My journey is so similar! I have a degree in English and I started off as a UX writer, but recently transitioned into design as I didn't want to be in a niche and do more. It was great hearing from you :)
I have been contracting outside IR35 for a couple of years during pandemic. Was great actually, but much more stressful than being on a permanent role. I'm back now to permanent role just because I like the company, and I can work only 4 days a week. My goal is to go to only 3 days in a couple of years time. Work less, work better.. Enjoy free time
When I was a consulting doing work for hire I thought it was the peak. I got to bounce from client to client, sign big contracts, do a lot of work, cash large checks, etc. But then you realize most of what you do is never implemented. Yes, you got paid for it, but it was just advice, recommendations, and suggestions. Words on pages that were received, but not really read. Designs in files that were delivered, but never really deployed. There was nothing there in the end. You didn't get to make any bets, you just played with someone else's chips.
As a pro-bike, cyclist who is now disabled and in a wheelchair - Don't ride and film. I say this with all due respect and love - It's dangerous and really dumb. Especially if you're not going to wear a helmet. If you want to delete the comment, block me even, okay. But please read and take onboard what I'm saying. I don't want you being injured or worse yet killed because of a behaviour that can be stopped. I'd like to keep enjoying your work. Your bag is design and here you're talking about UX. You fundamentally understand that good design guides, leads and engages a user. It can make the journey worthwhile, captivate. Knowing your audience matters in order to achieve some of this but not all. Knowing that we have fixed attention, how we interact is critically important. Many of these same principles are at work when designing road infrastructure and road safety. Keeping things distraction free, simple and easy to follow, clear layouts to guide: You might think its'a great shot, looks cool, you're saving time riding and filming. I watched you look over your shoulder while still trying to engage with the shot (split attention), possibly not understanding what you were seeing over your shoulder (confused user, split distraction), not looking ahead for extended periods of time (disengaged), go through an intersection without looking to name just a couple of issues (improper use). Peripheral in particular is going to be an issue when riding and recording OR taking a phone call. If someone had walked out you'd of had no time to brake or swerve. If someone on a motorbike had gone through the intersection same thing. Someone in a car and opening the car door - you guessed it, same situation. If you now compound the issue where you're distracted and so is the driver, what do you think will happen? You need to be aware of the road at all times, ahead of you and in your peripheral. It's for your own safety and others. There's loads of research about this. We think we're only looking for a second but we're not. We think we're engaged in the tasks, we're not. And, even in a timed-second the situation can change rapidly. Putting you and your safety at significant risk or worse. www.roadsafetytrust.org.uk/news/top-road-safety-figures-back-open-university-led-research-into-the-dangers-of-hands-free-phone-use-while-driving - 'While hands-free mobile phone use by drivers is not illegal, a vast body of research has shown it is no safer than hand-held phone use'; 'due to the cognitive distraction it causes.' www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1369847821002436 or archive.ph/DLjmh#selection-797.897-797.1046 'mobile phone use while cycling is similar to being distracted while driving a vehicle or walking. Performing other secondary tasks (i.e., distracting behavior) while cycling will distract a portion of cyclists’ attention resources, which in turn will affect the main task of cycling.'; 'Therefore, a distracted cyclist is more likely to have a collision accident when using their phone, and the consequences of accidents can be serious.' Please - please - please. Wear a helmet. Ride undistracted. If for no other reason than you want to keep making vids and enjoying life. Huge hugs.
Contracts are NOT the same as Freelancing in the USA. Why? Freelancing is you directly with the client and you do not get any unemployment. Contract you are hired by middle company to work for the larger company and you can file for unemployment. Freelancing is totally different, it's like Gig work. And it's not the best to do tbh. You are missing more money and harder task to onboard is expected. Fulltime you get more time to onboard you are treated better. Freelancing is the worse. Don't get them confused they are 3 different things legally and functionally.
