In this chat, students tell a little about their Backgrounds, the sakes who made them migrate from the area and talk about Change process for UX/UI.

In addition, they also share tips for those who want to become a UX/UI Designer but don't come from an area related to Design.

Check out this insight-filled conversation with our students from our program MID.

To start this meetup, I'm going to ask you to tell me a little bit about yourself, in a nutshell

Daniel: I worked as a Motion Designer for about ten years. Over that period I visited some interesting places until, in 2016, I decided that I wanted to migrate to UX. At that time I started the MID course and after a while I ended up moving to Toronto, Canada, where I am still working as a UX/UI Designer.

Diogo: I worked in advertising from 2007 to 2018. At the end of 2017, I also joined the MID, probably in the same class as Daniel. With a short course time, in mid-2018, I was able to enter the UX area. Now, I work as a UX Designer at Indra with Luka, also a student at the MID.

Luka: I also worked in advertising for a long time, starting in 2009. In mid-2017 I got tired — I saw that the culture didn't match much with what I believed and I left. I started working as a Designer in a strategic consultancy, where I learned a lot about Design Thinking. In fact, that's what ended up leading me to discover UX/UI Design. I fell in love with the area, joined the MID and here I am, working as a UX Designer with Diogo at Indra.

Victor: I also come from the Art Direction, like Diogo and Luka. I worked in the area for about 8 years, always working as an agency. In my last experience, I ended up being able to migrate from an area inside and started working more with the interface. I also started the MID at the end of 2017, perhaps with the staff, and a few months later, in July 2018, I started working at Itaú as a Product Designer.

Joyce: I have a degree in advertising and have a background in Art Direction. I worked for 8 years in this area until I ended up being unhappy with the publicity, feeling a lack of purpose. That's when I I found the UX Design. Shortly thereafter, I found Aela and Master Interface Design (MID) and began my journey.

Why did you decide to migrate to UX/UI Design? What was the motivation?

Victor: I think there are several reasons. At the time I graduated in advertising, we didn't have a background focused on that side. I went to this area because I liked to draw and make stories. You end up entering that world and wanting to be an Art Director and you continue in that area.

However, over time, you notice that there is another creative area that is growing, unlike advertising, which is losing a lot on this side. Advertising currently doesn't solve anyone's problems, it doesn't help anyone, it has the simple purpose of selling.

The agency culture is also very peculiar, of working hard and turning the night away, and I ended up getting tired of it. I saw this other creative area growing (UX Design), zone in which I could create something important, that would have an impact, and so far I can say that this choice has been very cool.

Luka: Speaking of that part of agency culture, I remember that a former Creative Director said for our team that worked hard and tirelessly was part of the game. That's when I realized that, really, this is part of the game and that I didn't want to play.

I thought about migrating when I was in consulting. I used to work with Design and used it a lot Design Thinking. Over time, I saw how the methodology is applied in UX Design.

This problem solving, of you being able to balance what is best for the customer and what is best for the user; that was the challenge I was looking for in advertising and I ended up not finding it and found it in the UX and product area.

Joyce: During my years in advertising, I tried a little bit of everything: I started making PowerPoint, I worked with events, Advertising and much more. After trying everything, I ended up getting tired.  

I realized that I wanted a little more purpose in what I was doing. Especially in the area of Advertising, I see that it's a war in which you try to force solutions to problems that don't exist or won't be solved. I started to be very disappointed in that regard, so I started looking for alternatives and found O UX/UI Design And the MID.

Diogo: I think that's more or less what they said. That part of the glamor of advertising is really cool, when you can place your art in a billboard or commercial. However, if I can generate any value with this type of action, it is something forced, which adds nothing and does not impact anyone's life.

At the company where I worked, I began to have more contact with the UX Design people. I started to learn more about the area and really like it.

I saw a case of a trucker who arrived home early because of an app and that messed with me, because the glamor of advertising no longer gave me anything, it was just campaigning.

After seeing that story, I saw that with my current job, I can add value to someone. As much as it is a sale, it is a conscious, pleasant sale that provides a good experience. This is something that adds a lot of value to me and caught my attention a lot.  

Daniel: Already during my TCC, I felt a gap in understanding the project's processes. I didn't have that in my background and I think it was sorely missed. I also always really liked the part of Business and, without a doubt, the UX/UI Design It is very linked to the company's purpose and business, so it was always an area that interested me a lot, I think that's the point for me.

In the last companies I worked for, I had a bit to apply Design Thinking, but I didn't think it was enough. I wanted to participate more in the process and see how the user responded to what was delivered to them. That's why I decided to migrate to UX Design.

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In the migration process, did you leave everything you did behind or did you bring your learning from previous areas to UX?

Diogo: In my case, I end up using the baggage I had from Design, especially in terms of concepts, and applying it normally to UI projects. In terms of apps, I no longer have Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign installed on my computer, I end up using Sketch more.  

