From the Apple Store to Design Systems: My Career Journey
From the Mall to Apple
Reflecting on my career trajectory, the initiation point was an unexpected twist during my first year of college. As financial aid dwindled, the urgency to secure a job became paramount. A visit to the nearby mall, a couple of applications later, and I found myself with job offers from Cinnabon and the Apple Store. Despite never having used a Mac before, the allure of specializing in computers over pastries fueled my decision.
The pivotal moment transpired when I secured an internship at Infinite Loop, overcoming rejection thrice. Diligence paid off, and a full-time job offer from Apple soon followed. My foray into product design coincided with the historic launch of the first iPhone on the Apple Online Store. While the aroma of cinnamon rolls is enticing, kickstarting my design career at Apple undoubtedly stands as the best decision I ever made.
βStarting my design career at an Apple Store was the best decision I ever made.β
Passion for Design Systems: Unveiling the Mechanics
In the realm of design systems, my intrigue lies in unraveling the intricacies of how things operate. The sight of mechanics and moving parts sparks excitement within me. Being inherently curious and an explorer, delving into the βhowβ of all things serves as a perpetual motivation.
The challenge of scaling systems, enhancing operational efficiency, and simplifying intricate problems provides the ideal landscape for learning and building. Questions like βHow is that made?β or βHow can it be done in an accessible, inclusive way?β act as perpetual motivators, encouraging me to remix and experiment with my interpretations. Even when I believe Iβve mastered a concept, continual discovery of opportunities for refinement and refactoring keeps the journey invigorating.
Guidance for Aspiring Design System Enthusiasts
Lean In: Embrace the Adventure
For those venturing into the realm of design systems, my advice is to lean in further. If curiosity about design systems already exists, amplify it. Embark on a captivating adventure by exploring an open-source library. Dive into the layers, styles, tokens, and composition of components without hesitation. Engage with design system designers β weβre a friendly bunch. Share your discoveries, ask questions, and if possible, contribute to a design system. Start small, make incremental contributions, and enjoy the learning process alongside your teammates.
Start Small: Build Brick by Brick
Initiate your design system journey by starting small. Construct your understanding brick by brick and allocate time for iterative returns. Building a single component may seem modest, but it often sparks numerous invaluable conversations and learning opportunities. Experiencing the entire lifecycle of a componentβs development informs subsequent endeavors and saves time in the long run. This approach also allows you to tailor design systems iteratively to align with your team, culture, and customer needs.
Find Support: Embrace Mentorship
The significance of having mentors in your design system exploration cannot be overstated. Personally, Iβm an advocate for both being mentored and mentoring others. Design mentors have played a pivotal role in sustaining my curiosity, fostering optimism, and expanding my skill set. During challenging moments, they provide a neutral perspective and grounding, offering shelter and firm footing. When uncertainty looms, seeking the advice of mentors has proven immensely valuable.
Embark on your design system journey with enthusiasm, starting small and leaning on mentorship for guidance. The world of design systems is a continuous exploration, and the learning process is as enriching as the outcomes.
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Authored by: [Niamh]
This collaborative research-driven exploration required [1] day of dedication and [2 to 3] hours of meticulous crafting.
Connect with me on Twitter: [@niamh_dcreator]
Thank you for your interest.
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