👋 Oi, mga repapips, Brian Dys here! I love music, photography, and creative stuff like UX design and art. This is a place where I collect my thoughts and works. Apart all these, I’m Jaycelle’s better half and Bryce’s dad. 🥰
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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.
Good luck on your UX design journey. Remember to have fun! 😎
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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.
Mentorship feedback
He is so patient and provided so many helpful insights from a principal product designer’s perspective. I learned a lot and can’t wait to improve my portfolio! Thanks!!
Stacey Lee, 14 October 2022
The business outlook and perspective of an experienced UX Designer helped me clear my thoughts on my UX career, also he is very approachable and friendly to his mentees.
Francis Alba, 7 October 2022
Brian was an excellent coach and listener. I learned a lot from our first meeting. He has great insights about UX design and working with developers. I truly appreciate his time. I look forward to learning more from him in the future.
Ish Bartolome, 17 August 2022
Brian was amazing! He is a great listener and amazing at giving career advice! He is also great at helping you understand a certain subject. Brian helped me gain more confidence in myself in my journey, thank you Brian!
John Ticzon, 28 April 2022
It was my first time using adplist to schedule a mentor, and I learned far more than I imagined. Sir Brian is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. Sir Brian could help you if you really want to learn something new or improve your skills. Sir, thank you so much!
Erlind Generalao, 9 March 2022
I found the mentorship with Dys insightful as he was willing to openly share about his experiences in the field. He helped me realize how I can be a better UX designer and coworker. Gained new perspective and actionable steps as well on how to handle being the only designer in my company. Really appreciate his advice!
Mica Flores, 2 March 2022
I had a great time being mentored by Brian. He really gave me good advices on how to start a career in UX/UI design. Looking forward to book a session again in the future.
Abigail Senga, 19 January 2022
I appreciate all the great insights that Mr. Dys shared with me, especially on building my portfolio. He is very accommodating in addressing my questions. He will get to know you and give you valuable information to help you. I have gain new perspective from him in regards to career, study and work.
Amy Susaya, 10 November 2021
Brian is very thorough with his advice and breaks everything down so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. He is compassionate and is generous in sharing what he knows.
Nicole, 9 November 2021
Brian shared a lot of meaningful advice for me as a junior UX Designer. He gave me a lot of information about UX Design, UX Research, and the hiring process. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking mentorship!
Kathrina Tacastacas, 30 June 2021
Kuya Dys provided me with a wealth of information about the hiring process and how to make my resume and portfolio stand up. He is knows the field inside out and I really enjoyed his insights on design in the Philippines. I would recommend him if you need career advice and a good chat on design in general.
William Tolbize, 9 March 2021
Dys is very effective in providing mentorship. He can pinpoint your strengths and provide insightful advice. I am a career shifter and in our conversation, he has provided me with actionable points on how I can apply my current experience to the UX career that I want. Aside from this, his perspective comes from plenty of years of experience. If you are in need of career advice, I highly recommend scheduling with him.
Javi Veron, 17 February 2021
Hi there. I had a great time with Brian during our mentorship session. As a junior UI/UX Designer starting out in the industry, Brian gave me a lot of valuable feedback and career advice on how I can forge my UX career ahead. If you’re looking for a mentor or you need advice when you’re starting out, I highly recommend him to anyone who’s seeking mentorship in the design community. Ultimately, Brian’s really passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable in the field.
Nathan Santos, 19 January 2021
Brian was very passionate and straightforward in reviewing my portfolio when I contacted him in Adplist.org as my mentor. I highly recommend Brian in being a mentor specially if you want to be in the fintech industry as a UX Designer. He gave me a lot of information on how I can improve my portfolio as I am transitioning from Graphic Designer to a UX Designer.
John Patrick Juinio, 10 January 2021
Brian is the best design teacher anyone could come across. He explains concepts really well and has lots of patience.
Samuel Bartels, 18 December 2020
Brian is a great listener and would willingly review your portfolio on how you can improve it. He is comfortable not sugar-coating things which is a good thing for us designers so that we will have a honest feedback from a perspective of a designer. He gave me advice on what are my next step in my portfolio and on what are the things I should have improve in the future.
JP, 22 October 2020
Sharing his own journey in UX with me and helping me get a better understanding of UX team structures. He also pointed me towards new resources and opportunities! Helped me better understand UX in the Philippines.
Lindy Hernandez, 7 October 2020
Since we were both new in our roles, Brian was able to help me craft a strategy on how to approach my first few months of work as a UX Strategist. We were able to cover the tactical aspects on the approach and layout a game plan.
Carlos, 5 October 2020
Prior to our session, I reached out to Brian on LinkedIn simply to connect and say ‘hi’ and he kindly offered to passively chat about questions I might have. He is an excellent listener and gives insightful and practical advice. He asked questions that made me ponder about my career.
Jean, 18 September 2020
He gave me a boost of confidence and a clearer view of what to expect upon career transitioning and the industry!
Rendell, 28 August 2020
References
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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.
- Set a mentorship schedule with me
- You may also check out the other mentors in ADPList
- Looking for a design community? Check out Design Buddies