To be honest, the last three years haven't been a breeze for me and my career. Graduating in 2020 was a total curveball, and I know I'm not the only one who feels that way about that wild year. But ya know what? Looking back, it turned out to be a silver lining because that's when I discovered my passion for start-ups. There's something about them that's just so darn thrilling and innovative, and sometimes they can even be revolutionary to an industry. Of course, there's also a downside to them. They can be pretty demanding, unpredictable, and unstable.

Despite the challenges that come with working for start-ups, something about them just speaks to me. And over the past three years, I've come to realize that more than ever. 3 start-ups(some side-hustles) in 3 years have given me the tools and skills necessary to succeed in the fast-paced and dynamic environment of a start-up. In my experience, having strong UX/UI skills is essential in a start-up as it can make a significant impact on the success of the product or service. Here are some of the top UX/UI skills that I believe are crucial for working in a start-up or fast-paced environment:

User research and analysis: Understanding the user's needs, preferences, and behaviors is critical in creating a successful product or service. Conducting user research and analyzing the data can provide valuable insights for creating an effective user experience.

Wireframing and prototyping: Developing wireframes and prototypes can help visualize the design concepts and test the usability of the product. It can also provide a framework for collaboration between designers, developers, and stakeholders.

Visual design and branding: Creating a visually appealing and cohesive brand identity is essential in attracting and retaining customers. Designing a consistent visual language across all touchpoints can help establish trust and credibility with users.

Front-end development: Having a basic understanding of front-end development can help designers communicate effectively with developers and ensure that the designs are technically feasible and implemented correctly.

Agile methodology: Understanding and working with Agile methodology can help designers adapt to the fast-paced and iterative nature of start-ups. Being able to prioritize and adjust the design based on user feedback and business objectives can help create a successful product.

• Have a solid foundation of UX/UI skills

• A knowledge across many industries

• To be happy in both my career and life

• Mentor others in the start-up space

All UX designers will say the same thing: Not all projects should be approached the same. However, you should have strong problem-solving skills to get started. Here are mine:

• Define the problem/scope

• Ideate Solutions

• Test & Iterate

• Refine the Design

• Repeat!

I love true crime so here is my favorite analogy when uxers try and solve a problem: UX designers are like detectives trying to solve a mystery. Just as a detective uses clues to piece together a story, UX designers use research and data to understand the problem they're trying to solve. They ask questions, observe behavior, and gather evidence to build a case for users' needs and wants. Then, they use their creativity and problem-solving skills to design a solution that meets those needs. Finally, like a detective closing a case, UX designers launch their solution and monitor its performance, making adjustments as needed to ensure a satisfying user experience.