// ABOUT ME

I’m Nicole Franq and I’m a Senior UX Designer by day and helping other break into the field. I made the switch from hedge fund accountant to UX designer in 2017 and have never looked back. I help others break into tech and design their dream lives.

I offer 1:1 coaching for those needing mentorship and guidance. Let’s talk:
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44 Comments

  1. ux designer at TPCI- yes UX design is mostly relationship management. this is what makes it so hard. Making a product that is beautiful and intuitive is easy. convincing people its the right answer and can be built while maintaining civil relationships is the hardest part.

  2. Please don’t watch this, it’s very negative, especially for beginners. I can’t reach out to you, I already have a headache watching. Please change your title(Things to look out for). Manage your emotions, you are discouraging passionate newbies.

  3. I think the video should not be titled “Reasons not to become a UX designer”, rather it should be “What really is to be a UX designer”. What you're saying is super real, but it's part of the true role of a web designer, and it's what nobody often tells you in bootcamps or in a specialization, as in many other careers. I think that an essential part of a UX designer is that he understands that his work is intrinsically related to technology, therefore, with programming languages and software logic. Without that understanding it is foolish to start in this industry. It's like wanting to be a doctor, but being afraid of blood.

  4. What kind of percentage raise do you think a company should offer to make it worth continuing to work for them instead going somewhere else for a potentially higher salary?

  5. can you make a video about your first UX job and how it shaped you as a designer, as well as what you learned from it? i can't seem to find much content on when you ACTUALLY land the first job, only videos on tips to land one… if you have any resources/videos i feel like that would be really beneficial for those of us who are just starting out at our first official job!

  6. Are you still accepting coaching requests? I’ve been working Client Services in Finance for the last 2 years and would really appreciate any advice on how to make the UX/UI transition the right way.

  7. Nicole, I couldn’t agree more. As a senior ux designer and BA analyst… the best way to break into the business is to get certified in BA analytics and promote yourself as a UX designer with BA experience. I’m honestly considering transitioning to BA or cybersecurity. UX is difficult mainly because you need creativity, technical knowledge and business skills. All the jobs I get are Power BI roles in finance and government. Well paid and I wouldn’t bother with eCommerce or any other industries.

  8. I think lot of this is 💯 if you work at a company that doesn't have UX maturity. It's a stressful job when you're working with people who don't understand UX and aren't actively think about users. It's even worse when design and research is structured under Product. There's literally no one who can vouch for your field.

    My UX design colleagues seem to be pulling out their hair as much as I do. 😂

    My UX design partners face so much back and forth there is between them, their manager, PMs and leadership and how sometimes it comes down to leadership decisions.

    I've also worked at companies that have a good UX maturity, the designers seems less stressed, but depends on the PM they work with, but leadership will always win if they have a vision for the business.

  9. If there is something I have realized in my short career as a UX designer is that we try to propose a solution to many people's digital problems, but no two people are the same so there is no such solution, it's like trying to cover the sun with your hand to empathize with everyone. That's why I have my doubts about what we designers do. And many of the digital products are focused on one thing only, the purchase conversion. In the end everything is focused on a business need rather than helping the user. Thanks for your video!

  10. Every career or job has its cons. If you are passionate about it, you will be okay. Teachers make less than a UX designer, and some people complain about the career and people who are incredibly passionate about what they do, and t he cons won't matter as much. No job will be easy. You have to work.

  11. I think the hardest part of the job is not get salary you expected. But finding the problem that fit with your solution. Because if you don’t know how to find it will be harder.

    Hey Nicole Franq, If you want partner up with me I’m hype. I have a design, half finish prototype. If you want collaboration or give your time for an opinion for my project let me know. I’m planning starting global business soon I’m ready if you interested.

  12. Damn, the way you put it.. you look depressed af working at your job or just being in the field generally.. its definitely written all over your face. i was happy.. but thanks to you, the joy is now gone. thanks for your honest review.. hope mines is received the same. cheers!

  13. Describing something as "difficult" doesn't really inform us of anything. What looks difficult for you, doesn't necessarily look difficult for someone else. What would've been more helpful, is if you provided statistics on the number of jobs available, the regions where those jobs are available, the number of applicants, the number of interviews taking place, the number of people entering the industry, at what rate…

  14. I feel like she was sold on some fantastical vision of what ux design is and is now just talking about her experiences and how she felt when she realized it wasn't what she was sold. Most people going in to ux design should know it's work. People coming from blue collar work wont be intimidated by this, because it just sounds like work. Ups and downs, left and right, frustrations and unexpected work is just another week day for people coming from blue collar. But even if you're not, most people should research what their getting themselves into.

  15. If you come from a background of engineering. You know this is a typical day, I don’t see any difference in what you say. I have started and I have chemical engineering background no nothing of tech, so I guess it is personal experience. Work on developing personal skills and recognizing that is normal this way.