My journey is so similar! I have a degree in English and I started off as a UX writer, but recently transitioned into design as I didn't want to be in a niche and do more. It was great hearing from you :)
The video is amazing! And it comes in at the perfect timing too. Thanks a lot
I have been contracting outside IR35 for a couple of years during pandemic. Was great actually, but much more stressful than being on a permanent role. I'm back now to permanent role just because I like the company, and I can work only 4 days a week. My goal is to go to only 3 days in a couple of years time. Work less, work better.. Enjoy free time
it is totally is more stressful.
When I was a consulting doing work for hire I thought it was the peak. I got to bounce from client to client, sign big contracts, do a lot of work, cash large checks, etc. But then you realize most of what you do is never implemented. Yes, you got paid for it, but it was just advice, recommendations, and suggestions. Words on pages that were received, but not really read. Designs in files that were delivered, but never really deployed. There was nothing there in the end. You didn't get to make any bets, you just played with someone else's chips.
iconic duo!!!!
Thank you Paavan for making a video on this topic. Really enjoyed the content. :)
It would have been better if the audio was more clearer though.
Thanks for the feedback! All the mics didn't record properly on this one 😅 next time it'll be better!
As a pro-bike, cyclist who is now disabled and in a wheelchair - Don't ride and film. I say this with all due respect and love - It's dangerous and really dumb. Especially if you're not going to wear a helmet. If you want to delete the comment, block me even, okay. But please read and take onboard what I'm saying. I don't want you being injured or worse yet killed because of a behaviour that can be stopped. I'd like to keep enjoying your work.
Your bag is design and here you're talking about UX. You fundamentally understand that good design guides, leads and engages a user. It can make the journey worthwhile, captivate. Knowing your audience matters in order to achieve some of this but not all. Knowing that we have fixed attention, how we interact is critically important. Many of these same principles are at work when designing road infrastructure and road safety. Keeping things distraction free, simple and easy to follow, clear layouts to guide:
You might think its'a great shot, looks cool, you're saving time riding and filming. I watched you look over your shoulder while still trying to engage with the shot (split attention), possibly not understanding what you were seeing over your shoulder (confused user, split distraction), not looking ahead for extended periods of time (disengaged), go through an intersection without looking to name just a couple of issues (improper use).
Peripheral in particular is going to be an issue when riding and recording OR taking a phone call. If someone had walked out you'd of had no time to brake or swerve. If someone on a motorbike had gone through the intersection same thing. Someone in a car and opening the car door - you guessed it, same situation. If you now compound the issue where you're distracted and so is the driver, what do you think will happen?
You need to be aware of the road at all times, ahead of you and in your peripheral. It's for your own safety and others.
There's loads of research about this. We think we're only looking for a second but we're not. We think we're engaged in the tasks, we're not. And, even in a timed-second the situation can change rapidly. Putting you and your safety at significant risk or worse.
www.roadsafetytrust.org.uk/news/top-road-safety-figures-back-open-university-led-research-into-the-dangers-of-hands-free-phone-use-while-driving - 'While hands-free mobile phone use by drivers is not illegal, a vast body of research has shown it is no safer than hand-held phone use'; 'due to the cognitive distraction it causes.'
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1369847821002436 or archive.ph/DLjmh#selection-797.897-797.1046 'mobile phone use while cycling is similar to being distracted while driving a vehicle or walking. Performing other secondary tasks (i.e., distracting behavior) while cycling will distract a portion of cyclists’ attention resources, which in turn will affect the main task of cycling.'; 'Therefore, a distracted cyclist is more likely to have a collision accident when using their phone, and the consequences of accidents can be serious.'
Please - please - please. Wear a helmet. Ride undistracted. If for no other reason than you want to keep making vids and enjoying life. Huge hugs.
This is helpful 😊 I’d recommend not speeding up the video though?
You're so right! Noted for the future
Contracts are NOT the same as Freelancing in the USA. Why? Freelancing is you directly with the client and you do not get any unemployment. Contract you are hired by middle company to work for the larger company and you can file for unemployment. Freelancing is totally different, it's like Gig work. And it's not the best to do tbh. You are missing more money and harder task to onboard is expected. Fulltime you get more time to onboard you are treated better. Freelancing is the worse. Don't get them confused they are 3 different things legally and functionally.
hiya, what is the London Design Community that you are part of?
I'll drop you a message!