“I do think for the industry right now staying relevant is key”

Creative Career Conundrums is a weekly advice column from If You Could Jobs. Each week their selected panel of professionals from the creative industry answers your burning career questions to help you navigate the creative journey.

This week’s question:

“I'm a senior product designer (UX/UI) and working at a startup as the sole product designer and senior creative. I could see my career continue to grow in product design, or I could take the opportunity of a small team and flat structure to step over to brand design and creative direction. Both are awesome paths, but I feel overwhelmed in how to continue upskilling in different directions to be competitive in multiple spaces.

Should I deepen my base in fonts, brand design, etc? Or focus on staying relevant in product design strengthening my motion principles and incorporating AI tools? Where do I even find time to keep learning while I'm responsible for leadership and execution?

What skills do I invest in learning if I'm not sure where I want my career to go?”

Shanice Mears, co-founder and head of culture & communities at The Elephant Room:

​​Hey! So, firstly the fact that you are already doing so much and have choices is great. I can imagine juggling the different responsibilities you have is not easy. So be kind to yourself. I think the questions you need to ask yourself are;

What am I really enjoying doing right now? What are the things I wish I knew more about? Where am I seeing the potential to learn something new? And how does this make me feel?

The reason I think it’s a good exercise to do the above is because I think as you’re going through the transition phase and it’s important to think about what your next steps look like.

You should check out General Assembly, it has some free classes available and they specialise in tech training in coding, data and UX.

Both of the options you proposed on how to upskill are valid, but I do think for the industry right now staying relevant is key, so learning about specific tools and AI I do think will be a necessity in a few years time.

You could also check out networking events, things like London Design Festival just passed are great to find opportunities to participate in. I would always take the opportunity to upskill and think about what it is you want to specialise in as you widen your options.

I think those questions will help you to reflect on the things you’ve done really well, but still be able to self analyse on the things you want to move forward doing.

Just be really intentional and honest with yourself, assess your present and current situation and set goals that feel both long and short term.

In answering your creative career conundrums we realise that some issues need expert support, so we’ve collated a list of additional resources that can support you across things that might arise at work.

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