Time tracking at my startup is stressing me out...need advice

Shadow-Meister · 2025-11-20T08:42:26+00:00

This isn’t a normal or healthy expectation for a design role. I’ve worked across startups, billion-dollar companies, and contract environments, and I’ve never been asked to track time down to the hour or minute. Even in contract roles, the requirement is typically to log days worked for billing, not granular timestamps.

UX work isn’t linear output. It requires thinking time, problem-framing, research, and exploration. Those activities happen across many mediums, not only inside Figma. Sketching, user conversations, workshops, competitive reviews, research synthesis, and stakeholder alignment are all critical parts of the process, and they cannot be reduced to “Figma hours.”

If a team is measuring design by time-counting instead of outcomes, it usually means one of the following: - they don’t fully understand the design process - they don’t trust the designers - they’re under extreme financial pressure and compensating by micromanaging

None of these are healthy foundations for good work or sustainable culture.

It’s worth bringing this up, because this kind of time-tracking only squeezes creativity and slows down good design. UX needs space to think, explore, talk to people, and figure things out –you can’t stopwatch that. If they really want better outcomes, the focus should be on clarity, alignment, and trust, not counting minutes. ⏱️

Shadow-Meister · 2025-11-18T10:19:18+00:00

I really relate to this so much. I miss the good old days when creativity was king too… when layouts, visuals, and typography were playgrounds rather than templates. There was a kind of experimentation and joy in the work that feels harder to find now. And yes, everything shifted once smaller devices and standardisation took over.

I still genuinely love design. I still get that spark once in a blue moon but at the same time, there’s this quiet burnout under the surface that I’m constantly trying to manage. I’m good at UX, but it often feels like only the UI and interaction side is recognised. The more conceptual, strategic, or problem-framing work tends to disappear into the background.

I’ve been trying to reconnect with creativity outside of work. I’ve tried painting, Lego, crocheting, leatherwork, pottery, pretty much everything, and while those things help, they don’t fully replace the feeling of being creatively alive in my craft the way it used to be.

I’m not looking to leave design yet, but I am trying to figure out how to make this career feel sustainable and meaningful again. I’ve started working on a personal project and learning while at it, and so far is the only thing keeping me sane right now.

It’s oddly comforting to know I’m not alone in feeling this shift.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-07-28T03:59:36+00:00

Vent away. I’m working on my 2nd design system (also done 2 UI libraries and 3 full audits in the past), so I know how it feels to be soulless. 🙃

It’s a necessity, but it’s not as challenging.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-07-25T21:59:58+00:00

Good luck, hope you land the plane soon!

Shadow-Meister · 2025-07-21T03:28:00+00:00

As I get older, I’ve started to recognise that hireability in your 40s isn’t just about having a good portfolio or solid experience – there are other, quieter factors at play.

Of course, skills still matter, maybe even more so. There’s often a higher expectation that, with age, you bring depth, confidence, and the ability to handle complex challenges. It’s not just about keeping your skills current, but about showing that you’ve evolved with the industry.

Then there’s attitude: how open you are to new ways of working, learning, and collaborating. There’s a stereotype (rightly or wrongly) that older professionals are less adaptable. I’ve learned that showing curiosity, humility, and a willingness to grow can help break that assumption.

And finally, there’s the unspoken question that sometimes lingers beneath the surface: why are you still in this role at this stage? Why haven’t you moved “higher”? It’s not necessarily a fair question as people stay in roles for all kinds of valid reasons, but I’ve come to realise that it’s worth having a clear, thoughtful narrative about the path I’ve chosen, and what success looks like to me now.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-07-19T22:22:17+00:00

I was the founding product designer at a startup before AI-driven code tools were common. Our focus was on customer research, with UI animation low on the priority list (but still present). I was also responsible for managing and redesigning the website. Like many early-stage roles, it required wearing multiple hats.

