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: @uxbyvale Support the Freelance Blueprint:

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:00 About Valeria

02:36 Valeria's Web Design Course

04:58 Transition from Architecture to UX Design

07:52 Finding out about UX Design

11:46 Difficulties at the First UX Design Job

13:08 Creating UI Design in Photoshop

14:14 Working for a Parking App

17:42 Getting a job on Tinder

20:36 Working for a Startup

25:18 Transitioning from a Permanent Job to Freelancing

28:40 Miscommunication in a Business Relationship

37:31 Not having a Website as a Freelancer

38:54 What Makes a Good Portfolio

42:42 How to Stand Out in a Competitive Field

45:30 Tips for Junior UX Designers to Get Started

48:50 Having a Business Mindset

50:49 Building a Social Media Presence

54:36 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions

56:58 The Reason Behind the Freelance Blueprint Podcast

59:22 Outro