Developers and designers have distinct working and thinking approaches. The following issues may have contributed to the mentioned frustrations of the frontend developer.

1. Lack of Communication: If designers do not adequately explain their decisions or if developers are not adequately informed about the design process, misunderstandings and frustrations can arise.
2. Different Perspectives: Designers and developers often have different approaches and priorities. Design can be seen as aesthetic and functional, while developers may think more technically and practically. These differing perspectives can lead to conflicts, especially if collaboration is not sufficiently encouraged.
3. Insufficient Knowledge: The frontend developer might lack a basic understanding of the designer’s work, or vice versa. This can result in both parties feeling misunderstood and their work not being sufficiently appreciated.
4. Lack of Inclusion: Developers might feel that their concerns or ideas are not adequately considered in the design process. If they feel that design decisions are made without their involvement, it can lead to frustrations.

Considering these potential causes is important to better understand the situation and take appropriate measures to improve collaboration and communication.

Designers are often sought after by various departments within a company due to the need for design across many types of media. This is where the struggle begins for some designers:

1. Too Many Tasks: Other departments pile on their requests alongside the designer’s daily business.
2. Lack of Priorities: Designers are often hired for specific roles (e.g., UI or UX design) to support the product team. However, they are also expected to assist marketing and HR. What takes priority, and what truly falls under their responsibilities?
3. Role Confusion: Not every designer wants to create print materials, design flyers, or craft job postings. Technically, these tasks do not align with the role description of a product designer (UX/UI). This often leads to internal conflicts.

These points are frequently compounded by poor briefings and processes. Additionally, not everyone understands how a designer works, which can lead to further frustration culminating in conflicts.

The UX designer faces challenges arising from undefined role boundaries, limited resources, high work pressure, lack of prioritization, communication issues, and an uneven distribution of tasks.

Possible solutions for this issue could include:

1. Clear Role Definition: Clearly define the UX designer’s role and responsibilities to reduce ambiguity and task overlap.
2. Resource Allocation: Provide adequate resources and support to prevent overload and enhance productivity.
3. Effective Time Management: Develop strategies to manage tight schedules and deadlines more efficiently.
4. Priority Setting: Establish clear priorities and manage new requirements effectively to avoid being pulled in multiple directions.
5. Enhanced Communication: Foster better communication between teams to ensure timely sharing of project details and changes.
6. Balanced Workload: Establish a more balanced workload distribution strategy, allowing the UX designer to work effectively without undue pressure.

By implementing these solutions, the UX designer can navigate their challenges more effectively and improve their overall work experience.

Language is the bridge between two individuals. When one doesn’t speak the same language or use the same vocabulary, there can be no bridge. Understanding doesn’t occur. This leads to misunderstandings and conflicts.

Solutions to assist the PO could be:

1. Stakeholder Workshops: Conduct workshops or presentations tailored to stakeholders, educating them on the fundamental principles and benefits of the UX approach. Provide concrete examples of how user feedback has positively impacted previous projects.
2. Engagement and Involvement: Encourage stakeholders to actively participate in user testing sessions or workshops, allowing them to directly witness the user-centered design process in action. This hands-on experience can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for user feedback.
3. Educational Resources: Offer stakeholders resources like articles, videos, or webinars that delve into the significance of user feedback in enhancing product success. These resources can serve as supplementary learning tools.
4. Effective Communication Channels: Establish clear communication channels dedicated to conveying the importance of user feedback and UX principles. Regularly share success stories and user-centric design outcomes to reinforce the value of these practices.

By implementing these strategies, it can help bridge the understanding gap and enhance stakeholder appreciation for the UX approach, fostering more effective collaboration and decision-making.

These challenges in the design process can lead to significant conflicts and a lot of frustration. This is a problem that is solvable with today’s tools but needs to be addressed.

Possible solutions:

1. Communication: It’s crucial to openly discuss the frustration and confusion. Since people have different approaches and ways of working, finding a common ground that alleviates concerns is essential.
2. Uncover How the Problem Arises: Examine the root causes of the problem to better understand its origin and identify areas for improvement.
3. Seek Solutions and Propose to the Team: Collaboratively search for solutions and present them to the team for consideration.

By implementing these steps, the team can work together to address and overcome the challenges, fostering a more productive and harmonious design process.

I’m happy to provide my detailed CV upon request. Here, I’d like to showcase 5 selected career milestones.

2015 – 2017: 
UX Designer @ Valtech Agencie, former Valtech GmbH
Development of UX and design concepts for Websites, Platforms and Apps.

Dec. 2018 – Oct. 2019
Collaboration with Boston Consulting Group and Krauss Maffei
Role: Freelance UX/UI Designer
Performing all aspects of UI and UX Design: Wireframing, Prototyping, UI Design, Logo Design. Read more in my portfolio.

Aug. 2020 – Nov. 2020
Collaboration with Amorelie / ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE
Role: Freelance UX/UI Designer
Launch of a B2C platform for female pleasurement. My task as UX/UI consultant was to develop an appealing UX and UI concept that gives the main target group positive feelings in a negatively occupied industry. Read more in the portfolio.

Aug. 2022 – June 2023
Collaboration with allsafe
Role: UX Consultant & Mentor
Consulting, organization and moderation of workshops, mentoring, support of the team

Sep.2023 – Feb. 2023
Lecturer at FOM
Focus: Usability / Web Design / Web Analytics

1. Meta Level

• understand complex issues quickly
• present complicated things in a simple way
• control myself well (meta-level)
• recognize large connections
• distinguish important from unimportant
• get to the bottom of things
• observe and interpret the behavior of others

2. Empathy

• put myself in the shoes of others
• understand why other people do things
• listen well
• have a good gut feeling when making decisions
• recognize the emotional side in addition to the
• rational side
• enable a change of perspective to the other
• person’s point of view

3. People Skills

• Assess people very quickly
• recognize (mis)moods in others
• pay attention to details
• feel for other people
• observe situations and behavior very closely
• recognize the strengths of others very quickly
• unmask lies

2009 – 2013:

Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of
Design, Communication Design course, Subject class:
Interdisciplinary Design

2017 – 2020/21:

Apollo, University of Health Management
Course of studies: Applied Psychology

Achievement #1:
I conceptualized, designed, and self-financed my own product. As a prototype, I developed 500 card sets (Brand: Seelenkonferenz) and launched them into the market. A well-known influencer discovered this product in a small store in Munich in 2021 and featured it on her podcast independently. Within one month, I sold all the card sets.

Achievement #2:
In my first year of freelancing, I collaborated with Boston Consulting Group and Krauss Maffei to establish the startup Polymer. In this project, I was the sole designer responsible for brand design, the initial software setup, and the UX process.