My Biggest UX Career Mistakes and Lessons Learned

There's a question that continues to disturb me: what's the "greatest" career mistake I made, and how hard did it affect my growth as a designer?

This question made me review my past experience, searching for tips that would help to avoid those mistakes in the future. Fortunately, I'm not the only one. The majority of UX designers shared their own experiences, uncovering the same pitfalls that all of us met.

So, what are they? What are these major career mistakes that UX designers can make?

Let’s take a closer look on them 👇

Mistake 1: Neglecting Users’ Feedback

At the beginning of my career, I put aesthetics above usability.

I thought that good design would automatically lead to successful user experience.
It wasn’t true.

One of the projects that comes to my mind - a redesign of a mobile app for an important client. I took into account the stakeholder’s requirements and skipped usability testing to meet the tight deadlines.

And as a result - the app was visually attractive but user-confusing.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Always protect the interests of users.
• Prioritize users’ needs.
• Conduct usability testing at an early stage of your work.
• Don't be afraid to dispute stakeholders' opinions if they conflict with users’ needs.

Mistake 2: Not Documenting Your Work

In the past, I didn’t document my working process as a UX designer.
I mistakenly guessed my work was the company's property.

But when I started looking for a new job, I understood that I had nothing to show. I tried my best to create case studies and had to rely on my memory to recall my works.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Document your case studies from the beginning of a project.
• Collect every evidence of your work (documents, sketches, mockups).
• Use apps like Notion to document your process and improve it as you go along.

Mistake 3: Caring Too Much

I used to care about a company's success more than the executives who hired me.

In total, I spent almost six months explaining one design process to them, but they didn't pay any attention. They just wanted to look smart in front of each other and debate over something  unnecessary.

Realized that I cared too much in order to explain to people that didn't even listen to me.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Prioritize your own needs and well-being.
• Say no to requests that conflict with your values or goals.
• Set clear boundaries and pay attention to mental health.

Mistake 4: “The Startup Trap”

I once worked for a startup that promised me “the world”.

They assured me that I would be the part of a "rocket ship" that would take off and make me wealthy. But everything resulted in too many tasks out of the scope of my role.

I was just free fuel for burning.

By the way, the company didn't even look nice on my CV.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Being realistic about any startup's risks.
• Choose the companies that prioritize UX design and provide necessary support for UX designers.
• Be sure you're getting paid as required and not just relying on fairness.

Mistake 5: Solutioning Without Research

UX designers are problem-solvers.

Sometimes we can get too caught up in solving a problem without pre-figuring out the context. This may lead to solutions that don't meet the user's needs or are not practicable at all.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Always perform research before starting a new project.
• Don't be afraid to question and challenge assumptions.
• Prioritize the researching part of your work-process.

Mistake 6: Not Changing When Possible

Staying at the same job for too long can be a mistake.

You may find out that the market pay is way more than what you're being paid, or that you're no longer improving your skills.

For the previous company I had been working for seven years, and the last three years were just coasting and maintaining the status quo.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Regularly value your job and career goals.
• Don’t be afraid to move on in your career.
• Don't stay in a job that's not suitable for you.

Mistake 7: Neglecting Networking

And the last one - I neglected networking.

I was so focused on my work that I ignored the importance of building and maintaining relationships with colleagues and peers.

Thankfully, I learned that networking is essential to my career as a UX designer. It may provide a significant support system and lead to new opportunities.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Make time and effort for networking.
• Try to attend work events and conferences.
• Use social media to connect with other design fellas, developers and founders.

Conclusion and Final Advices

Growth and learning are lifelong processes and making mistakes is a part of them.

Mistakes are opportunities for growth as a professional.
Don’t be afraid to make them.
Be afraid not to draw conclusions after. 

Final advices:

• Always prioritize the user and advocate for their needs and expectations.
• Continuously learn and grow, and seek out new challenges and opportunities.
• Build relationships with colleagues, peers, and mentors, and don't be afraid to ask for help or advice.
• Stay adaptable and open-minded, and be willing to pivot when necessary.
• Keep in mind your own well-being and goals, and don't be afraid to walk away from a situation that's not serving you.