The Designer's Toolkit

Aug 05 2021
The Designer's Toolkit Podcast artwork

There's no one path that works for a new designer trying to break into UX— a field full of diverse people from varied backgrounds. Join UX designer Maya Pelichet to talk about her experiences navigating work, life, and change as a woman and person of color alongside guest co-hosts who work in Design. Listen in on conversations that answer all of the little questions you would never ask at work but that give you the tools you need to thrive in the industry.

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11: Imposter syndrome

Aug 05 2021 56 mins  
How do you identify the symptoms of imposter syndrome that affect you? What can you do to empower yourself to overcome these challenges? Imposter syndrome is an unpredictable mindset that may influence your life and design career. In the season 1 finale, Jessica and Maya chat about this disruptive phenomenon and how to deal with it. We'll share our experiences with imposter syndrom

10: Meet the team

Jul 28 2021 36 mins  
This week we're introducing the team! Join Jessica, Maya, Leena, and Cheng-hong as we learn about each other, talk about our goals and dreams, and answer fun questions!

9: Storytime: Struggles on the job

Jul 21 2021 44 mins  
What are some of the day-to-day challenges a designer might need to navigate? How do you work with ambiguous feedback or disrespectful partners? In this episode, Jessica and Maya share stories from the trenches and how we grew from those experiences. From feeling pressure at work to working with difficult partners outside of UX, we'll tackle how our stories have built us into the d

8: Build a seat at the table for UX

Jul 14 2021 36 mins  
How do you build a seat at the table for UX design? What do you do when other disciplines you work with disagree with you? Design is a very specific skill set that doesn't overlap in responsibility with a lot of other disciplines. As a result, your partners may have preconceived notions of what UX does that will affect how your work is defined. In this episode, Jessica and Maya cha

7: How do I stand out as a designer?

Jul 08 2021 37 mins  
How do you stand out in a competitive industry like design? How do you position yourself as an authority when you're new to a team?  In this episode, Maya and Jessica walk through tips to help you become the Designer everyone raves about! We'll share how to build your brand, advocate for yourself, and proactively grow your career.   Join us on Instagram @thedesignerstoolk

6: Breaking down the UX interview

Jun 30 2021 59 mins  
How do you prep for an interview? What should you expect from the process? Join Jessica and Maya as we share our tips and tricks for walking out of a UX interview confident that you nailed it. We'll cover how to ask thoughtful questions that will impress, what to wear, how to avoid common mistakes, and what the hiring team might be looking for in your answers.  Join us on Inst

5: The 15 things we wish we knew about job hunting

Jun 23 2021 66 mins  
What does it take to get a job in the UX industry? How can you make your application stand out? In this episode, Jessica and Maya share how our views of the job hunt have changed throughout our careers now that we've been both hired and hirers. We'll talk through how to prepare for the job hunt, if hiring teams even care about cover letters, and how to stay confident throughout the

4: Building a portfolio: Web vs Deck

Jun 16 2021 66 mins  
Is there a right or wrong way to put together a portfolio that sets you apart from the crowd? What do you do when you're staring at the blank page, struggling to figure out how to tell the story of your work?  In this episode, Jessica and Maya chat about the most important tool in the designer's job search: the portfolio. We'll break down the key elements in successful web and

3: Essential soft skills for UX designers

Jun 09 2021 44 mins  
How do you frame soft skills in your credentials as a UX Designer? How can soft skills transform a good designer into a stellar one?  In this episode, Jessica and Maya talk about essentials to being a UX Designer that you won't learn in any formal training. As a new designer, you can sometimes face an uphill battle in building a healthy dynamic at work. We'll share how we buil

2: Design software you should know

Jun 02 2021 58 mins  
What design software should you spend your time learning? Which tools do you use to create your best work?  In this episode, Jessica and Maya cover the spectrum of design programs you may find on a UX Designer's resume. From the industry giants to the up-and-comers, we'll share our thoughts on the pros and cons for each based on the type of design work you are doing. We'll als