So you’ve been hearing about UX design for a little bit now and you’re wondering if it’s time for you to make the career switch. You’ve got all the bootcamps pinned in your browser, you’ve heard about some local (or virtual) UX Meetups but haven’t mustered up the courage to go, and you just discovered the magical (overwhelming) world of Medium.
Well after all of that, I’m glad you’ve stumbled upon ME. If you don’t know me, I’m Amanda Worthington. I’m an engineer turned software consultant turned UX designer, host of the UX Hustle Summit and UX Hustle podcast, and your biggest cheerleader in UX and life.
My biggest piece of advice to up-and-coming UXers is to use the UX process on yourself and your career. The UX process is a proven, reliable system for getting customized, personal results. To me, it’s the magic bullet to solve all problems. Discover, Define, Design, Diagnose, Deliver — REPEAT. And here’s the secret: You’re never actually done going through this process for yourself. Because that’s how life works! And that’s what’s magical about it! So welcome to the exciting, terrifying, joyful experience of not knowing what to do! Because all you have to do is take the next best step in the process and keep going.
If you want a list of the tips and tricks and advice I frequently give on my 1:1 calls, fill out this form and you'll receive it in your inbox! Then you'll be WELL on your way to your next big UX move!
In one 90-minute call, you'll start with a big idea that seems far-off, impossible, or just plain crazy and we'll turn it into an actionable plan.
When I first worked on my portfolio at General Assembly, my goal was to get a job. And that was it. My portfolio was a means to an end — showcase that I could in fact design some interfaces, a prototype, using some sort of UX process.
When I think of the core tenets of UX design, I think of these: You are not the user. If you’re too close, ask someone or take a break. When in doubt, test it
I’ve been feeling STUCK. 2020 really threw me for a loop, and while I know I’m not alone in that, it feels pretty lonely in quarantine with Netflix and my dog.
I remember waking up on Monday morning, January 2017, and dreading getting out of bed. Gradually over the course of the 2 years I stopped traveling for work, my start time pushed later and later. I told myself it was because my clients were on the West Coast or because I wasn’t on call until 10:30am anyway... but really... I knew.
Last week I received the surprising news that I would no longer be working at PGi. And while I’m grateful for the way they handled it and the timeline they’ve given me, it’s kind of like that break-up that you sort of saw coming and wish you had gotten to it first (except not really because #severance).