Flipping the coin - transitioning to a career focussing on UX.

The following is from a LinkedIn post that I made to highlight that I'm now focussing on mainly UX work rather than programming and development...

Those who know me know I’ve been unhappy for a while.

Unhappiness isn’t one big emotion – it’s a mix of fatigue, burnout, confusion, and lack of direction. For me, a lot of that has come from my work. When you hang so much of your identity on what you do – and what you do stops bringing you joy – it’s easy to feel completely untethered.

The passion I once had for development – especially game development – just isn’t there anymore. I still admire the incredible creativity and technical skill of those who build games, but I no longer feel the drive to build them myself. That’s left me frustrated and asking: what now? What am I?

Start over in something totally different? Landscaping? (No thanks, too much dirt) Accountancy? (Yawn) Investment banker? (Eww)

And with a family and bills to pay, you can’t just hit pause and reinvent yourself overnight.

The real issue: I don’t code because I love it. I code because I can. It’s been a tool to get to the parts of my work I do love: design and the creative process.

I’ve never been “just a programmer.” I’m a creative who happens to understand the technical side. And I’m going to lean more into the creative side of things.

So, I’m making a change. I’m moving away from programming and into UX and product design. Not only does it feel like a natural transition, but it opens doors to industries and products I’ve been locked out of for years.

I’m also bringing all my technical knowledge with me. Modern product design often has to account for technical constraints – there are even specific roles like UX Technicians – so while I’m stepping away from coding, I’m carrying forward a wealth of technical insight and hands-on development experience.

And it’s not just the technical side. I’m bringing years of soft skills too – leadership, presentation, and public speaking. Product design isn’t just about good ideas; it’s about communicating and defending them. Those skills will be every bit as valuable in this next chapter.

I’m not naïve – I know I need to earn the title of UX designer. That’s why I’m working towards UX accreditation with the UX Design Institute, while building personal projects, seeking mentorship, and looking for real-world experience.

Which is where you – yes, you (and by the way, you look lovely today) – might come in.

If you run a studio or design agency and could use someone with 15+ years of building, designing, and scoping digital products – someone eager to learn, contribute, and trade experience for insight – let’s talk.

I also want to expand my network to connect with more people in UX and digital product design - so if that's you, feel free to connect!

And that’s it – my “big” LinkedIn post. Thanks for reading this far, I really do appreciate it.

Russ x