Lecture on Career Strategies in UX Design amid AI Advancements

Introduction

• Common Concern: Struggling in career, spent money on UX boot camp, made case studies, cold emailing without success.
• Double Challenge: Bad job market and AI advancements potentially making last year’s learning outdated.

Figma and its Developments

• Figma Tool: Popular design tool, host config conference annually.
• Config APAC: Held in Singapore, showcased new features of Figma.
• New Features: Figma AI
  • Helps in initial drafts, prototyping links, renaming layers, writing content.
  • Enhances speed and quality of design ideas.
• Figma Slides: Create decks and presentations with interactive elements.
• UI3: New look and feel for Figma.
• Recommendation: Watch full session recording on Figma’s YouTube channel.

Design Industry's Reaction to AI

• Split Opinions: Excitement vs. anxiety.
• Complexity in Design: Involves juggling multiple concerns and constant learning.
• Job Impact: IMF warning about AI impacting 40% of jobs globally.

Strategy for Designers

• Continuing Relevance: UX designers still needed, but roles will evolve.
• Key Components of Workflow:
  • Define the problem.
  • Write appropriate AI prompts.
  • Validate AI output.
  • Build on AI results.

Skills to Focus On

• Critical Thinking: Essential for defining problems and validating AI output.
• Writing Skills: Crucial for creating effective AI prompts.
• Communication: Necessary for collaboration and articulating design vision.
• Learning AI: Stay updated with skills and courses on platforms like YouTube.

Planning and Learning Framework - UPLIFT

• Understanding: Watch Figma Config APAC sessions.
• Planning: Set timelines to complete critical thinking and problem-solving skills playlists.
• Learning: Dedicated hours each day for structured learning.
• Implementing: Apply what you learn in personal projects after sufficient learning.
• Focusing: Create specialized case studies for targeted industries.
• Testing: Regular feedback from seniors, mentors, and LinkedIn.

Mental Health and Long-term Strategy

• Health: Take care of physical and mental well-being.
• Visibility and Access: Build a personal brand, network purposefully.
• Writing and Speaking: Continuous improvement in these areas for next-level leverage.

Resources and Final Thoughts

• Free Content: Access to free courses on their YouTube channel and learning platform.
• Implementation: Create a 60-day upskilling syllabus.
• Action Plan: Summarize learnings and plan next steps in the comments.
• Encouragement: Stay calm and proactive in learning and evolving with AI advancements.