Engineering To Design

As a mechanical engineer, my work became a predictable routine over the years, and I felt my creativity bank running dry. Each project and meeting felt like a repetition of the last; it felt like I was in a loop. I wanted a fresh perspective, and then I remembered how I leisurely designed graphics in school. I picked it up, researched it, and found a field where my creativity would thrive better - UX design. When I first considered shifting from mechanical engineering to UX design, I was struck by the similarities between the two fields. Both disciplines revolve around solving complex problems and creating user-friendly solutions.

Here, I will walk you through my journey and how I successfully moved from the engineering field to the design space.

Why Move To UX Design?

Many people consider engineering a reputable profession. Mechanical engineers, electrical and electronics engineers, systems engineers, etc., are all regarded as good problem solvers who get paid pretty well to do their jobs. While this may be the case, people may have different reasons for wanting to move to another field. Some reasons may include:

• Creative Freedom: UX design offers opportunities for creative expression and innovation that may be lacking in traditional (mechanical) engineering roles. Designing user interfaces and experiences allows individuals to explore novel solutions and design aesthetics rather than being streamlined to technical support.
• Career Growth and Opportunities: The field of UX design is rapidly growing, with increasing demand for skilled professionals. Transitioning to UX design can provide opportunities for career advancement, diversification, and the chance to work in dynamic and innovative industries such as technology, finance, e-commerce, and digital media.
• Direct Impact on Users: Building intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly products and experiences is the core of UX design, which has its roots in human-centered design practices. Switching to UX design enables people to use their problem-solving abilities to tackle user demands and difficulties directly and see results glaringly.
• Flexibility and Work-life Balance: Besides working as a software engineer, few engineering roles allow flexibility in hybrid or remote work. A lot of engineers are required on-site, and absence may affect productivity. On the other hand, UX design hardly requires a physical presence for productivity. Some people prefer the latter because it is more flexible.

5 Steps To Effectively Transition To UX Design

For someone who transitioned from mechanical engineering to UX design, here are five steps that helped me:

1. Desire and Acquire Foundational Knowledge: As someone who’s ventured into UX design, I started with the elementary parts of graphic design. While at the university, I had a keen interest in design, and I decided to get general foundational knowledge in design. Reading books, blog posts, and watching tutorial videos all played a massive role in getting a solid foundation in design. To effectively move to design, you must understand what it entails and what makes a good design and designer.
2. Learn and Get Relevant Skills: After getting solid foundational knowledge, I started learning actively (and passively). Learning actively involves subscribing to design courses with a clear learning path while constantly practicing. I kept working on concept projects. Learning passively may include observing various designs in different contexts without engaging in analysis. It can also include keeping up with the latest trends or even relating little things in your surroundings to design when conversing.
3. Create Good Relationships With Fellow Designers: Good relationships with fellow designers foster mentorship, learning opportunities, and a supportive professional network. I collaborated on projects and gained hands-on experience while engaging with peers. This provided industry insights and career opportunities for me.
4. Create a Solid Portfolio: Next, I created a good portfolio. Like many professions, a portfolio is crucial as it showcases skills and experience to potential employers and partners. I uploaded as many relevant case studies as possible to my portfolio during my transition and implore you to do the same. There are several platforms you can use for your UX design portfolio. We have Behance, Adobe Portfolio, Dribble, and many others.
5. Start and Keep Applying for Jobs: I started applying to UX design roles as soon as I had a solid portfolio. I applied to as many jobs as possible, even though some seemed out of my reach. You should not short-change yourself. You never know what employer might be impressed with your background. Bear in mind landing your first role is the hardest. So, as much as you work on your portfolio, put a lot into your cover letters and initial interviews.

With some time and the steps above, you will land your first UX design role. Don’t give up. Cheers.