How I became a product designer | My journey!
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
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So, how did I become a product designer without a design degree? I wanted to share more about my journey into becoming a product designer and how I got to working as a designer at Uber. Watch the video to find out!
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//LINKS
The diploma I did: www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learn...
// MORE
Portfolio: www.femke.co.nz/
Blog: www.femke.co.nz/articles
Podcast: www.designlife.fm/
// SOCIAL
Twitter: / femkesvs
Instagram: / femkedotdesign
I really love hearing these stories from product designers. Most of the product designers I know and work with don’t have any “official” design degree.
And you are a product designer? That's great👍
Femke : "spoiler alert, i don't Have design Degree"
Me, an IR student : Thank God......
I love hearing how people come to the field! Thanks for sharing this.
Hi.. R u product designer.. Same here.. Thx
thanks for sharing! :) it's always comforting to hear designers' stories of non-traditional paths into design, since my path was also non-traditional, lol.
I'm 30 now and I just figured out that I want to become a product designer. So frustrating knowing that I wasted a lot of time on the things I didn't really like. Well, it is what it is. I'm pretty optimistic. Starting my UX bootcamp soon 😇
@@femkedesign thanks! 🤗
I hope your journey has been going very well. I'm past 33 and am just realising I'd like to go into UX/product design. It's never too late.
Funny thing is that I never really realized I had studied bits of this already in undergrad. I've gotten over my sadness at the late realisation and am moving forward.
I wish you the best of luck.
Omg! Im literally there now. Im 32 and have worked at daycare all my life and after all this time I've FINALLY realised I want to be a product designer, just applied for uni.. fingers crossed😆🙏
Hi! I just heard you speak at DesignX conference a couple of days ago and then saw that you have a whole channel on Product design. Thanks a lot for sharing! It's super interesting to watch your videos! I am currently taking a PG degree in UX design, coming from a whole other non-related field and am feeling a bit awkward and sometimes lost. Your videos put me back on track. :)
I've gotta say this is super helpful seeing the seemingly roundabout way you approached becoming a product designer. I'm on a similar journey myself, jumping from an illustration background to marketing/brand design, and I'm hoping to make the jump to product as well. I've followed you and Charlie on design life for years but its great to see some of your personal journey - Thanks again for documenting this!!
I actually went into college in 2006 with double majoring in marketing and design. 6 years later, I graduated with a BFA in Visual Communications (Graphic Design) and BBA in Marketing. At the time, my professors didn't really think it was a good idea, but as I progressed through both, I had both my design and business professors tell me I was making a smart decision by majoring in both. It has served me well as I've been freelancing since 2007 and full time since 2012.
This is awesome. Thanks for sharing, Femke 💯
Incredibly inspiring story. Thank you for sharing your journey with us 🙏🏼☺️
Thanks for sharing!! I'm amazed that you, as many people comment here, don't have a traditional design career. As a person who had a conventional design career, I think have designers with different backgrounds help to improve the design teams with so many insights!
It's really nice to hear your background Femke. Actually most of Product Designers doesn't come from a Design Degree (Lucky the ones that they do), Me for example, I studied Computer Systems Engineering and switched to UI/UX Design field, that doesn't mean that I didn't study about UX/UI, I enrolled to an online education learning platform! that helped me to get the basic knowledge to start! One thing that I still struggle nowadays (and I think most of us designers that came from different fields) it's the impostor syndrome , maybe a topic to consider to talk about in your channel.
Omg thank you so much for this! I’m also a business major and am creative and also thinking of careers in design
Thanks for this breakdown, Femke - great elaboration on answering the 'do I need a degree?' question.
Thanks for sharing your story. Since i finish my studies, i wanted to be a FE(frontend) developer but later i found out that there's more career path with UIUX design and product manager etc. so i found out that one thing i really wanna do for my rest of life is to be a PM who plan for a service. I find your channel so useful and it will help me to reach to my goal. thank you so much
Thanks for sharing this. I've been watching your videos for some days and I must commend how honest and real you've been with what you share.
