Tony Moura’s Post

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Tony Moura Tony Moura is an Influencer

IBM Federal Garage Lead / Sr. UX Architect, Designer, Speaker, Mentor, Coach

UX Designers, It's really exciting to see so many people jumping into UX. I've managed the User Experience group here on LI since 2008 and have seen it continue to grow, to the point of me adding 200-400 people a day and still can't catch up. That's both good and bad. Here's why. It's a good thing because for all of us that have been in UX for decades. We would like to think that all of the education to companies, C-level executives, engineering and others on what UX can actually do, not just for the users but actually the company, just might be sinking in. It's a bad thing because it also dilutes UX a little. This boom is seen by us Sr. UX'rs but also others. These come in the form of bootcamps, quick do this and now "You know UX" and more. This could go much longer, but I won't. You don't need that. You need to know how to set yourself apart from the crowd, right? If I can, here's some advice from my standpoint. It's served me well to this point and continues to do so. Learn to sell. From what I've seen. This is very rarely taught. You've come up with the best concept/solution for whatever. If you can't pitch it and get others to be just as excited as you on what it will do for the users, the business etc. It doesn't matter how well you know Figma, or how much user research you've done etc. It won't see the light of day. Now, learn to sell yourself first. A client, stakeholder whoever has to believe in YOU. For some who are introverts this can be difficult, I understand, I've seen it. Be confident on a virtual call or when you walk into a room. Always back up your design with data. It's easy to push-back on "your" design direction. It's much more difficult to push-back and/or argue on your design direction that was informed by some user research. When you do it right. You can almost see the lightbulb turn on over peoples heads. Remember, there's a difference between being confident and being cocky. Cross it and you'll hear about it later. As a Jr. listen to a Sr. and how they sell and/or pitch it. Be a dry sponge and soak it up. Also, learn to read body language or listen really closely on calls. Did you say something and that person shifted? Moved their hand? Turned their head? On a virtual call. Did you hear them take a big breath when you said something. Read the audience based on what you're saying and be able to pivot on the next sentence if needed. Oh! While on that. Please, please watch how often you say Uh, Um. That's anyone not really knowing and/or being comfortable with what they're talking about and their brain is hunting for the next sentence to pull out of thin air. Once you notice it. It becomes really annoying. Again, be confident in yourself and what you're presenting. If you know it really well. It should just flow. Have a great day, be passionate about UX. #userexperience #design #ux #uxdesigners #designers

Fredrick Royster

Art Education Masters Student 👨🏾🎓* UX/Web Designer 🖥️ * ADHD Advocate 🧠

2y

I've been around the block a few times, graduated design school in 1999 and have been a web designer ever since This is very similar to the late 90s when anyone who could pick up HTML and owned a cracked version of Photoshop was calling themselves a web designer But I do think "the cream rises to the top" and the best folks will stand out, but it takes more effort now to find these talented people

Michal Rockman-Pollard

User experience researcher and evaluation for non-profits

2y

Thanks for your great advice Tony Moura loved it all !! Till the end bit.. the uh, um bit. I’m just starting my journey and I can imagine I use uh and um a lot! But I try to be compassionate with myself because I don’t want to feel too self conscious

Randy Bapst

Helping Senior Citizens with Tech through UX Research and Personal Support

2y

Good point, but I always think how someone might interpret something like "Learn to sell". I might add something like "Learn when to ask questions when to compromise, and when to sell." The reason I say this is because it depends where you are in the project and context.

This is amazing advice, Tony! Thanks for putting it out there. I'm about to finish a bootcamp in UX, and I found that even for me, being a college-graduate graphic designer, and having almost 10 years of experience working in different industries, freelancing, in-house, you name it, it wasn't enough. I cannot call myself a UX designer for taking a 6 months bootcamp! Even sometimes I still have the impostor syndrome. Can I call myself a web designer if I don't really code? Ours is an ever evolving profession, and you can never "graduate" on anything. To finalize, I also realized that a lot of people are getting into this field because is the next "get a job quick" thing. I think is GREAT for someone for whatever reasons they have to choose a new path in their professional development, but bootcamps should be held accountable and not make people feel they can get a job as soon as they finish the program.

Linda L Francis

Consultant | Founder 360c

2y

Hear, hear....and there is also the aspect of great UX people that cannot be taught, that is innate. There is a level of expertise that comes from within, combined with values of empathy and courtesy and the exposure to so many experiences over time that also needs to be appreciated and understood and valued. I often remind people that much of good UX is found in designing out bad experiences...how do you put that on a portfolio? Yet, the bad experiences people have daily in our world, with failed form design, data validation errors etc...are prevalent, despite the "high" expectations for hiring top UX people.

Izhar Buendia

Design @ StubHub / Previously Netflix, OpenTable, GE

2y

Never really liked the title “jr.” I think ideas come from anyone regardless of years of experience. Now if we are talking about implementing ideas in a complex environment, someone with more expeirence might be better suited for the job. But this is based on experience a person has with the specific situation. Even someone who has lots of years of experience might not know what to do in a space they are not familiar with. I think it’s about having a teachable approach regardless of how many years of experience you have.

Sara Peck

Digital Marketing | Web Marketing | SEO | SEM | CRO | UX | ABM | B2B | SaaS | Former Demandbase

2y

I love this post. It brings up a really important question - why are so many people getting into UX? I can't speak for everyone, but I can speak to how I found myself getting more interested over time. I have a creative background in photography. When I started working in the marketing field my visual sensibilities led me down the road of graphic design. In marketing you learn really fast that they want you to wear MANY hats: copywriter, graphic designer, data analyst, social media specialist, automation specialist, program/project manager, and the list goes on. The more you know the better. Using data to make good business decisions is how I've been able to advance my career. Right now CRO (click rate optimization) is hot in our industry - or, data used to advance the customer journey and ultimately website conversion. At the same time, digital marketers are more in touch with the development of their sites than ever before in order to increase Google rankings when it comes to areas of technical SEO. I would NEVER call myself a UX designer, but I can't deny that skills in UX are extremely important in my current career trajectory as a digital web marketer in a growing SaaS economy.

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Nico L.

NN/g UX Master Certified | Lead/Staff UXUI Product Designer, Innovation and Design at Zebra Technologies

2y

"Always back up your design with data" is essential. I would say the ability to articulate what is in your mind and defend your point of view is predicated on the mastery of knowledge. Such capability comes with experience and practice in the field. Of course, having your argument based on evidence would put you in a much stronger position to start with. I agree with "learn to sell" but I would also push it further: learn to persuade and learn to nudge.

Elizabeth Rodwell, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Digital Media / Senior UX Researcher & Anthropologist / Founding Director of the University of Houston UX Lab

2y

I think about these things a lot, as a Senior/Lead UX professional who specifically returned to academia to try to build a good program in UX within a university setting, and how to send qualified students out in the field who can confidently recommend for the roles I hear about.

Akash Solanki

Senior Product Designer @Observe.AI | UX | Designing for AI | Hosting Design Masters Community (3k+) | Linkedin CAP'22 Alumni 🙋♂️

2y

Tony Sir, being confident is the key to selling your skills and capabilities when interviewing or pitching clients. Selling your work or services can be difficult if we don’t know how to sell them. Your tips will help cut down on the anxiety and focus on what we can offer our clients. That would lead to more sales and happier customers too. This post is perfect for those who want to learn about UX and those who want to be involved in it.

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