Daniel: I have always worked with Motion, but I am a Designer by training and this certainly helps me a lot when looking for jobs. I see that those who have luggage or Background in the area it ends up being quite easy to enter the UX/UI Design market.

I continue to use Motion Design and I can also apply it to my projects. I think this is a differential that helps me stand out from the rest in the market, but I still think that people from other areas can have a lot of ease in this process of migrating to UX.

Luka: I think that for those who come from Graphic Design and Advertising, that issue of creativity through creativity, that is, creating something without thinking about why and how it helps people, ends up helping a lot when it comes to rethinking processes.  

As I exercised my creative side a lot in previous works, when doing a process I try to find a different and more interesting solution. So, I think we were able to bring to UX/UI Design some of that creativity and exercise of freeing ourselves and looking at things from different angles to find a better way out.

Victor: In advertising, we become very much the owner of our ideas and products. I think that when we switch to a UX/UI Design or Product Designer environment, we still keep a lot of that.

I notice that people who come from other areas don't have much of that, but those who come from advertising fight for their ideas quite strongly.

Joyce: I think people who come from Design have some advantages in relation to methodologies, such as Agile, Design Thinking and Sprint. I think that if you know these methodologies, you can get ahead.

Would you say that English is essential to work in UX Design?

Daniel: I think it's essential. It's no use here in Canada, if you don't know, you don't have anything to do. But they don't care about the accent, the What matters is knowing how to communicate and position yourself.

Of course, there may be something or another that you don't understand and you need to ask them to explain to you, but I've never had a problem with that. There's no other way, English is essential in UX.

Victor: I think English is extremely important, Whether we like it or not, on a daily basis we use tools and read articles in English. I've done some interviews in the language, but I'm currently a bit rusty. Right now I'm trying to get back to practicing every day to recover.

Joyce: Today, English is no longer a differentiator, it is essential. There is a lot of good material for study and employment, and the tendency is that even if the company is Brazilian, it wants to become global.

If you can't speak English, I think you end up missing out on great opportunities. If you are seeking an international career or in a large company, it is completely necessary to have and continue to improve yourself.

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What tips would you give to those who want to migrate to UX Design but don't come from a Design background?

Victor: I think that regardless of what area the person goes to, most likely she will be able to add something from her background to this new area. It's very possible to migrate to UX/UI from another area.

Diogo: I think that part of turning UX Design is One more Mindset that you change. Most of us come from Design, so maybe we have an easy time at UI Design. Someone who comes from psychology, for example, may have an easier time in UX Design.

For me, it was something that happened unexpectedly. I started doing the interviews and gradually understanding what the recruiters wanted and I was packing up my portfolio. When I saw that I had done a lot of interviews and heard a lot.

The process of migrating to an unfamiliar, or just a different, area can be a bit daunting. Therefore, it is important that you are sure of your decision, seek to qualify as best as possible, and have a community to support you in this process.

What were the mistakes and successes that you went through when it came to conquering an opportunity in UX/UI Design?

Victor: From the moment I started Master Interface Design (MID), I gave it a boost and studied with a lot of willpower. Taking your cues, I started to work a lot mine LinkedIn, posting thoughts and articles, and there came a time when some recruiters started to approach me — it was an unprecedented experience

On one occasion, I had just shared my portfolio updated and a third-party recruiter came to talk to me. I went to find out which company I was hiring just one day before the interview.

I didn't take any tests. During the interview, they opened my portfolio and asked some specific and design process questions. A week later, I received a positive response and it took another 10 days until I entered, and it was very fast.

I think that's the tip. Working on your LinkedIn, posting and showing your work, this is very important, especially in the beginning. As much as it may not be incredible, you show that you are dedicated and looking to improve. In addition, it allows you to evaluate your evolution over time.

Daniel: When I started applying, the processes were a bit different. I had telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews, with HR, with managers, dynamic interviews, in short. Until you get the hang of it, the truth is that this first moment is difficult. However, after a while, you begin to understand what to do and use various tips, such as those from Aela, until you eventually reach the final stage and receive a yes.

I did some tests involving application design and, once, I had to give a presentation to company directors. It's common to get nervous, but what matters is doing the right step by step.

Luka: Right when I decided to start applying, after starting the MID and quitting my job, I arrived at a time when I was able to change the entire structure of my portfolio, but I still didn't have works that showed my processes in UX/UI Design.

I went through some processes until I got a position. As much as you own the Mindset, if you don't have a job in the area, an application project, or system, recruiters notice that you're not prepared. Once I improved my portfolio, things became easier.

One tip is to try to be calm during interviews. At first, I was very nervous and it bothered me a lot. After hearing several noses, you end up relaxing and things flow better.

Joyce: I started studying at the MID in December 2017, but I set a goal that I would start looking for vacancies in UX/UI Design starting in August 2018. I did my best and ran as hard as I could to complete the modules.