Thank you! This means a lot to me :)
Thank you for sharing! My undergrad work was in journalism/news design, which has led me into marketing and graphic design. But I really want to be a product designer (on the day job side). It's the closest design thing I've found to what newspaper design was at its best. I went and got a Master's Degree in art to be a photography instructor, but then that dried up, too. haha. ANYWAY, this is inspiring! I've been trying to find training that's not all self-starting freelance, but isn't yet more school to pay for.
We have such a similar story. I have a marketing background and I'm now working on transitioning into product design! Subscribed. :)
OMG! I am so surprised to hear other people's experiences work there especially the people that have 2 Ux project experiences. I am Physicist and I decided to change my career to UX designer. You gave me hope, thanks to you so much...
Hi Femke!
You, saying that you don't have a design degree, gave me a sense of relief ..😅 because I'm kinda at a point where I'm entering the designing field after completing a degree in a totally different one.
So, thank you for sharing this.
It was encouraging.
Hi! I just discover your channel, and your journey is amazing, really inspiring. I have a degree in graphic design, but I started to get tired of it, so I´m trying to make this transition to the Product Design field. I'm sucribed from now on, you have inspired me to continue my journey.
@@femkedesign ✌
Thank you for sharing your story! I have degrees in Psychology, and I’m looking into a career in UX! I do design work on my own already, and you gave me motivation to compile my work into a portfolio and pursue a job in this!
any updates on the job search?
@@zanderjeter2641 I'm currently working as a Product Specialist at a Software Company, and a part of my job is product/ux design! It's a small, growing company so there is no official UX role yet (we all do ux design in some capacity), but I'm hoping to carve out that niche for myself and become a Product/UX Designer or Product Manager within the next year or so.
Wow hard working girl 👏👏👏 your story is inspiring me to rech higher and better hights ! Thank you for sharing your story
Thanks Femke!, Great journey!
Thanks for sharing this story, i study marketing currently and started learning graphic design beside it too then i got into ui/ux design and i like it more lol
and yeah i think marketing knowledge helps with design process
This was a huge help. Thank you so much. 😄
Yay a fellow kiwi 🥝 thanks for sharing! This is the post straight forward video I’ve come across :)
I loved this video! I will study marketing next year in university but would love to be a UI and UX designer
Femke in the beginning of the video: "I do not have a design degree"
Me(A software developer): "sighs in relief"!
I share a similar journey except that I went on to do a postgraduate degree in Economics, did a short course in analytics, worked 2 non design related jobs and then went on to do a diploma in graphic design and now finally trying to transitioning to product design! 😁
Really enjoyed your story! Thanks for sharing Femke!
Hi Famke, Thanks for sharing your journey, its quiet similar to my journey i did Master in Commerce but meanwhile i was interested in drawings and graphic work i joined one small institute who introduce me all media softwares like Indesign, photoshop, illustrator, Maya, Flash etc i learn the tools and i was so tempted to do graphic work banner design etc than i got my first part time job which related to website design, i learn all aspects of web design from few jobs i have done, i learned wordpress, HTML CSS everything, than i joined one company who does digital solutions that changed my career path, i came across portal solutions, find problem try to solve it with design aspect i read a lot of articles, books an come across different aspect of design sprint, ideation, user testing, agile etc. and now i am tempted to do more UX work, i have shifted to UK 2years back, i have attended several meetups and learn a lot. i can relate my self with you "Self Taught Designer". I am still waiting for the opportunity as my first language is not english so still practicing on presentation. do you recommend any certification i should do?
the same thing i m facing like i have done BBA and now i want to come into design and this video really motivated me,
thanks
I love you. You don't just inspire me you give I get that drive to thrive for excellence....... I also feel really hopefull
Thanks for sharing your story!
As a fellow kiwi looking at getting into product design, your videos are suuuper helpful. Kia ora e hoa.
