"Everything becomes perfect when you realize: Design is only one part of the job - you'll spend just as much time explaining, debating, and aligning with others. What to Do Instead Hunt down the "unfiltered" version of UX → Follow designers who share the messy side of the work.→ Think less Pinterest aesthetic, more "day in the life with endless Jira tickets.""
"Ask real humans→ DM junior or mid-level designers on LinkedIn and ask: "What's one thing you wish you knew before starting in UX?" They'll often give you the blunt truth. Can't find one? Talk to engineers - they love telling stories about designers who made impossible requests."
"Stop confusing UI with UX: → UI (User Interface) = the paint job (fonts, colours, shiny buttons). → UX (User Experience) = the engine (flows, usability, psychology). Imagine buying a Ferrari that looks amazing (UI) but breaks down at every stoplight (UX). You wouldn't drive it twice."
UX design requires substantial time spent communicating, debating, and aligning with cross-functional teammates in addition to crafting visual elements. Seek unfiltered, day-to-day accounts of UX work and prioritize practical exposure over curated aesthetics. Reach out to junior and mid-level designers for blunt, actionable advice and ask engineers about common designer pain points to understand team dynamics. Clearly separate UI (visual styling) from UX (flows, usability, psychology). Check local job boards before investing in courses because remote roles are becoming scarcer and location influences hiring opportunities. Treat early research as a reality check to avoid misdirected time and savings.
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