My background

My journey into UX design began during my time as a narrative designer at a game development studio in Turkey. While crafting stories with words fulfilled part of my creative aspirations, I always sensed there was another design path calling to me. Working alongside a UX/UI designer sparked my curiosity about visual and functional design aspects that extended beyond narrative construction.

When I was younger, I simply knew I wanted to be a designer but was not certain what specifically I would design. Narrative design allowed me to create with words, but it did not completely satisfy my creative vision or fully utilize what I believed was my natural design eye.

The catalyst for my transformation came in December 2023 when I was laid off from my position. Rather than viewing this as a setback, I recognized it as an opportunity to pursue the design discipline that had been increasingly capturing my interest. This pivotal moment in April led to a clear declaration to myself: I needed to transition into UI/UX design.

My challenge

The transition from narrative design to UX/UI presented several significant obstacles:

  • Knowledge fragmentation: Before finding a structured learning approach, I was simply typing random searches into Google and stumbling through disconnected articles and resources
  • Lack of foundational understanding: My intuitive sense about design needed to be grounded in established principles and methodologies
  • Absence of feedback mechanisms: Available platforms like Dribbble offered praise but lacked substantive critique necessary for growth
  • Practice hesitation: Fear initially prevented me from applying theoretical knowledge in practical design exercises
  • Learning pathway confusion: Without clear progression metrics, I could not effectively track my skill development or identify priority focus areas

These challenges collectively created a sense of directionless learning that threatened to undermine my career transition goals. The uncertainty about how to systematically build my skills made the path forward seem daunting and unclear.

Finding my solution

My discovery of Uxcel came through a serendipitous moment while browsing the App Store. This chance encounter felt like a sign guiding me toward my new career direction. I immediately downloaded the application and committed to my development by purchasing a pro account for a year.

The platform immediately transformed my scattered learning approach into a structured pathway that made skill development feel achievable. Unlike other resources I had encountered, Uxcel provided a comprehensive framework that aligned with my learning style, which prioritizes building theoretical knowledge before practical application.

I devoted my first month to intensive knowledge acquisition, methodically working through courses to establish a solid foundation. This approach created the confidence needed to eventually engage with design briefs and practical assignments, overcoming my initial hesitation about applied design work.

What particularly resonated was the platform's multidimensional learning environment that extended beyond passive content consumption:

  • Skill graph visualization: The visual representation of my strengths and growth areas revealed unexpected aptitudes in functional and research aspects of design
  • Gamified skill development: The competitive elements activated my achievement drive, transforming learning into an engaging challenge
  • Community feedback culture: Substantive critique from peers addressed my need for mentorship and guided improvement
  • Comprehensive knowledge hub: Having a central resource eliminated the scattered approach that had previously hindered my progress

This structured approach created a sustainable learning process that I continue to follow today, integrating both theoretical development and practical application.

Effect on my career

The structured learning approach has fundamentally transformed both my skills and professional identity. What began as curiosity has evolved into a new career direction with tangible outcomes:

  • Career transition: Successfully pivoted from narrative design to a designer role at a nonprofit organization
  • Balanced skill development: Discovered unexpected strengths in functional UX research alongside my anticipated visual design abilities
  • Feedback integration: Regular submission of design briefs with subsequent improvements based on community feedback
  • Design confidence: Developed the ability to evaluate design choices through an informed, principled approach rather than just intuition
  • Professional community: Established connections with peers who reach out via LinkedIn for advice about learning pathways

On a scale of 1-10, I rate Uxcel's impact on my skill development and design confidence as an 8, underscoring its significant contribution to my professional transformation. The platform did not merely provide information but fundamentally changed how I approach learning and practice.

This transition has revealed unexpected aspects of my design identity. While I initially assumed I would focus primarily on UI design, creating visual elements like buttons and interfaces, the skill graph revealed equal strengths in functional and research components of UX. This insight has expanded my professional vision beyond what I had initially imagined for myself.

For other designers considering similar transitions or seeking skill development, I emphasize several key insights from my experience:

1. Seek structured knowledge: Random articles and disconnected resources cannot replace a systematically organized learning pathway.

2. Embrace community feedback: Substantive critique accelerates growth more effectively than superficial praise. The feedback culture within a learning community is invaluable for professional development.

3. Balance theory and practice: A solid foundation of theoretical knowledge creates confidence for practical application, but both elements must work together for effective skill development.

4. Challenge self assessments: My assumption about being primarily a visual designer was challenged by data showing equal strengths in functional areas. Objective skill assessment reveals capabilities we might not recognize in ourselves.

The combination of foundational knowledge, practical application, and community feedback creates a powerful ecosystem for professional transformation. Through this structured approach, I have not only acquired new skills but discovered aspects of my design identity that would have remained hidden without systematic development and objective assessment.

What began as curiosity about a colleague's work has evolved into a comprehensive career transformation, revealing professional strengths and capabilities I had not previously recognized in myself. The journey continues as I regularly return to this learning ecosystem to refine my skills and deepen my expertise in both visual and functional aspects of user experience design.