My wife is looking at making a transition from graphic design to UI/UX and is having some issues just getting an interview. Is there discrimination towards designers who were graphic designers prior? I am confused because her resume and past work look better than most UI/UX people I work with (I am a software engineer). Maybe I am biased but stuff seems kinda messed up in the UI/UX space as far as career opportunities. Also if you know of any companies either remote or in the Irvine area hiring such a role let me know :) thanks!
She has both a mix of full on process oriented content and web design as well as print and digital design. She has no real experience as a UI/UX designer other than a personal project that took into account the full spectrum of the UX idealogy. I'll take into account your feedback and give her portfolio a glance with that in mind.
Hello! Curious where your wife stands a year out? What did she decide/do? I am a career crafting coach working with a woman in a similar position. She is fascinated by UX, more so than she ever was by graphic design, but her "resume" sounds quite similar to what you describe.
Her experience is print and digital and web design. She worked at agencies in NYC and recently redesigned some major websites for automotive companies at her last job.
For UI/UX role she should have a separate portfolio or revamp her portfolio to reflect it. She only needs 3-4 full case studies. 2 might work with her other work to show her visuals. I’d remove all print stuff unless they’re super compelling. It’s not relevant and makes her seem not focused enough. Web is also tough because a lot of UI/UX designers like to see mobile work. Have her check out this and see if her portfolio aligns with it: https://blog.uxfol.io/category/ux-career/ ignore the articles about using their product (she can just use her own). I also like this: https://uxdesign.cc/how-i-designed-and-built-my-ux-design-portfolio-from-scratch-f1f9b5261029 You can see what a entry level designer is doing in their portfolio. Moving from graphic to product design your wife is going to probably start as an entry level designer. UI/UX entry level is super competitive. Edit: also a book she might be interested in picking up is “Solving product design exercises” by Artiom Dashinsky. It focused on whiteboard challenges and take home assignments but it’s really helpful in showing exactly what the interviewer is evaluating and what they’re looking for in a Product designer. She should take the process and steps there and tailor her portfolio to be similar.
UI/UX is incredibly competitive right now. I recently put up a posting for a product design intern and received about 220 applicants. I stopped going through most of them, and hired the one I thought had the most thorough portfolio, and best presentation skills. I started out as a graphic designer myself, back when UI/UX wasn't really a thing and just naturally transitioned into product design. I would recommend for your wife to take a bootcamp class for UI/UX design, to learn about the processes and get some deep portfolio pieces. The students coming out of those programs now have some really impressive internship experiences and portfolios.
She can join us at OC UX Meetup, next month there's a portfolio review she would benefit from coming to. There's a wide range of attendees that can help her get a UX network started. Loads of UI designers transition to UX, but it isn't the same field. So having a network will help. https://www.meetup.com/Orange-County-User-Experience/events/lgsxgryzpbcc/
Awesome thanks. I'll forward her this link and have her check it out. Her network here is small since we just moved from Detroit to Irvine, but building it up would by doing some meetups would be great.
Yes there’s 100% discrimination. She doesn’t have the right experience. Resume also doesn’t matter much. It is mainly just the portfolio. Is her portfolio built like a UX designer’s portfolio? Filled with case studies? Or is it only the final product? UX cares more about the process than the final result. That being said she might have better luck being a production designer or a systems designer. What was her graphic design experience? Print? Marketing?