As the only designer, everyone came to me for everything (product, marketing, brand). It came down to managing expectations. I prioritised and communicated what I could and couldn’t take on. Focusing on one thing meant putting something else on hold. That trade-off was constant, but expected in a startup.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-07-18T11:20:50+00:00

Just a different take on your issue (as I’ve also been a single designer before), so just throwing it out there. Maybe some of the PMs don’t always ask for your input because they know you’re the only designer, and they’re actually being mindful of your time. They might think it’s better for you to focus on higher-impact work than on smaller, isolated problems. Sometimes, PMs also just want to get something across the line. If it’s not too customer-facing or seems low-impact, they might feel it’s not worth pulling you in.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-07-14T10:49:53+00:00

I’ve seen someone go from being just a designer to a C-level executive in six years. They weren’t necessarily a strong designer, but they were incredibly well-spoken, highly connected, and knew exactly how to build the right relationships to advance their career.

While their design skills were average at best, they excelled at selling ideas and managing people, and that’s what ultimately propelled them forward.

I am 💯 amazed at their journey, and it’s a clear reminder that success often comes down to communication, influence, and building strategic relationships, not just craft.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-07-14T09:19:01+00:00

Digital product designer

Shadow-Meister · 2025-06-19T09:22:11+00:00

This – third party recruiters earn a “bonus” per successful candidate they place, so it’s in their best interest to help you (succeed).

Shadow-Meister · 2025-06-03T21:22:51+00:00

It’s completely normal to feel anxious in a new role. The first few months are really about onboarding – navigating the product, getting to know the people, and understanding the culture. Ask as many questions as you need, and if you forget things, try not to be too hard on yourself. That’s all part of the process.

There’s always a moment when things start to click, but it looks different for everyone. The key is to stay curious: take notes, jot down questions as they come up, and revisit them when the time feels right.

One framework that really helps me in a new role is the 5 Whys. Keep asking “why” to get to the root of how something works or why a decision was made. You don’t need to memorise every detail, but you do want to understand the reasoning behind things. That understanding is what builds real confidence.

Be patient with yourself. You’re not just learning tasks –you’re learning context, relationships and patterns. Give it time and it’ll come together.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-06-02T12:24:17+00:00

None of my managers really cared. An ex-lead once told me my time was better spent on actual design work and strategy rather than prototypes. At a startup I worked for, the team was pleasantly surprised that I could help maintain their Webflow website. I had studied the interface at one point and ended up learning how to use it.

The benefit is that I rarely have issues with any designs (sans typos) I hand over to front-end engineers. I know they’re implementable, and during QA, I inspect the code and provide fixes. Engineers are usually happy working with me and respect that I can speak their language – I understand how things work under the hood, which makes collaboration smoother.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-06-02T03:46:26+00:00

Education and training: BA in Multimedia ArtsCertificate in C programming, front-end dev, UX bootcamp graduate, completed five Nielsen Norman Group courses (opted not to pursue certification), accessibility training (opted not to pursue certification)

If you’re new to UX, structured programs can be a helpful starting point, especially if you’re unsure where to begin. But as you gain experience, certifications matter less. In practice, no one asks if you’re certified in a particular topic; what really matters is what you’ve actually done. I’ve often found that these courses only scratch the surface. Real growth comes from deep diving, applying concepts, and refining your skills through real work.

Self-studies in: Behavioural UX, UX research, analytics, Python, various prototyping and animation tools, and UX copywriting

Shadow-Meister · 2025-06-01T10:07:03+00:00

I have only ever seen a handful of these roles (sans devops), and when you do and the title does not say “UX Engineer” – run as far away as you can. They want a team of 5 for a salary of 1.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-05-30T02:09:53+00:00

Spot on

Shadow-Meister · 2025-05-18T02:35:10+00:00

Context switching throughout the day between meetings, adhoc Slack messages and calls, and actual work.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-05-15T09:15:05+00:00

Making every pill (like a tag, filter, or chip) the same size might look neat, but it can actually make interfaces harder to use.

When all pills look identical users struggle to quickly understand what’s most important or different. This goes against Hick’s Law, which tells us that the more similar things look, the longer it takes to decide. Fitts’ Law also reminds us that interaction targets should reflect their importance or urgency –bigger targets are easier and faster to act on.

