Takeaways
Believe in My Skillset
One challenge I faced during this working period was a change in working dynamic due to the senior designer moving on from the company. This occurred early in my placement and I was left to fill in her shoes while still being a relatively new member to the team. Initially, I was very intimiadated as I felt a bit of pressure with what was expected out of me. However, I used this as an opportunity to practice leadership skills and trusting in myself and my design process. As time progressed, I felt more confident when talking upon my designs and having discussions regarding my decisions with the team.
Design Mobile-First
Coming into the company, I understood that it is important to design for all screen sizes in order to make the product accessible to more people. However, prior to this position, I hadn't had the opportunity to work on a single project that spanned across several device sizes. I had experience in both web and mobile design, but would not create both mockups for one project. While working at Ensightful, I was able to practice imaging designs at different scales to ensure the experience of engaging with the platform was consistent across devices.
An example of a section on our platform in which I designed with consideration of the mobile viewport.
It's Alright to Ask for Help
Coming into anywork field can be intimidating especially when I experienced what is commonly known as "Impostor Syndrome", or not thinking I am capable of meeting the expectations of the job. However, working as an intern is the perfect opportunity to ask questions and learn. Being comfortable with reaching out for assistance allowed for me to focus more on my work and complete tasks feeling more supported. Employers don't expect you to be perfect, they expect you to try your best and learn along the way.
Test Early
User testing designs early in the process will allow for quick iterations on designs. This will avoid problems from potentially occurring in the future and also surface newer insights on the users based on their interactions with the proposed designs. In addition to testing, getting other perspectives of designs in general can be beneficial to see the designs created from a different point of view. This is especially important because things may not always be as clear as imagined.
