Finding New Purpose Within an Existing Design Career

UX Academy graduate Chofi Chang decided to make the switch from graphic design to UX when she discovered a passion for developing products that can positively impact people’s lives. We recently caught up with her to chat about how graphic design informed her transition into UX and to learn more about her current role as a Senior Product Designer. She shared how a supportive community, particularly her mentors (names) with whom she developed long-standing relationships, helped her achieve her creative and career goals.

What were you doing before you joined UX Academy? 

Before UX Academy, I worked as a brand/graphic designer. My journey into UX design was a natural progression from my graphic design background. 

While I enjoyed the creative aspects of visual design, I increasingly found myself drawn to the underlying structure and user experience of the products I was working on. I began to question how we could make these designs not only visually appealing but also intuitive and user-friendly. 

This is why I was excited about UX—I wanted to create great products for people and study their needs to improve their lives. 

My journey was a natural progression from my graphic design background. The prospect of crafting products that genuinely improve people's lives was incredibly exciting.

Did you feel having prior design experience informed your career transition? 

Yes! My passion for creating intuitive and user-centered digital experiences led me to pursue this career. While my background in graphic design provided a strong foundation in visual communication, I realized that I wanted to delve deeper into understanding user behavior and needs. 

So my journey was a natural progression from my graphic design background. The prospect of crafting products that genuinely improve people's lives was incredibly exciting. I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to conduct research, empathize with users, and design solutions that seamlessly integrate form and function. 

My design background helped me prioritize these research and ideation phases. Being confident in execution allowed me to focus on understanding the purpose behind my designs.

I would imagine you were able to jump right into UX Academy given your background. 

Yes! I opted out of the UX Academy Foundations course, and I already had experience using Figma at work.

That’s great! How was your experience in the program? 

Overall, it was great! I met some like-minded people both online and in person. It's great to speak about the experience or the courses with peers. 

The Group Crits have been invaluable for improving my presentation skills and learning from others' feedback. Observing and providing constructive feedback has built my confidence and helped me articulate my thoughts more clearly.

Everyone comes from different backgrounds, and it's delightful to know each of them because every product designer with a different background brings something new to the table. When we share or talk, we actually learn more from each other. It's great to build a community and network with each other.

The Group Crits in particular have been invaluable for improving my presentation skills and learning from others' feedback. Observing and providing constructive feedback has built my confidence and helped me articulate my thoughts more clearly. I tried to attend Group Crits as much as possible while I was in the bootcamp. 

Also, all the design mentors I met during the course are still in touch with me. I believe the one-on-one mentorship is the most valuable asset of the course. I enjoyed every session with them and I really gained a lot from them. It's also a great way to network with people in the industry.

That’s amazing! Can you tell me a bit more about your mentorship experience? 

For sure! I had different mentors between the phases of the bootcamp, I switched mentors to gain diverse perspectives and expand my network. I worked with Shruthi Bollady during Phase I and Andrea Soverini during Phase II. My experience with my mentors and my career coach was excellent, and we've even discussed potential collaborations. 

I’ve officially started working as a product designer, but I continue to connect with my Career Services coach, Roxeanne Rosewood, appreciating the guidance and goals she set. 

My experience with my mentors was excellent, and we've even discussed potential collaborations… we continue to stay in touch, and I value the continued support for both career and personal growth.

Even though I have a product designer role now, we continue to stay in touch after having completed Career Services, and she encourages ongoing growth through networking events and personal development. I value the continued support and connections for both career and personal growth. 

How was the job search process for you? 

The job search was tiring, but also a great learning experience. I applied to many positions and participated in numerous interviews, including whiteboard challenges and design tasks.  It was overwhelming, but I saw it as an opportunity to practice, network, and refine my presentation skills. While some interviews didn't go my way, each rejection brought me closer to where I am today.

It took about 2 months, but then I landed my current job as a Senior Product Designer at TVBS, a Media company in Taipei, where I’m located.

Can you tell me a bit more about your current role? 

My role is a dynamic mix of everything! I work on product roadmaps, optimize existing UI/UX experiences, and even contribute to the product's visual identity and design. It allows me to leverage both my brand design experience and my newly acquired product design skills.

I am optimizing the UI/UX of a media product, managing branding, and developing a new system for it (the current asset lacks a fundamental system). My product manager and I are also working on a new product roadmap aimed at increasing revenue and reshaping the product's overall look and feel. 

This role is ideal for me because, with my background in brand design, I can seamlessly handle both branding and product design, perfectly aligning with my expertise.

If you were to give advice to someone who's considering switching their career or transitioning into UX/UI, what would it be? 

Be mentally prepared for some moments to be overwhelming, but you can make it through just like everyone else! Some people take it as a part-time track, some are full-time like me—it was stressful, but you can and will find your own pace! 

Also, remember why you want to transition into UX/UI. If it truly resonates with your thinking and beliefs, do it. For me personally, since I stepped into the UI/UX field, it's trained me to think about and view design differently, and this is what I wanted! 

A new perspective is what I needed, and I know that I have it. I'm excited about what I will create and bring to the industry.

Check out some more student stories below:

Galyna’s Path to UX Designer: A Journey of Passion, Persistence, and Growth at Shopify

Mert's Journey from UX Academy to Tech Entrepreneur

Designing Her Career: Meena's Creative Leap from Graphic Design to UX