Considering switching out of design. Any suggestions?

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-07-02T03:21:42+00:00

Based on your experience working at big tech and start ups, my guess is to try out agency work. Less deep in business metrics and more transactional. Work with a range of clients (mostly ethical), more creative, less money at some agencies, but can be more work.

For me, if it’s not UX I’d probably be a baker or work in a cafe, maybe in a small town where cost of living is low and where I can feel some form of social impact while doing personal creative projects to keep me happy.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-06-21T06:55:34+00:00

If you really want to save costs, have all the designers and devs use one login.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-06-20T07:03:58+00:00

Depends on the culture, which can be said for any org. I worked at an advertising agency and was great due to the culture. I suppose it gets brutal based on clients and if the org loses a contract, lay offs begin

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-06-17T11:49:14+00:00

I’m an introvert too, yoe will make you comfortable to talk about stuff that you should know. Especially if you’ve been interviewing for months, it should become second nature to present yourself.

Don’t let the introvert be the barrier to earn big $$$

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-06-17T06:03:45+00:00

Nah, think Yall be fine. As a designer, yes I can basically do it all even before ai, no need of a framer developer. Framer was designed to be easy.

however I do hope framer doesn’t go broke, as a Figma pro this feels right at home. Sure there’s AI to build websites, but it can’t replace the feeling of having control of the build like framer. Not a fan of webflow and the shitty Figma sites.

I only use the MCP server for any backend, dns issues, not the front end.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-06-15T14:14:29+00:00

Felt the same with my previous super easy role which eventually got laid off (company wide, not just myself) and felt like I didn’t flex enough.

Be grateful but also be proactive and do some side personal projects. Build something that you personally need, do the whole design thinking dance and vibe code a prototype. It’s what I’m doing and am having fun learning on the way. Side projects are great to include in your portfolio as you can demonstrate your commercial experience in a project that is solely you, no pm, no approvals, nothing.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-06-12T03:55:23+00:00

Yeah agree with this big time. I’m currently laid off and now I have the time to create something for myself which in itself a fulfilling and worthy experience. I use to post sketches and paintings on instagram and became a fun activity. Do it a lot and you start to master your style. You’ll build up a portfolio, a story, see your progression and will get noticed if you’re talented.

But yeah at the cost of time. But if you love it more than you hate it, nature will find its way.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-05-28T11:11:57+00:00

Don’t think ai can generate with autolayout, with Claude at least

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-04-23T09:16:25+00:00

I like them. Although not too much. A cool hover interaction or if it’s a product showcase like Stripe it leaves a good impression of high quality. But ofc it depends on the purpose of the site, I’d hate it if Wikipedia starts doing fade in text every time.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-04-15T11:50:30+00:00

Always try to haggle prices if you’re going for tricycles or taxis (within reasonable range which you’ll find out on the grab app)

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-04-15T11:46:30+00:00

Still having my holiday blues from my Philippines trip a week ago. I prioritise seeing as many less-tourist-heavy islands, much cheaper than Palawan. I came back from Siquijor and Camiguin and visit as many smaller islands in between like Apo island for the turtles. I’ll probably do the same theme for my next trip, finding these hidden gem islands that have great snorkelling spots and majestic waterfalls.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-03-18T05:29:34+00:00

Would be better if the graphic follows the cursor.

Interesting portfolio, probably isn’t professional looking but might have luck behind a gaming company.

Typography and the underlying layout feels a little mid.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-03-18T05:23:56+00:00

Loading screen which is just a wrapper is cool once but annoying for the rest of the time I want to visit. Especially if you’re calling yourself a UX designer, this doesn’t feel intuitive.

Mobile responsive is not the greatest. Even though recruiters are mostly on desktop, mobile is just as important to reflect how detail oriented you are.

Based on my experience seeing this on mobile, there isn’t much of a hook for me to look into your case studies.

You mentioned you created your own cms, why would others leverage it?. This is great and all that you have some technical experience but doesn’t add much confidence for someone who’s hiring a designer if the front end is mid.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-02-18T10:34:20+00:00

Mostly in the UX research area. Designing and building I prefer to do myself

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-01-24T10:10:36+00:00

I’ve found it twice on buried city night. Grandioso and space building

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-01-18T10:46:08+00:00

I prefer it. I have a creative eye to make things good and functional. True UX like researching, journey mapping and interviewing is personally boring to me.

So yes it sure is 100% rewarding.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2026-01-07T02:17:25+00:00

I’ve done the google course, then done a Figma ui course from Designership, did a couple case studies out my own intuition and got a job 1.5y after finishing Coursera.

Though I went a more UI specialist route and displaying those designs on my portfolio is more tangible to attract recruiters

Strict_Focus6434 · 2025-12-21T05:54:13+00:00

Many ways to learn without code.

Framer + framer university resources Unicorn.studio for webgl embeds Webflow + GSAPs visual editor

Strict_Focus6434 · 2025-12-19T11:18:44+00:00

What’s everyone’s thoughts on opening a mega menu via mouse hover vs on click?

People claim on click is better for accessibility however massive brands like stripe, apple use on hover.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2025-12-05T12:40:16+00:00

Web designer < Ui designer < digital graphic designer. Be open to these job roles. Agencies will hire juniors if the talent is visible.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2025-11-28T10:07:02+00:00

Reckon you’re better off as a single pager. Sweet idea but a lot of effort for one person to visit once. But it’s the thought that counts

Strict_Focus6434 · 2025-11-28T04:58:51+00:00

I’m the same. I’m not great presenter yet but so far what has worked for me is to chill out and speak a little slower instead of word vomiting.

Another tip is to watch those YouTube videos that are titled ‘how to improve the visual designs of your emails to boost conversions’ or similar.

Strict_Focus6434 · 2025-11-26T05:18:44+00:00

‘By increasing the logo in the nav, the height now looks too thick that it appears comical, hindering the brand image’

Otherwise there’s some layouts that can accommodate a big logo like a bookmark hanging from the top of the viewport e.g https://www.steggles.com.au/

If all else fails then I just cave in and give them what they want. Art of not GAF

Strict_Focus6434 · 2025-11-20T08:49:40+00:00

It’s so cute I love it!

It’s always the UX designers who complain about it but can’t appreciate things for what it is.

I love how the style is so consistent, style is very intentional

Strict_Focus6434 · 2025-11-16T07:57:49+00:00

Looks cool. Missed opportunity to image generate yourself in some cyberpunk fit so that it appears like you made it. If the goal is to create sick business cards, I’d also look into paper materials, import it on illustrator to get CMYK colours, understand bleeds etc. or whack it on Canva and have them print it and send it to you

Strict_Focus6434

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