01/07/2025
What prepared me for the Product Design role I love today?
I envisioned working as a product designer while I was still a UI/UX designer.
đ I started by researching the difference between the two roles and identifying the skills Iâd need to grow.
Even though I thought Product Design would come later in my career â it happened sooner.
And somehowâĻ I was ready.
Hereâs what actually helped me:
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Research Mindset
Back when I worked as a Research & Investment Analyst, I learned something important:
đ§ Everything is out there â scattered, yes, but findable.
Now, I often begin with just a vision â no clear path, no obvious answers.
So I research like crazy:
âĸ Competitor products
âĸ Adjacent industries
âĸ OrâĻ build from scratch
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Ask the Right Questions
Not just design questions. But bigger ones:
âĸ How does this feature work, end-to-end?
âĸ What happens before and after this screen?
âĸ Who uses it â and who supports it behind the scenes?
đđģââī¸ Whether solo or in a team â your questions shape your solutions.
Better questions = better, faster decisions.
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Solo vs Team Design
Iâve done both:
âĸ Freelanced as a one-person design team for a Malaysia-based startup đŠđģâđģ
âĸ Collaborated with a global team across 34+ countries đ
These experiences taught me:
âĸ How to take ownership and talk to stakeholders
âĸ How to communicate across cultures
âĸ How to figure things out â when youâre the only designer people count on
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Follow Your Curiosity
People say: âJust learn what you need for now.â
But I believe: Learn what excites you.
đģ I explore JavaScript â not to code full-time, but because itâs fun and useful.
It might not always feel immediately relevant â but it adds to my toolkit.
And that makes me a better designer.
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Obsession with Learning
You have to genuinely enjoy learning.
đ Books, tutorials, courses â because they fuel you.
Doing the bare minimum wonât make you stand out.
Start slow â but keep building.
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Done Is Better Than Perfect
When I finished my first UX portfolio, I didnât send it to 50 people for feedback.
I knew it wasnât perfect â but it was mine, and it was enough to start applying.
đĄ If youâre doing the work, youâll know when youâre ready to move.
â
Envision â Act
Design is less about visuals â and more about:
âĸ Making decisions
âĸ Defining problems
âĸ Offering clear, thoughtful solutions
âĸ And believing in yourself
đ When I graduated from University, I wanted to be a designer.
I didnât know how â there was no guidance.
I ended up somewhere else.
But years later â I made it here.
One step at a time. One decision at a time.
đ¯ If you're dreaming of something â start learning, start building, and trust yourself.
đŦ If this resonates with you â letâs connect.
