Published on | Prototyping: From UX to Front End — Medium Judit “Jud” Nordsmark

Getting used to general customs as a newly educate designer is not at all easy.

In the beginning of my time as a ‘real’ designer, I’ve made mistakes that can be described as… well, stupid.

Is that a harsh word to use? Well, yes. But being reflective seems to be the way forward. Self criticism, right?

It all goes down to planning and finding a way to keep yourself disciplined throughout the process. Something as simple as a checklist would be a big help — but no! I’m a designer, and I can do it without this very helpful tool. It’s all in my head anyway.

“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”
– Confucius

I couldn’t have been more wrong. Recently one of my clients got a product from me, which had many mistakes. It was not entirely my fault that the process grew in difficulty and was overall a mess, but it could’ve been reduced quite a bit — if I had known to use simple procedures.

Us newly educated people tend to think that we know everything we need to know, and that we’re able to make perfect products. After all, we’ve been taught everything we need to know — right? School made us armour for our adventures! Right…?

No. The real deal has only just begun. Our journey is much longer, and thinking that designing is a simple process is completely wrong. You realise this once you start working, and when a few people threw hissy fits at you.

Did you deserve the yelling and complaining? Oh yeah, and you need to get used to it. Hopefully it will happen less over time, but you’ve got to build your own armour.

It takes discipline, of course, a trait I believe I have. But without a plan, being throughout during the whole process, and doing several needed check-ups, is however what makes discipline irrelevant.

I’m not a great designer. Not yet. I have to learn, and I know.

Maybe I’ll start by building a helmet to protect my stupid head.

This reflection was made while sitting on the bathroom floor of my workplace. Have a laugh and relate.

I’m a newbie designer — and I know. was originally published in Prototypr on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

I’m a newbie designer — and I know.

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