knowledge acquired and a good use of the internal literature and glossary. I had the chance to meet and discuss other UX journeys during the virtual meetups (I had the chance to attend the Canadian and Italian meetups... Funny and interesting!) and extend these meetings to other external circles.

In a year of curfew and staying at home I felt really in good company and I met people whom I will consider my mentors forever. One of them is Frank Spiller, and you will listen to him during some of the IxDF courses. Another good point? These people are real! You can reach them through email and LinkedIn and talk with them and this is really important. 

The journey is not over because there are so many courses and masterclasses I want to attend!

UX, as well as AI, is evolving and IxDF is a perfect platform to stay updated. On a regular basis, you will have a master class to stay updated and I am very happy to have the opportunity to attend them.

Many people asked me if being an IxDFer is enough to get a job easily after some months of courses. The simplest reply is no. This will be your starting point but you will need to stay updated and poke people around and find your opportunities. IxDF is a great school to learn how to do a good job and be professional and meet many professionals too.

However, you and only you are the creators of the UX magic. Don't be afraid to shape your path, always. Oh, and don't forget to share with me your journey I am always happy to meet new travelers :)