An Art Lover's Journey to UX Design

Hello, Fam!

Today, I want to give you a little more insight into this journey I embarked on about a year ago. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions, and I'm going to tell you how I got to where I am now. It's been a bit of a bumpy ride, I won't sugarcoat it. Starting from scratch is never a walk in the park, and embracing change can be quite the thrill, especially when your professional background isn't rooted in design, like mine. This is the last time I'll be going on about myself, I promise. But hey, I thought it'd be nice for you to get to know me a bit better. You know, context is everything, so here we go.

I've always been someone with a curious mind when it comes to culture. Art has always captivated me, not just for its aesthetics, but mainly for its storytelling power. Works of art speak to us about their times, their people, their customs, and ideals. A piece of art can tell you more about a historical period than an encyclopedia because it conveys emotions and energies, it captures moments that go beyond words. Art also delves into human behavior, how we think, express ourselves, and make sense of things. It's a lens into our way of seeing and depicting the world around us.

Because of all this, I decided to study Art History. That's exactly what I did for a while. I worked at an art gallery in Barcelona, first as an assistant and later as a manager. I spent more than three years deeply immersed in this world and learned a lot. I loved assisting artists in preparing their exhibitions, promoting them, crafting their stories, and making their dreams come true. But there's a part of this world they don't tell you about when you're studying – the instability. After a few years in a sector that deeply inspired me but barely paid my bills, I decided to explore new avenues that would allow me to grow, keep learning, and, well, pay the rent.

Since I'd worn many hats in the gallery, and those I enjoyed most were in the realm of Marketing and Communication, I ventured into a new job as a Talent and Content Manager at a modeling agency. I did a bit of everything – from handling castings to crafting content for social media, composing copy for email marketing campaigns, and keeping the website up to date. Those were intense years, filled with hard work.

Following this, one of the most significant opportunities of my life came my way – the chance to move to Sweden. There, I was offered a job at a startup looking to expand into the Spanish market. I had the incredible privilege of being part of that launch and witnessing the creation and design of a product almost from scratch. It was my first encounter with UI/UX design, and I began to grasp all the intricacies involved in bringing a new product to market. It was a one-of-a-kind experience. Being part of a startup is a whole different world, with its ups and downs, but undoubtedly, it's special and incredibly inspiring.

At that moment, it became clear to me. My place was right there, among the designers. I had zero knowledge of design, and my drawing skills were...well, let's just say they were far from impressive. But I did my research, set out to understand what being a UI/UX designer entailed, and realized that I could do it. Many of my soft skills (I talk about them here) were perfectly applicable to UI design, and especially to UX. If I committed to learning and putting in the effort, I could carve out a space for myself in the industry.

I'm sharing all of this to tell you that it doesn't matter if you come from a background that seemingly has nothing to do with UI/UX design (or whatever you want to pursue). Every bit of knowledge you've gained in your life is valuable and shapes you as a professional and as a person. Most importantly, even if it takes a while to find our path, even if we get sidetracked, lost, or face periods of being stuck, it's vital to keep moving forward and continue searching for our passion – what drives us and makes us feel complete.

Now that you know me a bit better, I'll start sharing in more detail all the processes, tools, and resources that have helped me get closer to my goal: becoming a UI/UX designer. I hope they serve you well, offer some assistance, or at the very least, inspire you to chase your own objectives.

So, there you have it, my story, a mix of twists, turns, and new beginnings. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences too. Have you had a career change, navigated new territories, or found your own unique path? Share your insights, stories, and questions in the comments below. Let's create a community where we can learn from one another, inspire each other, and support the journey of chasing our dreams. Your voice matters, and I can't wait to hear from you!

Thanks for making it this far – more coming soon!

Hugs from the UX-Verse,

Irene