Tag: ADPList

  • Questions from a Graphic Designer

    I’ve received a message in ADPList from a graphic designer who’s interested in UX design, asking curious questions about the field. It’s a good start for anyone exploring to ask many questions!


    Hi I’m a graphic designer who is exploring UX/UI design field. Here are my questions:

    Do UX/UI designers have to learn HTML/CSS to create an app/website?

    Short answer

    No, because you can manage your expertise in the world of UX itself and find partners that will focus on frontend development (HTML/CSS/JS) to create an app/website.

    Long answer

    Creation, design-wise: No, because at this point you’re at the conceptual / mock-up fidelity phase (i.e., design)

    Creation, design-wise: Yes, because knowledge in how to implement your designs will make you a better designer; you will know the limitations and possibilities of the actual website you’re designing; also when prototyping, you can use HTML/CSS/JS

    Creation, technical implementation-wise: No, because there are tools that export directly from design to code; there are also drag and drop website builders like Google Sites (optimization for a performant website, is another topic, though).

    Creation, technical implementation-wise: Yes, because frontend development is close to UX design in terms of process (design then implementation)

    A different answer

    It depends — you can simply wait to discover where the road of exploring UX design will take you. Me, for example, I started with my interest in HTML & CSS that’s why I got into web design, and eventually UX design.

    Does a UX designer design the app/website alone or is it by a team?

    Alone: as mentioned above, you could be a UX designer and a frontend developer rolled into one.

    Team: also, there are projects that can be launched more efficiently and effectively when done by a team (two heads are better than one).

    Is it necessary to make case studies for portfolio or can it just be designs of screens?

    Context is always the key to any portfolio item that you will showcase: what are you trying to say to your audience? Which knowledge and skills are you highlighting in that portfolio item? That can definitely be contained in a case study, regardless of its depth and detail. Context tells a little bit more about you and the project you worked on, to your audience.

    It also doesn’t have to be a case study. However you will manage to put context into your work. How will you get the message across? If screens can accomplish these things, then it’s all good.

    What are some useful tips to get started on UX design?

    It’s ok to take one step at a time to understand the fundamentals of UX. This book, The Elements of User Experience by Jesse James Garrett greatly helped me. Might be a good read for you too, as a start.

    Got the autograph  of UX Rockstar Jesse James Garrett  #uxweek15
    Got the autograph of UX Rockstar Jesse James Garrett #uxweek15

    Good luck on your UX design journey. Remember to have fun! 😎

  • Sharing with the design community

    ADPList Mentors - Philippines (January 2022)
    A screenshot of ADPList mentors from Philippines. January 2022

    Ever since I was welcomed in Amazing Design People List, I’m having more opportunities to help my fellow practitioners in the tech industry. It is by sharing what I know and what I’m experiencing that coincide with what they are exploring — commonly among them — navigating their way in or into the world of user experience (UX).

    Most of them who reached out to me were Filipinos. It makes sense to discuss with someone who has less cultural and language barrier. The conversations went smoothly as much as it could, especially that we both could express in Taglish (a combo of Tagalog and English languages).

    Sharing, so far, is what I would call this stage of our engagements. The designers I’ve met on the other side of the screen — most of them are looking to break their way into the world of UX. I’m looking forward to be of help as these journeys unfold.

    [ntt_percept page=”Mentorship Feedback”]
    Amazing Design People List
    A screenshot of ADPList homepage featuring profile pictures of several mentors. October 2020
  • A way of helping the design community

    We are all affected by this crisis. Some of us have been laid off and some of us have experienced even more difficulty in looking for work — whether it’s freelance or corporate.

    For us who have tried to leap and transition from one organization to another — during the crisis — it was such a dilemma and a leap of faith, so to speak. Because for those who were not fortunate enough, they fell through the cracks when promises by the receiving organizations were really empty.

    Indeed, in life there are no guarantees. We, as people, must improve our resilience and adaptability. And it is no different for designers.

    Whichever case you may be in — whether you’ve just gotten your hands on your diploma or in the middle of your design career — I’m extending my helping hand as a way of giving back to the design community.

    Now, more than ever, we must band together and help each other until, at least, we’re in a better place again.

    [ntt_percept page=”volunteer-work”]