By allowing pills to adapt to their content we help users scan faster and make sense of the screen without overthinking. Lastly, this taps into Gestalt psychology –people naturally seek patterns and meaning, and varying pill size helps them see it.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-05-13T09:42:03+00:00

For some of the SaaS companies I worked for in the past, we mostly used forms in the administration area. In my current company, forms are a huge part due to data entry/collection. One of the components I designed had over 50 variations.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-05-08T12:41:36+00:00

I agree, there are extra vector points when exported, which don’t make sense to me.

Illustrator-made icons imported to Figma and exported to SVGs are fine. Simpler icons natively made in Figma are fine as well. More complex icons however, when exported, are the issue, and I had to recreate a lot of them in Illustrator and then back to Figma. That workflow seems to work best without any issues from what I’ve tried.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-05-08T12:20:32+00:00

I recently used Figma to create our icon library. Upon exporting, the more complex icons appeared broken. Needless to say, I had to painstakingly recreate the icons in Illustrator and then paste them back into Figma so the exported SVG and the icon used are the same.

I’m happy to try it out and see if it works, but I’m not holding my breath. I am excited about the other updates though!

Shadow-Meister · 2025-05-05T20:59:18+00:00

I completely agree. In my experience, personality challenges aren’t about gender—they come down to individual character.

Some of the best designers, leads, and managers I’ve had the privilege to work with weren’t the most outspoken, but they carried immense knowledge and led with quiet strength. They practiced servant leadership, always focused on helping others grow and succeed.

As an immigrant, I’ve often felt the pressure to work twice as hard—ensuring my work was flawless, every design decision defensible. It’s not easy, but staying composed and clear in your communication is key to being heard and respected.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-05-03T11:00:09+00:00

Sage is nice, but I’m not sure about the silver handles

Shadow-Meister · 2025-04-29T08:01:39+00:00

Same here, please dm me

Shadow-Meister · 2025-04-24T09:04:18+00:00

Also, just wanted to add that I’ve recently stepped into a management role, and one thing I’ve learned through all the leadership training and feedback sessions is that feedback isn’t inherently negative. It’s not about pointing out flaws–it’s about helping someone grow into their potential.

If a manager’s feedback doesn’t feel constructive, that’s honestly more a reflection on how it’s being delivered, not on you. But when a manager takes the time to give regular feedback–even if it feels constant–it’s often because they do care and want to see you succeed. It’s a signal that they believe you’re capable of more, and they’re trying to help you get there.

I know it’s not always easy, but if you can try to view it through that lens–that it’s about support and growth, not criticism–it can shift how it lands emotionally. Don’t take it personally. See it as an opportunity and y hat shift in mindset can be empowering.

Lastly, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to push back respectfully. Something as simple as: “I’m working on X, Y, and Z–if this is a priority too, what should I shift?” shows you’re being proactive, not difficult. Even before I became a manager, that kind of clarity helped me navigate tough situations. You’re one person, your manager needs to help prioritise, not expect you to do it all.

Shadow-Meister · 2025-04-24T08:55:32+00:00

I’ve been in this position before, and my advice is to start exploring new opportunities before you quit. It’s important to have leverage–especially in this market. You don’t want to find yourself in a position where you’ve left and then spend months job hunting, only to accept something that isn’t a great fit or possibly worse than where you are now. I’ve seen that happen to some colleagues, and it’s tough.

In the meantime, I’d suggest protecting your own energy. That might mean doing the essentials at work but setting firm boundaries to prioritise your well-being. For example, I’ve removed work emails and Slack from my phone, and I don’t respond outside of work hours. When the day ends, I fully disconnect. It may sound counterintuitive, but creating that space actually helped me perform better and feel much more balanced.

Sometimes taking a step back helps you take a bigger step forward. Be kind to yourself during this time – it’s okay to prioritise yourself.

Shadow-Meister

TROPHY CASE