A Complete Guide for Aspiring Product Designers
Hey there! I’m Petra Okelola, a product designer who loves creating interfaces and experiences that truly make a difference and actually solve problems. I started my journey into UI/ UX Design less than 5 years ago, and during this time, I’ve had the privilege to work on different products, in different capacities and with incredible individuals and teams from all around the world. All of these experiences have contributed to the accelerated growth I’ve experienced in my career.
Design for me is a bit more than solving problems, it’s about making life better for real people.
Before product design, I worked across blogging, fashion, beauty, research, sales, graphic design, and community management, experiences that deepened my understanding of people, storytelling, and business. From researching competitors at a small fashion brand to addressing customer pain points, these roles shaped my user-centered approach and made my transition into product design feel natural.
I truly believe that learning is a lifelong journey, every product and team teaches me something new. However, along my journey I’ve picked up some valuable lessons that I’d love to share especially with self-taught designers. So here I am, stepping out of my comfort zone, beating imposter syndrome, and sharing this guide in hopes that it can help at least one designer on their journey!
This is the guide I wish I had, and I hope you find it helpful!
This guide is designed as a comprehensive roadmap for anyone looking to break into product design or enhance their existing skills. Each module builds on the previous one, but you can also jump to specific sections that interest you most.
What makes this guide different: