Back in the Winter of 2017 I was doing an annual career assessment where I ask: What else could I be doing with my business? How can I improve my skills? Are you good with where you’re currently at?
As a solo-preneur working with developers, writers, and promotion experts, I helped clients build online brands. The promise was regularly delivered. The prize was rewarding but after a while the prize started to feel like a participation trophy. I knew I could be doing more. I was more interested in my client’s work and their customers. I was not good with where I was at.
Then I got a call from a connection saying Gordon Food Service was looking for a UX/UI designer to help them build an e-commerce application. User experience and interface design was my cup of brew. I was paid to do the same for my clients: model an online experience that answers most if not all their questions, interview the stakeholders, customers and package it together in a sharp online presentation meant to sell products and services. Turns out my experience wasn’t a 1:1 fit.
The call back said, we reviewed your portfolio and think you’re a good designer but your user experience skills are under-represented.
For those who know me, I welcome feedback. I listen and walk it back a quiet place. There, like a kid with radio and a screwdriver, I took it apart to discover the why it works or doesn’t work. When it’s put back together, I have a better understanding of my place in the moment. I adapt or strengthen my position.
I responded within the day saying give me until the end of the week. I can put together four narratives with process, planning, analytics & examples showing my work in wireframes, studies and more.
See, I horde documentation as tokens of experience. It’s a habit I developed as an artist. Often the thinking, modeling, and approach is more wondrous than the final product. I believe in showing your work. I just didn’t think anyone else was interested. Turns out they were.
Within the week I returned the call and said I am ready. In my mind, this was a pass or fail test. Either they agreed or I’ve wasted a lot of time. My career choice was in question.
With hard work, determination, and grit, I got the interview where I showcased my experience in process and systems thinking. Within a couple of days, I was meeting other team members, granted a sweet new Apple laptop, and given a seat at a long table of mostly developers. They took a chance on me. I was ready to prove I deserved to be there.