Suddenly, I saw that there was a UX Design vacancy at a company where I had worked before, as Art Director, and I wanted to return. Run, I made a portfolio overnight, with module 1 and 2 of the MID, and sent it. It worked out, I was called for an interview and I ended up winning the position. With just a little bit of study, it was clear that I had the necessary knowledge and was able to perform the function.

Unlike the Art Director's portfolio, in UX you have to tell everything you did until you reach the final product. The most important point is that you are able to build a complete reasoning based on the projects you present. O Storytelling is very important in UX/UI Design. You need to tell the story, explain the facts, show the data, and be able to convey that in the interviews.

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Do you think that the selection process is easier if someone makes a referral? The community of Aela Did you help with this issue in any way?

Diogo: I think it helps, but you need to know who you're referring if it's not someone in your circle. When I heard about opportunities in UX/UI Design, I would let the course mentors know and they would recommend some people to me. Then I would talk to them until I defined who was the person that I thought was the most appropriate.

How do I know the mentors of Master Interface Design (MID), I know the methodology and the students' will. I don't think there's anything better than making our community go round. The Aela community is very strong and I think that together we will go further. I am a big believer in the MID study method, in mentors and in us, so whenever I need it, I will rush here.

I recommended many people from Aela for positions in companies where I worked and most of them got the vacancy

Luka: I am a firm believer that referral helps you get vacancies. Build a networking Give a Boost Giant, so much so that I got the position I'm in on Diogo's recommendation. All the processes I was participating in were frozen or canceled, so he called me to Indra and I got the UX/UI Design vacancy.

I think that just after being nominated, the recruiter looked at my portfolio with different eyes and we ended up getting along well when we met too. I think it makes it a lot easier, yes.

Tell us a bit about your early days as a UX/UI Designer?

Diogo: My notebook took a while to arrive, so I ended up developing practically an entire system based on pen and paper.

The first day is scarier, but on the second it calms down more, you get more on the axis. However, I think I had a good base, I was well prepared when I started, so it became more anxious on the first day.

Joyce: The first day is actually scarier, but since I was returning to a place where I had already worked, it turned out to be delicious too. I started off very relaxed, with some changes from a wireframe out of the box.

What made me most nervous was understanding the processes because each place has its own way, and the software. I have a PC at home, so I've never had the opportunity to test Sketch and here's everything behind it. I had some difficulties, but I received a lot of help and support, which made the experience smoother.

Luka: My notebook was also delayed about 45 days. I arrived at a time of Inception, so I attended several workshops that required only pen and paper, which ended up helping me a lot to understand the processes and how everything worked.

I wasn't so nervous when I started because I had some colleagues from the MID there, Diogo and Gabriel. So they knew exactly the situation I was in (migrating from an area and starting a new job) and they welcomed me very well.

Daniel: I also had an adaptation period in which I had to study and read a lot to understand more about the processes and clients. That, I think, was the scariest thing for me — to begin to understand all the new nomenclatures and acronyms and understand how the work process worked

But I was very well guided, so I can't say that I had problems. The problem is always to adapt, to understand where you are stepping on and to know how to position yourself within the process.

Victor: For me, what was more complicated, coming from an agency, was also the change of processes. There, we had a process more related to the waterfall, that is, one thing after the other. When I moved to my new job, I started to hear that bunch of acronyms and new methodologies.

That, I think, was the scariest thing for me—to begin to understand all the new nomenclatures and acronyms and understand how the work process worked. It took me a while to get used to it.

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And to conclude the chat, what tips would you give to those who want to migrate to UX/UI Design?

Joyce: It is very important to always be up to date with what you have in the area. Don't get caught up in trends, read everything you can — there's a lot of easily accessible content and communities that share success stories for study — attend events (do networking it's essential) and Do the MID.

Victor: Study hard, build your portfolio, have contacts and show that you are interested - post on LinkedIn, go to events, participate in UX Design communities - because the more immersed, the easier it is to get a first opportunity in the areaa.

Luka: I'm going to give you a tip that helped me to be a little less anxious. When you start studying, you will see that you have many methodologies. It's cool to read it and see what it is, but be calm and don't want to understand everything at once. As you gain experiences, it becomes easier to understand them all.

Daniel: From what I see, there's a lot of vacancy in UX/UI Design. The best tip I can give you is to do it step by step, without haste, because you have a lot of opportunities and you will not be left behind. There is room for everyone, you just have to do the Aela processes, and others you want, and do networking and one hour will work out.

Diogo: You have to study hard, dedicate yourself a lot and another thing that I think is very good is that you want a lot. If you want to change areas, you can do it. Meeting other people to exchange experiences is also essential.

Oftentimes, the process of changing areas can be complicated and daunting. However, if you are part of a community that supports and encourages you, it ends up being much easier.

Now, with all the advice and tips that Daniel Hildebrandt, Diogo Álvarez, Joyce Almazan, Luka Vasconcelos and Victor Rosato, students from Master Interface Design (MID), you can start your move to UX/UI Design prepared!