2017 was a year of reevaluating my career path and ultimately finding a fulfilling role. Recognizing the limitations of freelancing in terms of industry knowledge, I sought to gain valuable agency experience through a UX designer contract at CookiesHQ.
A Stepping Stone: UX Design at CookiesHQ
This initial contract reignited my passion for UX design and provided the impetus to pursue a more permanent position in London.
London Calling: A Misguided Adventure
Fueled by ambition, I relocated to London and secured a “Creative Producer” position in Shoreditch. However, the role and project misaligned with my skillset and career aspirations. While the agency’s overall work impressed me, the specific project lacked the creative spark I craved. This experience underscored the importance of aligning myself with the right company culture and project focus.
Back to Bristol: Finding My Design Home
Following the completion of the London contract, I returned to Bristol and secured a UX Designer position at CookiesHQ, conveniently located near my residence. The past five months have been incredibly rewarding. I’m surrounded by exciting digital products, and every day brings new learning opportunities. This experience has solidified my desire to transition into product design.
Product Design: A Path Forward
While I enjoy designing marketing websites and assets, a particular spark ignites when I’m tasked with product design challenges. This newfound passion has me envisioning a career trajectory that progresses from UX Designer to Product Designer, ultimately culminating in a Director of Product role. There will undoubtedly be title variations along the way, but the core objective remains the same: leadership within the product design domain.
A Year of Growth and Self-Discovery
2017 was a whirlwind, but a necessary one. Through trial and error, I gained valuable industry experience and discovered a clear career path. While I initially planned to discuss the impact of another year listening exclusively to Kanye West, I believe this warrants a separate post titled “Year of Yeezy: The Lessons Learned.” Stay tuned for a deeper dive into that experience!
