Published on <a href="https://blog.prototypr.io/from-architect-to-ui-ux-designer-9-things-i-did-in-the-first-year-ce82e3a9f7df?source=rss----eb297ea1161a---4">| Prototyping: From UX to Front End &mdash; Medium</a> linda bennett 
I was an accomplished architect, so I never saw myself here, as a UI/UX designer. I graduated with top marks in the field of architecture. I worked on great projects with incredible architects. I was well paid and spoke at architecture conferences. None of that mattered because I struggled with chronic depression for my entire career in architecture.
One morning I just gave up after 10 years in the industry. I was now unemployed, coincidently at the time my partner was starting-up a new agency. The timing was good and I took up a role to help out wherever possible. At the time, I thought it was temporary and that my love for architecture would return. It never did though. So I stayed on, making my way toward the lead UI/UX designer at <a href="https://honestfox.com.au/">honestfox</a>.
Undoubtedly, architecture and UI/UX design have many similarities and both are fundamentally about people and empathy. Johnny Holland does a remarkable job at celebrating <a href="http://johnnyholland.org/2010/04/ixd-architecture/">the connection between architecture and interaction design</a>. My transition from Architect to UI/UX designer was completely self-directed, so I wrote this article to help others in a similar situation who may be considering a transition to something completely new.
Reflecting on my first year, here are 9 most important things I did:
1. Forget about winning or losing
The best part of a self-directed journey is that it comes without the formalities of a curriculum. It was refreshing to reconnect with a student-like mentality (without the distraction of grading). It was liberating to define my own goals and to create my own benchmark for success. I put together my own agendas and weighted the value of each exploration. In lieu of reaching out to other students I reached out to the broader UI/UX community who were unbelievably helpful and supportive. Shout out to <a href="https://medium.com/@erikdkennedy">Erik Kennedy</a> who encouraged me to write this article. The best course I did in my first year is <a href="http://learnui.design/">Learn UI Design</a>, a video course by Erik Kennedy. Highly recommended!
2. Present your projects:
Another great thing was to become more extroverted. Instead of inward learning, I made a conscious effort to turn outward. I presented my ideas, processes and outcomes on different forums and to different people, even pets…We have two dogs in the office. Embracing criticism was fundamental in the first year — the process was important to help identify and articulate the different considerations, values and motivations. I found people to present my work to by reaching out to favourite UI/UX designers on different websites including <a href="https://dribbble.com/">dribble</a>, <a href="https://www.behance.net/">behance</a> and <a href="https://www.awwwards.com/">awwwards</a>. I asked questions and put myself out there in ways that were challenging for me. Their feedback and willingness to help was incredible.
<img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*-3Po080UJaDDfiBR1EUb4Q.png">A couple of my first projects
3. Find a mentor
Find someone willing to invest in your growth, I reached out to two local designers in Melbourne. We catch up on a fortnightly basis. One week we talk about their work, the next week we talk about mine. We present our paid work and talk about more practical challenges. My mentors have led to new connections, partnerships and friendships in a previously foreign industry. Local events and happenings are a great way to find mentors who are willing to help. <a href="https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/">Meetup</a> is great for this — <a href="https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/uxpsychology/">UX and Psychology Melbourne</a> and the <a href="https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/The-UX-Design-Group-of-Melbourne/">UX design Group of Melbourne</a> are active and awesome!
4. Keep the momentum going
I made a conscious effort not to stagnate in the first year. I put together a list of resources for daily inspiration and reading. Some of these resources include <a href="https://usabilitygeek.com/">usability geek</a>, <a href="http://uxmag.com/">uxmag</a> and <a href="https://www.smashingmagazine.com/category/uxdesign/">smashing magazine</a>. I prioritised my social feeds to include all things UI/UX design. Some of my favourite individuals to follow are <a href="https://twitter.com/lukew">Luke Wroblewski</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/brad_frost">Brad Frost</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/boagworld">Paul Boag</a>. In addition to full-time work I did coursework on a weekly basis. <a href="https://brainstation.io/">Brainstation</a> run some great courses on <a href="https://brainstation.io/course/online/user-experience-design">User Experience Design</a>. Complete immersion and doing things with conviction were critical during the first year.
5. Break the rules
My first goal was to understand the <a href="https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ux-design/the-difference-between-ux-and-ui-design-a-laymans-guide/">difference between UI and UX design</a>. My goal was to deconstruct the core principles, so for me the most effective method was copy-work. <a href="https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2017/02/improving-ui-design-skills-copywork/">Smashing magazine</a> also have a great article on this. I viewed my background in architecture as an asset. It was my way to find solutions with unexpected agendas that challenge the status quo. Creativity and playfulness drove discovery, my <a href="https://500.co/fail-fast-often-by-design/">intention to fail</a> was critical to overcoming obstacles.
6. Develop broad influences
Some say the <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=nLFFC1kKNqIC&amp;pg=PA55&amp;lpg=PA55&amp;dq=brain+can+only+imagine+what+we+have+seen&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=Ita3uJQT2S&amp;sig=Klw8EZiNzJpwBoDlX4wYMkrOYVw&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjQh9H007_XAhUKkJQKHQrQDsEQ6AEINjAG#v=onepage&amp;q=brain%20ca">human brain is only capable of imagining the reproduction of what we have seen</a>. If true, it’s my job to see as much as humanly possible. During the first year I connected with other influencers and mentors from outside the industry. Maintaining broad influences and talking with people like <a href="http://henryrollins.com/">Henry Rollins</a> allows me to learn from vastly different perspectives and backgrounds. Connecting to my love of punk, psychology and architecture on a daily basis keeps me motivated and ensures I don’t get stuck recycling the same ideas.
7. Upskill
It was confronting to be without the tools and techniques to communicate my ideas. As a builder of sorts, I needed a hammer and chisel. I learnt <a href="https://www.sketchapp.com/">sketch</a>, <a href="https://www.invisionapp.com/">Invision</a> and <a href="https://www.adobe.com/au/products/xd.html">Adobe XD</a>. I mostly work in sketch but use Adobe XD to deliver working prototypes. I found hacks to save time and boost my motivation. I even learnt the basics of code so I could communicate my design thinking to developers who work within different constraints. <a href="https://www.codeschool.com/">Code school</a> was great for the basics. I even sharpened my verbal and written skills to better communicate with clients.
8. Learn project management
It was challenging to manage my time and resources, whilst learning on-the-job in a foreign industry. To overcome this, I levelled-up my project management skills. I approached each day with a to-do-list and each item was ranked by perceived importance. This allowed me to direct my energy on the right things, at the right time. Every decision was about allocating effort, time, money or resources for maximum gain. Reading about modern business management was very helpful, <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/">entrepreneur</a> was a great resource.
9. Embrace the serendipitous
One thing I didn’t do was to predict the outcome of any process in my first year. My goal was to ensure I never denied myself the opportunity to discover the unexpected. I allowed my research, resources and processes to evolve organically, without anticipating the outcome. I embraced the serendipitous and tapped into my insight and intuition. Trusting my gut helped a great deal in the first year.
All of these were unbelievably helpful in my first year from Architect to UI/UX designer, during which time I also found happiness and overcame depression. I hope that my journey is useful to other people. Please feel free to email <a href="mailto:linda@honestfox.com.au">linda@honestfox.com.au</a> if you have any questions. I would love to hear your own experiences and advice in the comment section below.
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From Architect to UI/UX Designer — 9 things I did in the first year.

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