{"id":15633,"date":"2021-06-21T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-21T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquent.com\/?p=15633"},"modified":"2021-06-21T04:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T09:00:00","slug":"how-to-architect-and-plan-your-career-in-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aquent.com\/en-au\/blog\/how-to-architect-and-plan-your-career-in-design","title":{"rendered":"How to architect and plan your career in design"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I work with designers<\/a>\u00a0considering the next step of their careers, I see two types.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The Planners who see their careers as a linear path towards a defined role \u2013 a leadership position in management.<\/li>\n
  2. The Drifters who float through their careers, perhaps staying in one role or organisation too long, or taking opportunistic roles that did not provide room for growth or play to their strengths.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Neither group takes the time to consider whether the role is right for their life. The Planners see the next role as the \u2018right role' in the ladder; the Drifters have a moment of panic and take what's offered.<\/p>\n

    There are 5 principles I use to ground designers in career conversations:<\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. No career is linear<\/li>\n
    2. There is no 20 (or 5 year) plan<\/li>\n
    3. Life circumstances change your plans<\/li>\n
    4. But you can\u00a0architect and plan your career<\/a> in design<\/li>\n
    5. Use wayfinding as a way to take stock and find the path forward<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Principle 1: No career is linear<\/h3>\n

      \"No<\/p>\n

      No career path is linear; your experiences, skills, life circumstances, and people in your life will affect the next step in your career.<\/p>\n

      Designers find in their early careers a natural career progression; moving from junior to mid-level to senior practitioner based on their improving and expanding design skills and experience.<\/p>\n

      But as we move further into our career, so does increasing pressures from life; children, illness, parents and financial responsibilities. It is then that we should consciously choose the right path based on where we are right now; not where we are supposed to be.<\/p>\n

      Principle 2: There is no 20 or 5 year plan<\/h3>\n

      \"There<\/p>\n

      Digital and experience design has changed continually since the 1990s.<\/p>\n

      The rapid change in technology, screen sizes, bandwidth and sophistication of what can be achieved, has changed what and how we design.<\/p>\n

      Our profession has changed; where in the year 2000 digital design covered a breadth of techniques from strategy to interaction design; digital designers are now more specialised into research, UX\/UI design, service design and experience strategists.<\/p>\n

      This rapid change in technology and a maturing profession, means deciding on one role and path for the next 20 years is impossible. You would need a crystal ball to see the profession's future.<\/p>\n

      Instead plan for the next 12-24 months.<\/p>\n

      Principle 3: Life circumstances change your plans<\/h3>\n

      \"Life<\/p>\n

      I had two major life changes to my life in 2008 and 2010 \u2013 breast cancer and leukaemia. Up to that point, I was leading a Business and UX Consultancy practice at a small public service consultancy.<\/p>\n

      After the treatment there was no way I could physically work the hours demanded for the role, or had the appetite for the role. I had to make a change \u2014 I went back to being a practitioner.<\/p>\n

      As our life circumstances change, directions will also change. We need to take into consideration our health, our families, where we live and our financial responsibilities in any new role or path we take.<\/p>\n

      Principle 4: You can architect and plan your career in design<\/h3>\n

      \"You<\/p>\n

      Even though nothing is truly stable in digital design careers, drifting is not an option.<\/p>\n