Breaking Into Design
A guided path from "I want to work in design" to your first application — roles, foundational skills, tools, projects, portfolio, critique, mentorship, and the job search itself.
By the end of this path, you'll be able to
- Identify which design role and track actually fits your background and goals
- Build the foundational skills and a starter project worth putting in a portfolio
- Put together a portfolio that shows real process, not just polished screens
- Get real feedback on your work before you apply anywhere
- Run a focused, realistic job search instead of applying everywhere at once
1
Understanding Design Roles
Product, UX, UI, research, visual — what each actually means day to day.
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2
Choosing Your Direction
Picking a starting focus without over-committing too early.
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Practice
3
Foundational Skills
The core skills every design role shares.
4
Learning the Tools
Getting comfortable with the software the job actually runs on.
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Watch
5
Creating Projects
Building real work when you don't have real client work yet.
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6
Building a Portfolio
Presenting your process, not just final screens.
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7
Getting Critique
Why feedback from other designers changes your work faster than practicing alone.
8
Working with Mentors
What a mentor can (and can't) do for you.
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9
Preparing for Interviews
Portfolio walkthroughs, whiteboard challenges, and take-homes.
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10
Finding Jobs
Where to look, and how to read a job post accurately.
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