NextGroup, LLC’s Post

Solving problems is what we do. It's so important to frame any design effort from the perspective of the right problem statement.

🌟 Exciting Milestone! 🌟 I'm thrilled to share that I've just published my first article on Medium! 🎉 This is a significant step for me as a professional, and I’m excited to start sharing my knowledge and helping others achieve their goals. In my article, "Breaking into Design: How to Get Your First Job in Design," I offer valuable tips and strategies for beginners on how to find their first job or project in the design field. I cover: - Where to find your first project - The importance of reaching out to small businesses - The role of mentorship in early career development - Handling rejections and staying motivated - Promoting yourself effectively If you're starting your journey in design or looking for some practical advice to land your first job, I hope you find this article helpful! Thank you for your support, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts! 😊 #Design #UXDesign #CareerAdvice #FirstJob #Mentorship #Medium

Surprised by my own Design Journey- From Panic Attack to Research Paper Presentation 8 months ago, I started my design career at MIT ADT University. Hands shaking, heart pounding, I was terrified I'd be the least experienced person in the room. What if I felt like dropping out? Yet today, those fears seem distant. Even with a heavy workload, I'm so glad I stuck with it. This gratitude comes from an amazing opportunity: presenting my first research paper at the CREATIVE 24 conference organized by RSDD, Sangeet Bhavana, Viswa bharati- Santiniketan. The offer came while I was on a family vacation in Azerbaijan, with tight deadlines looming. I said yes, then panicked. I'd never written a paper before! Luckily, the deadlines were extended, giving me some breathing room. But even with the extra time, the writing process triggered a full-blown panic attack. One day before the final submission, I called my professor, almost begging to back out. Somehow, I pushed through and finished the paper. Relief washed over me, but the presentation still loomed. With just one day left, I scraped my planned slides and decided to go with a verbal presentation instead. On the day of the conference, I was surprisingly calm... until 30 minutes before. Chills, pacing – then, just like that, it passed. Having the right people by my side made all the difference. I delivered my presentation, and honestly, I think it went well. This day I realized what am I capable of and how I need a little push to do that which was provided by my professor Dr Rikimi Madhukaillya , I am filled with immense gratitude and renewed sense of confidence in myself, This experience showed me what I'm truly capable of. To anyone struggling with fear like I did: Don't focus on perfect decisions, focus on taking action. Seek out the right mentors, like Dr Rikimi Madhukaillya was for me. Be prepared, and when opportunity knocks, answer with confidence.

2020: Completed my Design degree 2021: Joined Grandly as Director 2022: Worked on a few projects and started exploring more. 2023: Expanded the team and got some exciting projects 2024: Worked on more than 150 projects and continues to expand. The journey of starting the business, getting clients and hiring the right talent was full of challenges. Each passing month taught us something which helped us grow faster. One thing has been consistent throughout, I never gave up. No matter what, I continued giving my best. Always remember you may fail, you may face problems but never stop trying. How has your journey been? Would love to know them in the comments below!

Today, I'm taking a stroll down memory lane and reflecting on some of the highlights that have defined my career in the world of design (so far). Join me in this ride looking inward and let's celebrate the moments that make our chosen career special! Finally walking through a space I designed, especially those first few times, was magical! Engaging with things that were once only conceptual and seeing others interact with "your" space is a treat for every designer! Watching someone I've mentored learn, grow, and succeed is one of the best feelings! It's satisfying to witness their professional and personal development—tackling challenges, applying lessons, and finding their unique path. The mentor-mentee journey is a shared experience, and observing their success is the most fulfilling part of the process. For a long time I believed that those in higher positions within my job hierarchy had insights I needed to acquire for certain tasks. The moment I realized that I already possessed the essential information to thrive was powerful. This recognition boosted my confidence, allowing me to tackle challenges and leverage my knowledge and skills effectively. This newfound awareness instilled a sense of self-assurance, positioning me for success in various endeavors. I am fortunate to have developed enduring friendships with several incredible past co-workers, mentors, and colleagues. The unique nature of our shared experiences in this field has forged bonds that go beyond professional connections. These relationships have evolved into a dependable network where I can seek candid opinions and valuable insights. It's interesting to realize that my circle of friends is predominantly composed of those with ties to the design world—perhaps a testament to the meaningful connections formed through our shared passion! #designsuccess Ready to embark on your own design journey? Let's turn your creative dreams into reality together! Send me a message to start a conversation.

Advice I give to a lot of young designers who ask about starting a studio: Go work in a team of talented people so you can absorb their skills first. Not just design, absorb from Product, Engineering, Business Development, Marketing etc. Be a sponge and you'll execute better.

This is a great post. I have a wonderful story to tell for those that are struggling with prioritization of their tasks. In this day of technology we are bombarded with information and opportunities. This is great because it is easy to access information and allows us to learn from our fingertips. However this can also lead to overstimulation and anxiety if you over consume everything. The best way to avoid overconsumption and stretching yourself thin with opportunities is to sit down with yourself. You have to be honest with yourself about your intentions behind your actions and goals. This work has to be done alone. Allow yourself to get to know yourself better so that you can set standards and nonnegotiables for your time and attention. Your heart knows what you need. What is meant for you won’t be a burden. Success comes with time and patience. Be patient with yourself and base your decisions accordingly to your personal needs.

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When Curiosity meets Opportunity! Last year, I found myself contemplating how I could catalyze exponential growth and achieve 100% customer retention for every business I collaborate with as a product designer. To address this challenge, I recognized the need to elevate my skills, ensuring that I deliver my best at every touchpoint with businesses. Rather than succumb to procrastination and miss out on future opportunities, I channeled my curiosity into action and enrolled in a comprehensive training Dev and Design program with Joseph Brendan. This 16-weeks journey wasn't for the faint-hearted 😅 there were times I felt like quitting but that's wasn't an option as I had a facilitator that explains complex problems in the simplest form, it was undeniably transformative. I acquired valuable insights and honed my skills in various aspects, including: 💡 Gaining a profound understanding of design principles and best practices in the digital space. ⛏ Mastering the proper utilization of auto layout, components, and component properties to guarantee consistency while constructing robust design systems. 🗝 Exploring the application of Artificial Intelligence for an enhanced design approach, acknowledging its lasting impact in the industry. ♂ Contributing to the knowledge-sharing community by penning an article on creating a color system using material design, which was published on Medium. And much more. I am beyond excited about the prospect of applying these newly acquired skills, looking forward to working on projects that address complex problems, offering innovative design solutions. The journey has been enriching, and I am eager to contribute my enhanced expertise to create impactful design experiences. Let's connect. I am Nwakaego, your product designer. Nice to meet you. #problemsolving #productdesign #learning #upskilling #buildingconnections #buildinginpublic

One of my most useful #learnings in my career has been the realisation that people's #qualities and strengths should be viewed within the #context of the task at hand and the team they are working with. This means that a person's quality, such as 'preciseness', might be perceived as either positive or negative, depending on whether the other person finds it 'too much of a good thing' turning 'preciseness' into 'nitpickyness'. I frequently observe such dynamics, for example between design-minded individuals (e.g., Designers) and technically-minded individuals (e.g., Engineers). For example, a Designer's ability to engage in deep conceptual discussions, highly valued in the design community, might be perceived as "wishy-washy" by an Engineer who might prefer fact-based discussions. Simple example, but it shows how a quality becomes a barrier in collaborative work. Being mindful of 'qualities in context' can make one person's quality beneficial for others too. #cocreation #cocreativemindset #collaboration