Ricardo holds a degree in Business Administration and in Graphic Design. He has worked in Design for 8 years, initially creating offline material, then online and e-commerce projects.
He decided to transition to UX Design when he noticed that the tech field was growing and UX professionals were in high demand.
However, this change was more challenging than he thought it would be. Keep reading to learn more about a career in Product Design!
"On average, I receive about 2 job offers a week through LinkedIn". – Ricardo Tedeschi
Ricardo, can you tell us about your selection process for the company you are currently working for?
I work at Concrete Solutions, a large technology and services consulting firm. I am currently allocated as a Senior Product Designer at Itaú Bank, our client.
My selection process was something that caught me by surprise. The contact was made entirely through LinkedIn, led by them. I had not even applied for any job offers myself.
Until then, I had no experience in Product Design. I didn't even have a UX Design portfolio. Therefore, I tried to be very honest in the interview.
I said that in terms of UI, I had experience. I knew how to work on IOS and Android platforms and showed some screens I had made. But in terms of Product Design, I still didn't have much experience.
I think the key at this point is honesty. In the interview, I said that I was studying and preparing, and if I had a chance to take this job, I could develop professionally and meet the company's expectations.
The interesting thing is that the company I work for values your willingness to learn, and that's why they gave me this chance.
Initially, it was challenging as everything was new to me, and the processes were complex. However, the MID classes, your valuable feedback, the insightful interviews with professionals, and the connections I made through networking played a crucial role.
Thanks to these resources, I have grown significantly more confident in my role. I have successfully adapted to the company's routine and embraced the Agile methodology.
How do you see the Product Design market?
The Product Design market in São Paulo is heated. There are proposals of all types: to be Head, Manager. It's crazy sometimes.
I was recently called to participate in a selection process at a multinational company for a UX Manager position. I talked to a mentor from the MID and asked for his opinion.
He advised me not to miss the opportunity to participate in the process and to be honest about my expertise level.
In the end, the position didn't work out. But I like to give this example so people can picture the booming industry.
On average, I receive about 2 job offers per week through LinkedIn. You even have to be careful not to change companies without a defined career plan and without knowing where you want to go.
Reading Tip: LinkedIn for Designers: Tips to Boost Your Profile
What changed in your work routine as a Product Designer?
Honestly, a lot has changed. Because when we work as UI or Web Designers, we worry about the aesthetics of a website. That's our focus.
When I started working as a Product Designer, my mind expanded. You see the business more clearly and better understand the journey users go through to acquire a product or service.
There is a whole meaning behind what you do. When creating a page, you think more about its functionality. Even designing a screen has become the easiest step in the process.
Today, I know more about business and strategy and understand the pains and challenges that users have.
One of the biggest changes is being closer to the team, especially with the developers. You get to know other points of view, and your mind opens up to different things.
What is your Design team like?
I work as a Product Designer in a consultancy that uses Scrum methodology. Demands are divided into sprints, and we have a set amount of time to complete each project step. The objective is to deliver small intermediary results at the end of each sprint.
Our client is Itaú Bank, which already has an Agile and Scrum-based work methodology. We are implementing a dual-track model with discovery and delivery phases. I am participating in this initiative since we find it to be the best model for our client.
My daily routine involves evaluating business or user needs together with the Product Owner to determine their value. If the needs are viable, the Design team discusses feasibility, and I, as a Product Designer, begin the process of creating prototypes and validations.
We don't work alone in these processes. We often request help from other teams. We even have a ceremony called Design Day, where all the Designers gather to discuss problems. This is essential and helps us a lot.
Product Design is a team effort that requires constant learning and adaptation.
There is a lot to study. I acknowledge that there are still some areas in this process where I need to improve to feel more comfortable, such as user research.
However, the MID program is helping me evolve. We have mentors who are experienced designers working in the field.
Having access to them to ask questions is essential and helps us grow.
Reading Tip: Building Prototypes: What’s The Best Type For Your UX/UI Project
What are your challenges as a Product Designer?
The discovery phase is still a challenge for me. I am studying and reading a lot about this subject since it is complex when you put it into practice. It is an essential part of the design process.
If you approach it as a recipe, it seems easy. You make a persona and then map out their journey. But when you delve into the details, you realize that it is not so simple to make connections and, most importantly, not let your personal views and opinions influence the process.
It requires a lot of knowledge and improvement, and I won't lie, I still have some difficulty in this area.
What tips do you have for those transitioning to Product Design?
Firstly, let me share my experience. When I began researching Product Design, I was overloaded with information.
So, first, be patient. This is crucial since you may get so overwhelmed in the beginning that you won't even start.
I advise taking a course, such as the MID program, where you can deliver a case study and present it to a company. This is a good way to open up the possibility of getting your first job as a Product Designer.
And in this regard, the MID program is excellent. You have an exercise at each level that becomes a project for your portfolio. So, as you progress through the levels, you will have several cases in your portfolio. Unlike other schools, where you only have one case at the end of the course.
Another tip is to look for a mentor. This is where the MID program provides another benefit: you'll have guidance from our mentors during live classes and through our Community.
Our Community also provides contact with other students from different levels, which is a great advantage as many of our students refer others to job positions.
I recommend analyzing your own personal strengths and weaknesses to improve what you need to learn and practice.
These are my tips for those who want to transition to Product Design.
Reading Tip: 11 Reasons that Make the MID an Incredible UX/Product Design Program
What are your plans for the future?
One of my biggest goals is to have an international experience. In fact, I have already been planning for it.
This was one of the reasons why I joined the MID. To have the opportunity to receive feedback from designers who are in the international market and learn from them.
I speak fluent Spanish, but I am still studying English. Because I am fluent in Spanish, I also consider the possibility of a professional experience in Latin America, like Chile, which is growing in this sense.
So, this is where I'm at now. I'm embracing this opportunity with Itau, where I work on really cool projects while making progress with my portfolio.
I am documenting everything to build a complete project, always following your tips. Because making a UX portfolio is demanding. I have been doing all this to prepare myself for the next opportunity!
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