  16. It is true that the tech industry has become highly competitive and popular in recent years, leading to a saturation of people interested in pursuing careers in this field. Some individuals may feel threatened by the increased competition and fear being outshined by others. However, it is essential to remember that everyone has their own unique skills and abilities, and there is room for individual success and creativity within the industry.

    While it is true that working for a company often involves following guidelines and adhering to certain standards, it doesn't necessarily mean there is no room for creativity. Many tech companies encourage innovation and provide opportunities for employees to contribute their ideas and solutions. Additionally, working within a company can provide valuable learning experiences and opportunities for professional growth.

    However, if you have a strong desire for more creative freedom and want to explore your own ideas fully, pursuing an entrepreneurial path or working for yourself might be a better fit. Being an entrepreneur allows you to have more control over your work and implement your own creative vision. It comes with its own set of challenges but can be rewarding for those willing to take on the risks.

    Ultimately, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons, consider your own aspirations and strengths, and make a decision that aligns with your goals and values. Remember, even if your initial plan doesn't work out, there are always alternative paths and opportunities to explore.

  17. I agree with that, especially if you're the only designer, is not all flowers at all! Luckily in Australia, the scenario is a bit better in terms of salary, but in terms of UX Maturity most companies, even big ones are still on baby steps.

  18. I wouldn't even call it career. I was studying communication design back in 2013 and since then worked as a freelancer and specialised in User Experience. Now with two years of experience working in Switzerland, I still have huge troubles finding a new job. Most employees expect you to be a readymade senior designer and since my industry experience is limited I cannot possibly compete with anybody on the market out there, no matter the references or professional presentation. Unfortunately, most people even won't invite you to an interview. I would love to shine with my various interests and soft skills but it's tough to break the initial barrier. Plus, it ain't easy to find an employer who has a professional UX or product management department, but I want to gather relevant experience in a professional environment. I'm currently reflecting on changing my career to something else. Glad that I have so many interests.

  19. I transitioned from marketing to UX Design and I have to agree with some points. Most designers unfortunately do not care for soft skills and this is the downfall. I successfully managed to land a job so quickly not because of my design knowledge but because of my communication and management skills. As the YouTuber said, UX designers have to be agile.

  20. I quit my previous job as UI/UX designer last year December and from the day I quit till now I applied to 100 job applications and only got like 5 interviews from 5 companies and till this day I am still struggling to find a job vacany. I have over 3 years of experince, but at one point I thought as low to apply for intern just to get the job. Honestly, I am actually starting to regret picking up this filed. I tried freelancing but that also did not work well for me. My last company had toxic UI/UX leader as my manager

  21. This is a valuable perspective. I have studied and worked in UI/UX and what Ms. Franq says matches my experience. However, the majority of the advice applies to anyone who is new to almost any field. The process that was taught in school is largely disregarded in a professional setting. Working in a medium or large organization can create a dull process and product. That's just the nature of that scale of creativity. The loudest voice in the room (due to position or personality) can skew the entire process. UX designer do advocate for the end user, but that user's perspective is sadly ignored in almost every in-house conversation. Even if you are a lone-wolf freelancers, your clients will probably be medium to large organizations, so many of the same obstacles will be present.
    Frankly, every person is in business for themselves. Even if you are on a 100-person UI/UX team, you are offering a service to a (in-house) client. Ms. Franq is correct that you will have to learn, adapt, endure setbacks, and try again. That's not unique to UX work, but I think she has described it well in our profession.

  22. Why are you crying? Don’t listen to her she does not love this job she currently have. Some things are true but these type of videos are here to prevent you to get into this field. This type of videos has a goal to make you believe that it does not worth to be ui ux designer in 2023.

  23. Thank you so much for this video. I want to change my career path and i have to say this video inspires me to do it.. i understand that the point was to show the downsides and that is ok.. but the kind of career described suites me very much. Thank you for all the insights🥰

  24. These complaints aren’t complaints…it’s business. Other YuTubers have said the same things but with a positive perspective. To anyone who is feeling burnt out by their job… it’s OK to take a break (from vacation to working elsewhere full or part time.) If you are not financially able experiment to find new ways to get inspired. But, dumping negativity to discourage others…should be saved for therapy sessions. The plugs to contact her for help are hilarious.

  25. Reasons why you should become a UX designer instead of staying in your blue collar, labor intensive warehouse job or oil field job. I've seen a few videos like this, making it seem like UX design or cybersecurity or some other tech job has a harsh reality or why you shouldn't join because you stay busy….These people have lost touch with reality because I'd rather be having headaches solving problems then working 12-17 hours slaving, lifting heavy crap and having no work life balance. I understand every job or career has its issues, drama and taxing work. But they make it seem like it's comparable to randomly getting called to go work in the oil field 😅

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