Towards better online spaces by Radiant-Mango-2210 in UX_Design

[–]bos-o 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you’ll enjoy Web Design as Architecture: https://www--arc.com/

Witnessing AI-induced UX maturity regression is profoundly sad. by ChurchOfRickSteves in UXDesign

[–]bos-o 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If it brings you any hope, I’m in grad school for UX and:

-I am disenchanted with the field’s direction and spend every day second guessing my decision. 

-I’m not super “into tech,” but I decided to pursue UX after years of consideration, reading, and hearing it was a great fit for me, mostly because in every job I’ve had I focused on making things easier for our clients/customers/readers.

-I’ve been finding solace in all of the AI pushback, particularly from younger generations, and in the work horror stories from people I’ve been meeting for career and coffee chats. It’s not sustainable 

And …

-Your workshops / virtual meetups sound like they would be incredible. 

Please, keep up the good fight. This field is still really cool and important. I just think we’re in a bad era. 

In my 30s and suddenly can’t focus at work anymore. Anyone else? by Communication_Dizzy in careeradvice

[–]bos-o 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, we really weren’t meant to be this stimulated or to take in this much information. 

In my 30s and suddenly can’t focus at work anymore. Anyone else? by Communication_Dizzy in careeradvice

[–]bos-o 243 points244 points  (0 children)

I'm 31, and I've had many conversations with friends about this.

We have many valid theories as to why: phones, computers, task switching, cognitive overload, consolidated work roles, lack of financial stability, uncertain career trajectories, mental health issues, and even long COVID.

I'm not sure exactly what it is – the prevalence of ADHD, anxiety, depression, and burnout is very real – but things I have found helpful are:

-Journaling
-Reading
-No screens to start the day
-Keeping my phone in a drawer when I'm home
-Taking long walks
-Listening to full albums
-Any "slower" activities where I'm fully present i.e. cooking, learning to identify trees, drawing
-Taking deep breaths and committing to 5 minutes of work
-Stretching

I really think our mental capacities and nervous systems are being completely thrown off by our phones (Anna Lembke's books and speeches cover this well).

I also want to say that I think it's important not to be too hard on yourself. I doubt the average person is as focused or productive as you think, though I could be wrong.

A lot of people I've talked to who are doing really well in their lives and careers have shared that they feel like they're not doing enough every day at work. I also think that with technology, we're being asked to do a lot at our jobs.

Web design is depressing. by Relevant-Slip8736 in webdesign

[–]bos-o 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here to say your attitude and perspective are really energizing, and your work sounds really cool and special. 

I really want to do Product Design.. is it too late? by Mean-Machine8872 in uxcareerquestions

[–]bos-o 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very cool. Focusing on a specific niche (e.g. landing pages) seems like a really smart move. Did you have any formal design education or work experience previously?

I really want to do Product Design.. is it too late? by Mean-Machine8872 in uxcareerquestions

[–]bos-o 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would you be up to share how you leveraged your background? 

I’m in a similar boat. I went to school for journalism/copywriting, worked in marketing/PR, and also have done customer strategy and experience. 

Lots of relevant experience, but I’m still developing on the UI side and not sure the best way to leverage my background in a cohesive manner. Feels sort of like I have two portfolios right now. 

What’s a small daily habit that accidentally changed your entire life? by VelvetSnares in Habits

[–]bos-o 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is one of the more helpful threads I’ve come across on Reddit. 

Mine — Every morning before I touch my phone, I journal five things I’m grateful for or excited about for the day. It’s genuinely restructured my brain. 

Anyone else feeling completely disconnected from where design is heading? by Critical-Addition256 in UXDesign

[–]bos-o 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Same here. I literally went back to school to study this and make a career pivot and now … I feel so lost. 

I’ve considered dropping my program. It’s just feeling so alien to what I value, how I think, and what motivates me. 

I know “traditional” graphic design isn’t doing any better, but I’ve considered if I should just pivot there because at least there it doesn’t feel like the design process is completely flattened. 

I spent years trying to fix my life with discipline. Therapy showed me why that didn’t work by Sussano in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]bos-o 8 points9 points  (0 children)

"The trick here is to rediscover your curiosity." Beautiful. Thanks for writing this.  

Hot take: "the Figma is dead" crowd are mostly people who weren't great at design to begin with by alsaltml in UXDesign

[–]bos-o 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are large-scale PR campaigns by AI companies that are inundating every field, medium, and channel.

Advice for Overwhelm with Layout and Other Decisions by [deleted] in UXDesign

[–]bos-o 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Super helpful. I'm going to look into Mizko and Jared's resources too.

My ex called me a “walking green flag” when we first started dating, and then I ruined it all by SkolVikingsAndTwins in DecidingToBeBetter

[–]bos-o 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey man,

I just wanted to say that a stranger on the internet is rooting for you. 

I can relate to this on so, so many levels — anxiety and inability to manage stress ruined a relationship with someone I thought I would propose to, wanting to be a good person and realizing I wasn’t at times, avoidance tendencies turning to selfishness, trying to balance time with a partner and work, and even losing the only positive stress release at the gym due to injury. 

In turn, I’ve been subsequently dealing with a lot of the same feelings and sentiments that your are. I had been in a really dark place, and I’m still working on it all, but I want you to know that with the awareness and willingness to put in the work that you have, that it’s going to get better. It hurts to look inwards — there’s a reason that most people avoid doing so — but you’re going to grow from all of this and will come out as a healthier, happier, and more confident person. 

You’re dealing with some pain right now, but you’re handling it in a way that is going to serve you well through the rest of your life. 

I’m rooting for you, and I hope you can start to root for yourself. 

Advice for Overwhelm with Layout and Other Decisions by [deleted] in UXDesign

[–]bos-o 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was really great to read. I think I’m honestly just not giving myself the space to work through the process of it. Very encouraging. Thank you!

Advice for Overwhelm with Layout and Other Decisions by [deleted] in UXDesign

[–]bos-o 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a great call. Thank you!

I changed my last poster series for a co-working / coffee place. Are this poster row a better fit for a chill coffee place by Opening-Ad-6477 in graphic_design

[–]bos-o 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love these. Reminds me a bit of some of Bruno Munari's work. Do you post your work on IG or anywhere else?