Lecture Notes: Transitioning into a Visual Designer Role at Google

Introduction

• Speaker: Lisa, a Visual Designer at Google.
• Role: Focuses on the creative expression of user experience as a visual designer.

Career Transition

• Background:
  • Traditional graphic design and branding portfolio.
  • Internship projects for nine months.
• Decision to shift to User Experience (UX) Design without prior UX experience.

Portfolio Development

• Aim: To convert a graphic design portfolio into a UX-focused portfolio.
• Strategy:
  • Redefine the role in the portfolio as a "Visual Designer."
  • Focus on storytelling and user experience thinking.
  • Revamp the layout to align with UX projects.

Experience at Google

• Initial Challenges:
  • Catching up with tools and software used in UX design.
  • Faking it until gaining confidence in the role.
• Team's Response:
  • Team valued curiosity, eagerness to learn, and enthusiasm.
  • Lack of specific technical knowledge was not a barrier due to the willingness to learn.

Key Takeaways

• Importance of self-identification as a visual designer.
• Essential traits: Curiosity, ambition, eagerness to learn.
• Success driven by the ability to project as a motivated and curious designer.