Today’s article will be more like a post. Even though it could look like a blog, I feel that I need to use my thirtieth post to talk about networking. Along this first month I’ve been trying to bring some concepts, tips, book reviews, thoughts, sources and any discoveries that I had made about this amazing field called UX, but today it will be a little bit different, as it was my first time in a workshop promoted by a Meet Up group. Today I will talk about the workshop itself, and about networking.
UX beginners usually face two big challenges: learn fast and improve their networking within the UX community. The first one requires a lot of commitment, study, focus and a self-effort. It is usually more related to the way the professional handle his routine of studying and working, than anything else. But the second one, networking, is different. Networking is harder. A lot of barriers can make it difficult for people to talk and share their experiences with other people, and this is why these meet ups are so important, even more for beginners.
SDXD stands for San Diego Experience Design. This is a meet up group established in San Diego in 2012 that works to enrich the San Diego experience design community. At this last event of the year, called Autonomous Locomotion UX-athon, 80 attendees reserved their places to work in a workshop and practice some steps of the design process through a brainstorming and a storytelling sessions. The main goal of the evening was to solve some transportation problems.
How the event worked:
- Participants got there by 6pm
- During about one hour we were invited to have some pizza and some beverages including soft drinks, wine and beer
- This first part was intent to be the networking part, where most of the participants were talking to each other, sharing ideas, and discovering about the hosting company
- By 7pm Mr. Konrad, from Konrad + King, the company that was hosting the event, explained about one of their projects, quickly going through the design — problem-solving — process and explaining the results
- After that, Mr. Paul Hong, SDXD’s president promoted a space for announcements, where job seekers and job hunters could share opportunities, and then explained how the workshop would work.
How the workshop was held:
- The attendees joined into previously separated groups
- Each group received two cards, one with the group of users (who they were going to design for), and the second with the transit mode (a requisite and a constrain)
Then, the following activities were performed by the groups:
- Determine goals + needs
- Choose one goal + one need
- Design & storyboard solution for goal + need
- Develop a pitch
- Share out with other groups
This is how the whole activity was organized, and as I assume, the main objective was not to teach anything, but to provide a space where professionals could interact, share experiences and practice.
My thoughts about everything
As it’s so hard to get a job and to get started in UX, these kind of meetings are a very good opportunity for designers to improve their skills by talking and observing other professionals. They are all mixed, and usually don’t have any kind of distinction, being accessible, and even working together. Usually in big cities, and sometimes even some small ones, have UX meet ups, it’s easy to find, just looking for it at websites like meetup.com, UXPA, IXDA, and the IA Institute. Sometimes you have to pay, but in the case of SDXD the event was free.
Besides networking, job opportunities, practical activities, or just hanging out, these kind of events can also bring some very good surprises, as you can meet potential mentors, advisors, or friends that can help you during all your career long. Some meet ups also gives you the chance to compete in challenges that can give you the opportunity to stand out and show your great job for the whole UX community. They help on keeping you up-to-date to what is going on in the area, locally and also around the world.
So, more than anything, Meet Ups are the best way for UX beginners to start chasing your success. My experience was great, and I intend to keep going to these kind of events. Meet people is, more than anything, one asset that you get as a professional. Know and to be known, more than necessary, is mandatory for success.
Photos from the event
SDXD Meet Up — DAY 30 was originally published in SDXD on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.