Embarking on a journey from being a designer to a developer is not just a career shift but a transformation of creative vision into tangible reality. In this blog post, I'll share my personal experiences, challenges, and revelations as I made the transition, hoping it inspires fellow designers contemplating a similar path.

What inspired the transition?

I took the leap into development because I wanted to bring my designs to life. Faced with a shortage of developers at Global, I decided to explore coding myself, eager to see my creations go beyond the design stage.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

One of the major challenges was grappling with imposter syndrome. Being self-taught meant lacking a mentor's guidance. External courses from tech companies helped me contextualise my work, providing the confidence boost I needed to overcome self-doubt. However, finding these resources was a journey in itself.

Design's Influence on Coding Approach

My background in UI/UX design greatly influenced my coding approach. Understanding people's needs and delivering information effectively in design translated seamlessly into practical development work. It gave me a strong context for what I was building.

Learning Paths and Resources

While Vue seemed promising initially, I eventually transitioned to React due to its flexibility. Next.js quickly became my go-to framework for its added server-side functionality.

Jellyfish Training and a week-long React course provided by Global kickstarted my coding journey. Udemy, Stack Overflow, and countless Google searches served as valuable resources for continuous learning.

A 'Problem-Solving' Perspective

Shifting from design to development deepened my understanding of developers' challenges. I became a translator between design and development, always prioritizing user-centric solutions.

The realization that 'perfection' isn't always attainable was a real game-changer. There's a point where you have to finish a task and move forward, a crucial lesson in the dynamic world of development.

Dual Skill Set's Impact on Opportunities

While time will tell, I now actively pursue developer roles and no longer identify solely as a designer. The fusion of design and development skills opens up a world of professional possibilities, but my peers tell me It's important to have a distinct focus. For me, the jury is still out on this one.

What I am sure of: now is the perfect time to broaden your skill set. With AI handling heavy lifting, expanding into development is more accessible than ever. Bringing your ideas from a design image to a working product is immensely fulfilling, and developers value the creative input a designer brings to the table.

Transitioning from a designer to a developer is a challenging and rewarding journey. Embracing the evolving landscape of technology opens up new horizons for creative individuals. If I can make this transition, so can you. Now is the time to turn your design pixels into functional code and witness the magic unfold.