I love this! Same commerce background as you, but spent a few years doing a job I didn't love before I realised I wanted to be a product designer and it was time to take active steps and make a switch. About to start my grad cert in design. Fingers crossed 🤞🤞
@@femkedesign thank you! :)
Thanks for sharing! Really love the story telling
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really great video. Helped me to get back the lost mojo in design.
glad i found someone who relates to the EXACT SAME bg lol. I too went to business then after graduation I was like, CRAP lol. same crap i guess
this is what i am now. I am just deciding how i could go for to work in design!
Thank you so much for sharing this! Inspiring story!
You are so welcome!
Moral of the story, never listen to people who say you can't do something. Figure a way out. I've been a product designer for 8 years. People will always say it's impossible until it's done - in design and life. Keep killin it! We see the growth
Thank you very much for this!
I searched for Figma portfolio related content, and know my interest has peaked in UI/UX / Product design
Thanks for sharing!
Inspiring story! I'm a motiongrapher but recently have been seeing alot of people transitioning to product designer and I myself is intrueged since it may actually suited me more. I have a bit of money to spend on bootcamp but still don't know wheter I have to spend it on motion design or product design. Let's see what happen one year from now.
Great video! I'm a BA and started learning UX at my company a year ago, I think it goes well what I struggle with is that I don't feel I belong because I have no education and I still haven't called myself a designer. There are some opportunities to learn but I have 3 kids and it is hard to find time and these courses usually happen after work and on the weekends. So it is not easy but I won't give up!
@@femkedesign That makes sense, thanks Femke :)
I'm PARTLY on the same boat as you are, but you have 3 kids while I have just one! Props to you!
Great story 👍😊❤️ I just subscribed to your CZcams channel
All the degrees, education, and diplomas in the world could never top or even compete with pure creative talent. And it's definitely not a necessity in the creative realm.
u motivate me alot
Thank you!
The formal degree is just a formality. I'm a product designer too, i have a computer science degree but most of my knowledge comes from my work experience, personal project, and obviously reading book.
Omg i also dont have a design degree, I’m already a senior in uni majoring in marketing... and I really want to be a designer!! I’m just self studying graphic design rn
thats my very story.. done Business degree in Marketing ... dreamt about packaging nd billboards .. got sold to Ad agencies at the time ..now looking into UX/UI...i compleately forgot PS and illustrator which i learned a while ago for branding .. is PS and AI required for UX and UI roles? any graphic design experiance required ? thanks
We need more videos
I am 17 from Melbourne and I am interested in Web Design and UX/UI. I am in my final year at school and have no clue what do do. I am stressing about what to do and how I am going to earn a living. I feel as though you have to be the best of the best to earn a great living as a designer.
Hi, are their any vacancies like I have done my masters in mechanical design in Deakin.
PGDIP is the one with out final dissertation/Thesis
This is literally the story of my career decisions.
I said exactly the same “I want to create billboards and awesome campaigns” haha
Thank you for telling your story
cool to hear. did you request to transfer over to the Toronto office? how was that process? as im UK based at the moment, but want to get over to NY/SF, but thinking of working for global org in london/european city then try get transfer over after working for them for a year or so (sounds so simple--probs doesn't happen exactly like that in practice). would love to hear how you managed to get over to Toronto!
having a good binge of your content, very useful for where i am in my career. thanks!
@@femkedesign and they were supportive for your move? or was it quite a push to get it going? as i can imagine you weren't the only one wanting a transfer somewhere..? thanks a bunch
Femke / Design CZcamsr okay, still a bit of an ordeal for you then, glad you made it through the other side. Cheers for the insight femke
I am a product designer and did'nt have a design degree but started my career as a developer.
I am soo confused if i should sign up for Graphic or Product designer!!! Dont know what to choose :/
Anybody can become a designer without having any design diploma/degree. I guess its the only field that allow anybody to become designer without any design cert.
We have a similar journey
i just started my product designing journey just started the race about two months now and no degree in design but i have experience with graphics designing
Awesome! Graphic design is a great complimentary skill to have.
Great video! PS. I LOVE your name! What does it mean?
Were you already living in Canada when you applied for the job at Uber or did they move you here?
