Coming in, I had a good foundation things I’d studied, practiced, and built in past roles. But seeing how that knowledge actually plays out in a real team, with real users and tight deadlines, is a different experience. One of the biggest things that stood out to me is how often we revisit the basics: visual hierarchy, accessibility, even good form structure. The difference now is that I’m applying them while keeping dev constraints and product goals in mind. Suddenly, decisions that seemed clear-cut in theory aren’t so black and white.

I used to think the hardest part of this job was the design itself. It turns out, communicating your design decisions clearly, managing time across multiple projects, and explaining things without overwhelming stakeholders that’s where the real challenge is. It’s also about gently pushing back on requests that don’t align with user needs and finding alternatives that make both the business and users happy.

Let’s talk about the not-so-polished moments. Early on, I hesitated to ask questions or reach out for help. I’d sit with something too long, worried I’d look like I didn’t know what I was doing. But that only led to more confusion and wasted time. Once I started being more open, things got better. It wasn’t just about unblocking myself it built trust, and it helped me learn faster.

Another thing that surprised me was how much attention to detail really matters. At first, it stung when someone pointed out little inconsistencies or missed alignments. But I started slowing down, double-checking things, and building small habits to keep myself in check. And I noticed a shift. Reviews went smoother. My team started relying on me more. It validated that I was growing not just in skill, but in how I showed up. That felt really good.

And I think that’s been the most important part for me. Yes, I want to do good work. But I also want to feel proud of the work I’m doing. I want to look at a screen I designed and think, “Yeah, that feels like me.”

There’s still a lot I’m figuring out. Some days I feel confident. Other days, not so much. But I’ve learned that those uncertain moments usually mean I’m learning something new and that’s a pretty good place to be.

If there’s one thing I’m taking with me, it’s that growth in UX (and honestly, in any creative or tech role) isn’t just about leveling up your skills. It’s about learning how to be part of a team, how to communicate better, and how to stay curious even when things feel overwhelming. So yeah. I’ve learned a lot and I know there’s a lot more ahead.