12 Forgotten Article Ideas – summed up in one article
I had too many ideas but was too lazy to turn them into full articles. Mostly about design, career and industry.
Even though I haven't written anything in years, I still have plenty of random notes for posts. My interests have changed over time, so I thought it’d be fun to play detective and figure out what on earth I was thinking when I wrote that list. Let’s go!
1/ Things I wish they learn in Design school (that would help you find job/ start freelance (mockups / pics decks / how to value - check the market)
Oh, the time after graduation… I was full of ideas about how I could have spent my study years better and I wanted to share it all online.
What I meant by this post was:
Use mockups in your portfolio to make it look more polished.
Take lots of photos of your progress — how you worked, what your process looked like, etc. It matters, and it's also a great keepsake.
When starting a project, think about the real value you can offer.
Sure, designing a café brand is fun — but how would this business survive in the real world if it looks like every other café?
What can you bring to the table that’s different? That’s what counts in the job market — not just your ability to pick nice colors and fonts.
2/ The simplest way to look for a job – JUST ASK!
If you want to work at a specific company but what’s stopping you is that they haven’t posted any job openings… don’t be ridiculous.
Just write them an email, show that you care, and ask.
Not all job opportunities are publicly listed.
3/ A strategy for looking for a job in one market/field
Sorry guys, I honestly don’t remember what strategy I came up with back then. But surely it was something brilliantly simple.
4/ It’s easy to be a UI/UX Designer – it’s harder to be a Designer (about moving beyond a niche)
Ah, the UI/UX boom. I was one of those lucky girls who jumped on the wagon.
Back then, I thought it would be easier to get a job in UI/UX — and maybe it was at the time — but it’s not really the case anymore.
5/ Why your first graphic design job might be bullshit (In a Good Way)
Haha, I’m not talking about my UI/UX job. I mean my actual first graphic design job — which turned out to be a great lesson. That’s when I learned what I liked and didn’t like.
That’s why, early in your career, you should take every opportunity — even if you’re not ready or super excited. It helps you figure out what you’re good at and what you don’t want to do.
6/ You need to start any design challenge
You work faster, find inspiration quicker, and stop waiting for perfection.
It’s pretty self-explanatory.
7/ Your website is not a business card – it’s more important
I don’t like the analogy of a website being your business card.
I think of it more like a lounge — where someone can ask the receptionist for info, see some diplomas on the wall, and get an overall first impression of the business.
8/ You need to attend conferences/meet-ups
For the networking… and the free food, of course.
But seriously, soft skills are important in every job.
Learn how to talk to people.
9/ The books I regret reading so late in my early-20s
Rich Dad Poor Dad, Grit, The E-myth Revisited — I actually have a whole page of notes about them. Just a good ol’ book recommendation list.
10/ IT designers are a cult – here’s why
Not sure how relevant this still is, but back during the big UI/UX boom, there were tons of events (yes, I went to many), and the whole vibe felt oddly… cult-like. There were way more buzzwords than in the print design world, and people in UI/UX often shared similar clothes, interests, and personality traits.
Just a funny observation I had back then.
11/ Not IT-designers should be paid more
Most people don’t use Saas or fancy interfaces — they live in a reality shaped by poorly designed public signage, clunky city forms, and confusing paper documents.
So why are designers working with Illustrator or InDesign, suffering through those ancient tools, often undervalued? I guess this is because the IT market exploded and is — and still remains — much better funded.
12/ An unusual place to look for inspiration
I should honestly make an article about this.
About smart consuming for inspirations.
Stay tuned :)
Thanks for reading!
– Dorota Ewa
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