I Got a Job Through Tinder and Was the Only Woman On The Team | Valeria Goncharova - Freelance UX Designer

In this episode of the Freelance Blueprint, Valeria shares her journey from studying architecture to becoming a UX designer and eventually transitioning to freelancing. She discusses her passion for design and her current projects, including a web design course.Valeria also talks about her interest in fashion and graphic design, and how she discovered UX design. She shares her experiences in various UX design jobs and the challenges she faced.Valeria then explains how she moved to Italy and started freelancing, and her plans to open an agency. She talks about how miscommunication and misunderstanding led to the end of a business relationship but kick started her freelance career. She also shares how she found clients through her network and social media platforms - including Tinder. Valeria emphasizes the importance of standing out in a competitive field and offers advice for junior designers. She also discusses the benefits of collaboration in design and the value of a business mindset.Finally, Valeria shares her experience building a social media presence and the role it plays in her freelancing career.Takeaways Passion for design is a key driver in pursuing a career in UX design. Transitioning from architecture to UX design requires a shift in mindset and learning new skills. Graphic design experience can be valuable in UX design, but the two fields have different challenges. Freelancing offers flexibility and the opportunity to work on diverse projects. Clear communication is essential in business relationships to avoid misunderstandings. Freelancing offers the opportunity for greater flexibility and the potential for higher earnings. Building a strong network and online presence can help freelancers find clients and stand out in a competitive field. Collaboration and diversity in design teams can lead to better products and solutions. A business mindset can help freelancers navigate the challenges of running their own business and make strategic decisions.Find out more about Valeria:Instagram: @uxbyvaleSupport the Freelance Blueprint: Follow the podcast Leave a review Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletterhttps://mailchi.mp/19bd323f0892/sign-up-to-my-newsletter Become a sponsor - Visit freelance-blueprint.com for more information Join the Freelance Blueprint Discord Channelhttps://discord.gg/wpYWUqU8ScChapters00:00 Intro01:00 About Valeria02:36 Valeria's Web Design Course04:58 Transition from Architecture to UX Design07:52 Finding out about UX Design11:46 Difficulties at the First UX Design Job13:08 Creating UI Design in Photoshop14:14 Working for a Parking App17:42 Getting a job on Tinder20:36 Working for a Startup25:18 Transitioning from a Permanent Job to Freelancing28:40 Miscommunication in a Business Relationship37:31 Not having a Website as a Freelancer38:54 What Makes a Good Portfolio42:42 How to Stand Out in a Competitive Field45:30 Tips for Junior UX Designers to Get Started48:50 Having a Business Mindset50:49 Building a Social Media Presence54:36 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions56:58 The Reason Behind the Freelance Blueprint Podcast59:22 Outro