@@femkedesign Very cool! Hope you're loving Toronto :)
This was so helpful! What majors should I take if I want to be a cosmetics product developer?
Not sure sorry! I'm not familiar with that role.
When you applied for uber, was there a requirement where you needed to have like 2+ years of experience? I see in big tech companies (and I guess most companies) that you need years of experience in entry-level UX/product design positions or else you need to be in school to become an intern.
@@femkedesign Thanks Femke!!! Love your podcast with Charli btw! I'm a fan :)
If you don't have money or time for a degree, are bootcamps worth it?
7:38 so what is the difference ?
Hey! this video is really interesting! Thanks for sharing! I have a question though, "product designer" usually indicates to designers who create physical products or concepts that lead to the manufacturig of physical products. Aren't you more of an interface/digital designer?
Nowadays Product Design pertain to digital product design, and designers who create physical products are called Industrial Designers.
Cool video thanks for sharing, can u give some advice for industrial design as well.
@@femkedesign actually I am going about product design (industrial design ) the same way as to you went through, the design school fees are very high in India and i did my bachelor's degree in electronics but want to go 4 product design but not UI/X, I am working on my portfolio for the moment.
@@femkedesign thank you for your reply.
Hi Femke! Are you originally from the Netherlands? You have such a Dutch name
Hi Femke,
How do you start learning on you own without a degree and also not get overwhelmed?
Also, is it possible to send you a message.
How you became a product designer?.
In the U.S it seems you need a combination of the two...Business (preferable marketing) and general/ basic design skills.
I really doubt most people with just general graphic design/ web design or a creative degree alone would be able to advance to that level.
It wasn't because of any creative classes or stuff you did (thats more for general UX design). The Business degree likely helped the most and the marketing. But it was your COMMUNICATION SKILLS and your ability to get along and speak with different kinds of people. That helped you to advance faster in the field....as silly as it sounds
This video explain show I became a product designer :) I'm not familiar with requirements in the US.
do you have any videos on the cost of living of a designer?
I don't! Cost of living is often determined more by your location, not your occupation so I'm not sure I understand.
What's the job of a person who looks at the market and comes up with designs to compete with the market? Sort of in between marketing and product design.
@@femkedesign thanks for replying, when you say "product does that refer to physical objects and devices like say a phone and a laptop, or does that mean any type of service. Also is there coding involved ? I'm in college right now but I have switched majors many times and have difficulty getting through college in general I am looking for a creative field that pays well and doesnt take long to get into. Getting a bit of a easier degree and trying to break in to this type of field is something I'd be interested in.
Haha! Providence! I'm a third year student who's been pursuing a business degree and I want to get into product design :D
Have you used sketchup? Any thoughts on it? I love it but I havent developed the skills for "finishing" work to make my designs pop.
I have used it for my architecture projects. You should def give it a try, but consider using Vray to render as it's not enough with sketchup. :)
I'm from India what fee should I pay or will it be online?
Can you elaborate? I'm not sure what you're asking about.
' Crap did i just waste 3 years of my design degree where i sould hv done design' --- those are my words , thats so resonates with me ...hahaha... and i than i added why did i just learn accounting and law for godsake when u want to make billboards lol
@@femkedesign Femke , i am looking to learn about augmented /virtual reality UX ...but dont fancy gaming side , do you see that integrated more into apps /business design side in future?thanks Femke
How did you get a job at Uber with no product design experience?? I am literally amazed, all their ads say 3+ years experience, good for you though
This video where I walk through my portfolio I used to apply at Uber might help: czcams.com/video/JJk0I_jWSc4/video.html
How did you move to canada ahaha
An internal job transfer :)
Jeez tone down the music
epic
I'd argue you do have a design degree though
It's a diploma :) I have a degree in Commerce.
I am planning for my masters so I am in a turmoil whether I should choose MA in product design or MA in user experience design…somewhere it felt ux would be too specific….and product design involve ux, furniture D, product management too….I want to be flexible as per future opportunities…just wanted to know your point of view🥹