Reinventing My Career During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A UX/UI Designer’s Journey
The COVID-19 pandemic was a profound global event that brought both disruption and unexpected opportunities. As the world grappled with the virus, many of us faced significant challenges and changes in our lives.
Just before the pandemic was declared, my contract as a graphic designer ended. With the onset of lockdowns, finding a new job became nearly impossible. I saw this as a rare chance to make a significant career change. Although I had a basic grasp of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, I hadn’t considered it seriously as a career path.
During those surreal days, I lived alone in Majorna, Göteborg, with my two cats. Like many, I was anxious about the virus and its impact on our lives. The days seemed to drag on, and I knew I needed to find something I was passionate about to make them more bearable. I had heard of the Interaction Design Foundation (IxDF) and read some positive reviews, but I hadn’t explored their courses in detail. Finally, one evening, driven by a sense of purpose, I decided to immerse myself in a field that truly interested me. I planned out my studies and found that diving into this new learning journey helped me manage the stress and monotony of the pandemic. I enrolled in two courses, but soon after, got sick with COVID-19.
Despite the surreal experience of having COVID, I continued my studies in Human-Computer Interaction and Gestalt Psychology. The flexibility of the online courses, their diverse formats, and the absence of strict deadlines made them a perfect fit during this period. They provided a meaningful distraction and valuable insights. With this newfound knowledge, I could confidently apply for jobs and secure my first remote UX/UI position in Sweden and later in Norway.
Reflecting on my time at the IxDF, it’s difficult to pick just a few standout courses because many were valuable. However, I particularly enjoyed those focused on sustainable design, emotional design, user research, and accessibility. These topics deepened my understanding of creating thoughtful and inclusive designs.
The Interaction Design Foundation was instrumental in my career transition. It provided essential resources, knowledge, and a supportive UX design community that helped me navigate this shift. This experience not only reshaped my professional path but also taught me about resilience and the importance of community. Now, in 2024, I’m grateful for the opportunity to work in a field I’m passionate about and look forward to what lies ahead.:)
