Why reviews by designers? What am I hoping to accomplish? Because product designers and knowledgable and unique creatures. We spend all day long learning about our customers needs, wants, and researching ways to make their lives easier and better. We build things for purpose, and use data driven design to create best in class customer experiences. I like to think, we have knowledge in this subject matter.
I have been creating websites, products, software and all things in between for 23 years now. All for other people to benefit, and to receive a paycheck at the end of the day -hopefully! But its not always the case. This time, I’ve decided to create something for myself, where at the end of the day, I benefit, something of my own, and hopefully by the end of the day, and if I do it well, make some money from advertising, sponsorships, and writing content that will HELP people! If I do it well, I can help people with my knowledge and also create a revenue stream for myself.
I’ve also decided to start a new You Tube Channel, called ‘Reviews by Designers’. I’m so excited about this, as I’ve been wanting to get into product reviews for a long time. Having been a product designer for 20+ years now, and created everything from digital products, to tangible print products, product packaging, books, software, classes, you name it, I’ve probably designed one, or one of my designers has. That is why this channel is going to be unique, by offering an insider’s perspective.
How did this come about?
I recently spent a huge chunk of my summer working for a job that ultimately didn’t get. I wasn’t looking, but, I read an email from a recruiter who enticed me with double my pay, great stock options, hiring bonus, and a huge annual bonus. I worked for over a month on my portfolio, my resume, and a presentation they required. 70 pages later, I thought I was going to knock their socks off, and while I did, they felt it wasn’t the right fit for this position, but maybe the same position on a different team. The feedback I got on the presentation was that I didn’t put enough strategy in, and I am a major string puller! People have no idea that I’m getting them to do things for me. I’m subtle, I’m brilliant, and as one of my friends said, “she’s smarter than you”. That feedback will follow me as I’m offered to different teams. I can’t go back and do things differently though I wish I could, this one moment has made me feel unworthy. I am worthy. Talk to me for 5 minutes and you’ll know. The truth is that it is their loss at the end of the day, and if someone either won’t take the time to talk to me and judge me for themselves, then they’re nobody I’d want to work with anyway.
I’m not though. I’m killer at strategy and string pulling. I create bad ass things for people to use. I have always been a hustler at making money. Well, instead of waiting around, working for someone else, why not put my skills to good use and go out and make myself some extra money. I do it for others all day long. It’s time, I do it for myself. Let’s see if I can do affiliate marketing, but done well, not in a cheap or spammy way.
Admittedly, I am a beginner in this space, I am going to be learning, and growing. I’m open to feedback as that is how I grow at the end of the day. Feel free to post constructive feedback on how I’m doing, I want to learn and hear how I can do things better. I am going to be adding designers that I’ve worked with to help me review things, and may end up selling design related things that I think people will love.
Wish me luck, and thanks for reading!
