How can you keep your product design skills current in a fast-changing industry?

1 Follow industry leaders

One of the best ways to learn from the experts and get inspired by their work is to follow industry leaders on social media, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, and online platforms. You can find out what they are working on, what challenges they face, what tips and tricks they share, and what feedback they receive. You can also engage with them and ask questions, share your opinions, and network with other product designers. Some examples of industry leaders you can follow are Julie Zhuo, Don Norman, Jared Spool, Irene Au, and Jake Knapp.

3 Join communities and events

A great way to stay connected and informed about the product design industry is to join communities and events that bring together product designers from different backgrounds and levels of experience. You can join online forums, groups, chats, and networks that allow you to exchange ideas, ask for advice, share your work, and get feedback from other product designers. You can also attend online or offline events, such as webinars, workshops, conferences, meetups, and hackathons, that offer you the opportunity to learn new skills, discover new trends, and network with potential collaborators and employers.

4 Work on personal projects

One of the most effective ways to keep your product design skills current is to work on personal projects that challenge you and allow you to explore your creativity and curiosity. You can work on projects that solve a problem you face, address a need you have, or express a passion you have. You can also work on projects that involve new technologies, tools, or methods that you want to learn or improve. Working on personal projects can help you build your portfolio, showcase your skills, and demonstrate your value as a product designer.

5 Seek feedback and mentorship

Finally, one of the best ways to keep your product design skills current is to seek feedback and mentorship from others who can help you grow and improve as a product designer. You can seek feedback from your peers, clients, users, or experts who can give you constructive and honest opinions on your work, strengths, and areas of improvement. You can also seek mentorship from experienced and successful product designers who can guide you, coach you, and support you in your career development. You can find mentors on platforms like MentorCruise, Designlab, and ADPList.