59. Finding a Meaningful UX Career With Justin Dauer

Episode 59
1:03:26

I got a chance to talk with Justin Dauer about some core concepts from his new book, “In Fulfillment.” We discuss the intersection of personal growth and UX design, and how these aspects influence our professional journey.

What is the key to a truly fulfilling design career?

This week, I talk with designer, speaker, and author of the new book, In Fulfillment: A Designer’s Journey, Justin Dauer about what he believes is the heart and soul of UX design.

Justin’s insights both profound and inspiring. His journey, deeply rooted in Chicago, reflects a passion for blending design with the digital world, creating a unique perspective on UX design.

We explored themes from his latest book, discussing the importance of finding fulfillment in our careers and the critical role culture plays in the design process. Justin shared compelling stories and practical advice, emphasizing the need for empathy, humility, and meaningful engagement in design work.

His approach to UX goes beyond the surface, diving into the human elements that make design genuinely impactful. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about UX and seeking to make their mark in this dynamic field.

In our interview, Justin emphasized the importance of aligning our personal values with our professional lives. We discussed how this alignment fosters a more meaningful and impactful career. Our conversation also highlighted the significance of narrative in design, encouraging us to craft and leverage our personal stories to create a unique professional identity.

Topics:
• 09:11 – Why do we want to be designers?
• 13:30 – Find a tool or framework to help you find these questions
• 14:16 – Pause with intent
• 15:44 – “Make Meaningful Work” platform
• 15:49 – Leverage your story to develop your own personal narrative
• 16:01 – Find a framework to help
• 18:43 – Create your own trading card that represents you
• 21:06 – Look at the company’s website to determine if this company fits your values
• 21:59 – Red flags for job postings
• 25:19 – You can’t help your team if you’re not helping yourself first
• 26:42 – The humility of UX design
• 34:37 – Getting objective feedback
• 44:02 – Culture is also bottom up

Helpful Links:
• anomalibydesign.com
• in-fulfillment.com
• Connect with Justin on LinkedIn


Justin Dauer
Designer / Author / Speaker

About Justin

Justin Dauer is an internationally renowned design leader, author, and speaker from Chicago. You’ll find him often engaging with the AIGA’s speaking events, interviewed in Forbes magazine and Medium’s “Forge” publication, and penning articles for Aquent, CEO World Magazine, and A List Apart. He speaks internationally on culture and design, including keynotes at the UXPA International conference, Midwest UX, and St. Louis Design Week. Justin is also the writer of the celebrated book “Creative Culture,” founder of design leadership consultancy Anomali by Design, and a former VP of Design at CVS Health.


Support Our Sponsors

This week’s episode is brought to you by Mento Design Academy.

It’s not just about learning UX design; it’s about discovering your unique path in it. Their approach is different – it’s personal, it’s tailored to you. They don’t just teach; they inspire students to use their passions as a driving force in their learning. And that is something I’ve experienced firsthand as a mentor.

I’ve been fortunate enough to guide students who are exploring concepts they’re truly passionate about. It’s not just about following a curriculum; it’s about shaping that curriculum around what excites each student. This approach emphasizes not just knowledge, but a deep love for the discipline. Seeing my mentees grow, apply their passions, and craft portfolios that are genuinely ‘them’ has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

So, if you’re looking for a UX course that’s as unique as you are, check out Mento Design Academy. head on over to beyonduxdesign.com/mento head on over to beyonduxdesign.com/mento and Just for my listeners, use the promo code BEYONDUX200 to get $200 off the course.

Join Mento and let your passions lead your learning journey.


This Week’s Audio Book

Check out You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life by Eleanor Roosevelt.

In You Learn by Living, Eleanor Roosevelt, yes that Eleanor Roosevelt, presents a compelling guide to personal development and societal contribution. Drawing from her rich life experiences, she outlines eleven key principles, including embracing continuous learning, overcoming fear, wise time management, achieving maturity, and engaging in civic responsibilities. Roosevelt advocates for the importance of individuality, effective leadership, and community service, offering timeless wisdom on how to live a purposeful and fulfilled life. It’s amazing how this book holds up over 100 years after it was written.



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Meet your host

Jeremy Miller

Designer // Host // Mentor

I’m Jeremy. I’m a product designer from New Orleans. Here are some things I want you to know about me:

But most importantly, I know you can’t build great software without great relationships.

So join me here and learn about how to build truly great software.

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