My journey as a digital product designer

Have you ever thought about the theory of design, the principles that govern our decision-making processes, and the structure of everyday activities? If not, you may be a user of an unbroken design.

Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Chukwuma Chukwunonso Victor, and I work as a product designer. Curious about how I ended up in this field? Join me on a journey through time as we explore my flashback together. No need for virtual reality glasses, just relax your mind and let’s dive in! LOL, let’s get started.

Date unknown, year 2005:

I can’t recall the exact details, but as a young child, I had no concept of design and how it would influenced my actions. I would often disassemble toys passed down from my sister to my brother and then to me. My mom jokingly referred to me as the “destroyer.” In my defense, I was merely curious about the mechanisms that made dolls talk and toy cars move with wheels. However, it was mostly innocent destruction.

Date unknown, year 2007:

Continuing on my journey through time, I had developed a reputation for breaking toys 😁. However, at this stage, I had progressed to a new phase of disassembling and reassembling. I was no longer destructive but rather interested in understanding how things worked and how to fix them. Admittedly, I still had to break some things to accomplish this.

Date unknown, year 2012:

I continued my quest to fix things, and something exciting happened. I played my very first video game. A friend of mine had purchased a SEGA game, and I eagerly awaited the setup process with so much excitement on my face. Finally, it was ready, and I was handed the gamepad for the first time ever holding a gamepad, my thoughts “how am I supposed to hold this what dose these buttons mean” as I wonder how to navigate its buttons. This was a new level of exploration for me. I wanted to understand the “why” and the “how.” I received an explanation of the controls and began relating them to my experiences playing mobile games like PES or Spiderman vs. Batman on a friend’s phone. Although the graphics was disappointing, but it looked impressive to me, having never played PES on a PlayStation before. It was an exciting time.

“Everyone experiences design in different ways.”

Date unknown, year 2016:

At this point, I finally understood that some things are better left as they are, as long as they function perfectly and serve their intended purpose. With this realization, I decided to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. I was fascinated by the design of engines and the theories underlying the design of each machine part. However, during my studies, we focused mostly on theoretical aspects, as I lacked a laptop and the ability to use design software.

Date unknown, year 2020–2021:

A year ago, I acquired a laptop just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Stuck at home with limited movement, I felt lost until my mom paid for me to learn CAD design at a tech school. This marked the official beginning of my design journey. I gained extensive knowledge and learned the principles of engineering drawing. I also acquired proficiency in software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and ArchiCAD. Simultaneously, I began teaching other students while securing gigs for myself.

One fateful day, I ventured to another section of the school where students were learning programming and digital graphics design. The sight of what could be achieved with Photoshop captured my attention. When I returned home, I started watching YouTube videos and realized the limitless creative possibilities offered by digital design. The next day, I obtained the software from one of the students and began teaching myself how to use it. I got into designing digital ads, photo manipulation, and creating captivating cover images. I honed my skills, started landing gigs and contract jobs, and received referrals from satisfied clients. Of course, there were a few clients who weren’t entirely satisfied with my work.

Date unknown, year 2022 — present:

After a while, I wanted to do something more significant, something that would make a lasting impact on the digital ecosystem. One day, while watching YouTube to stay updated on graphic design trends, I stumbled upon a video about UI/UX design. I played the video, and that choice led me to become a product designer today.

Fast forward, I joined online boot camps, downloaded PDF courses, and enrolled in free online courses taught by professionals. I expanded my knowledge of design, user research, design principles, research methodologies, grids, typography, color theory, and design tools. I started applying for internships, although it was challenging to secure one without prior experience. To overcome this, I began volunteering to assist with research, document design processes, and create designs for growing startups. This decision proved fruitful, as I gained valuable work experience, received tokens of appreciation, and even secured a contract-based position at one of the startups. Since then, it has been a blissful journey.

Skip forward to the present, and I find myself designing for web3. I continue to learn and volunteer for open-source projects, as they have been the foundation of my growth as a product designer. As a wise senior designer once said to me,

“Help a lot of people get what they want, and you would get everything you want. And if, after helping others, you still haven’t achieved your goals, then you simply haven’t helped enough people.”

Thank you for joining me on this journey. That’s the story of how I arrived at where I am today.