Uninvited at the Wrong Party: My Journey from Code to Canvas

Hello, everyone. I’m Aditi, and I’d like to share my journey of making a career switch to product design.

Introduction

Have you ever been to a party where you feel you don’t belong? Or do you have less fun at that party than everyone else is having? We’ve all experienced that uncomfortable feeling, haven’t we?

In this blog post, I want to share my journey of discovering that I was at the wrong party and how I worked my way out of that discomfort.

The Shift

In my sixth semester of college, I secured a position at a dynamic fintech startup in Bangalore. I started my career there as an Android developer but quickly shifted to the Frontend profile. However, it didn’t take long to realize that I wasn’t truly enjoying my work. I firmly believe that success in any field requires a genuine passion for what you do.

It was during a one-on-one meeting with the CEO that I summoned the courage to express my lack of enthusiasm for my current role. The CEO asked: “What can you do repeatedly without growing bored or complaining?”

I quickly shared my love for painting and how it allowed me to fill a blank canvas with my thoughts, creating something beautiful and meaningful. He then challenged me, asking what I’d do if my painting failed to convey the intended message or didn’t meet my expectations.

My response was simple: I would try again because I relished the act of self-expression through my art.

The Opportunity

After that conversation, the CEO presented an opportunity I had never anticipated. He asked if I would be interested in joining the design team and learning about product design from experienced designers. With a sense of excitement, I accepted the offer.

As I began working alongside the design team, I quickly realized how much I enjoyed my newfound role. I eagerly anticipated the challenges that came my way, and I took great pleasure in solving them. Six months flew by, and it was time for my half-yearly review. This review, however, did not unfold as I expected.

They advised me to return to my original role as a developer, explaining that I got hired as a developer, not a designer. Furthermore, if I chose to switch to the designer profile, it would come at the cost of a reduced salary due to my engineering background.

At that moment, I reluctantly agreed to revert to my initial profile. However, my passion for design continued to burn brightly. After my regular work hours, I dedicated myself to learning the nuances of UI and UX design.

Once I felt confident I could excel in a design interview, I started applying for designer roles.

The Transformation

The road to becoming a product designer wasn’t without its challenges. Rejection from several companies, all citing my development background, became a common theme. But perseverance paid off.

I eventually received an offer from Fyle Technologies, which filled me with joy and gratitude. They were willing to take a chance on me, and I was determined to prove that their faith in me was well-placed.

Since that pivotal day, my journey has been a rollercoaster ride filled with joy and challenges.

I can confidently say I am no longer that uncomfortable guest at a party where I didn’t belong.

Discovering My Creative Path

Moreover, it’s essential to recognize that becoming a product designer doesn’t necessitate an inherent interest in painting or any craft. While my journey seamlessly merged my passion for art with my design work, these two aspects can be independent and may only hold for some facing a similar crossroads.

What matters most is finding your unique sources of inspiration and creativity, whatever they may be. In my case, the harmony between my imagination on canvas and my work has been unexpected.

It’s important to remember that your path to becoming a product designer is uniquely yours, and you should embrace what drives your creativity, even if it’s different from my experience.

Conclusion

To those reading this: Believe in yourself and never give up.

Every day, I'm getting better at design, and I'm excited about the journey ahead. Achieving my dream is not just a possibility, it's a certainty. Confidence in every step! 💪✨