Breaking Into Tech Design: Practical Steps to Build a Career That Lasts – by Obinna Ezeofor

For many people in Africa’s fast-growing tech ecosystem, design feels like an exciting but intimidating field. There’s endless talk of UX, UI, product flows, and user research but very little clarity on what it really takes to get started and sustain a career. Too often, beginners jump in without direction, chasing tools and trends instead of building a clear path.
I’ve walked that journey myself, starting outside the design space and gradually transitioning into it. What helped me wasn’t luck; it was a series of deliberate moves that anyone can replicate. In this article, I’ll share the steps I took and the lessons I learned along the way.

Master the basics and build the right mindset

The most important step is to start with a strong foundation. Before you worry about advanced software or trendy prototypes, take time to understand the basics of design principles, user psychology, and problem-solving. Design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about function, accessibility, and trust.
I approached this stage with humility, reminding myself that I wasn’t just learning tools; I was learning how to think like a designer. Instead of rushing, I focused on fundamentals: typography, color, layout, and usability. With a problem-solving mindset, you’ll quickly see that design is less about decoration and more about creating clarity for people.

Learn from others and find mentors

One mistake beginners make is trying to do everything in isolation. In my experience, the fastest growth came from seeking mentorship and collaborating with others. A mentor won’t give you shortcuts, but they will save you from unnecessary mistakes especially if you need to be exposed to the realities of design in Africa’s context.
The process of learning in public, through questions, feedback, and critique, accelerated my progress in ways no tutorial ever could. That’s why I believe shared learning spaces matter.

Show your work, even when it’s not perfect

Another breakthrough came when I stopped waiting for “perfect” projects to share. In design, growth is visible only when you start applying what you know. My early prototypes were rough, but by publishing them, I attracted feedback and opportunities.
You don’t need to wait until you land a job to start showing your skills. Redesign existing apps, create mock solutions for common problems, or share case studies that explain your thinking process. Employers and clients don’t just want to see polished screens; they want to see how you approach a problem.
By documenting my design process: sketches, decisions, even mistakes, I signaled that I was serious about learning. Over time, those public projects became my portfolio, opening doors I could never have accessed by keeping everything private.

Sustain growth with a long-term mindset

Breaking into design isn’t just about getting your first role, it’s about staying relevant as the field evolves. Design trends change quickly, and tools that feel cutting-edge today may be outdated tomorrow. That’s why I treat learning as a continuous process, not a one-time achievement.
Make it a habit to revisit fundamentals while exploring new areas like design systems, accessibility, and AI-assisted design tools. These aren’t just buzzwords, they shape how products are built and how users experience them so don’t ignore them. Equally, never lose sight of the human side of design. Algorithms can optimize, but empathy is what creates trust. Keep asking yourself: “Who am I designing for, and what problem am I solving for them?”
Looking back, the steps that helped me transition were not shortcuts but habits. Learn to build solid foundations, seek mentorship, share projects, and stay curious and you’ll build a career that will stand the test of time.

Later this year, I’ll be speaking at a webinar hosted by TechSpecialist Consulting Ltd titled “Breaking into Tech Design”, scheduled for November 28, 2023. It will focus on practical UX/UI design, usability testing, and even a live prototyping demo to show how design decisions shape user behavior. Opportunities like this are a chance to learn the same way I did: by engaging with others and seeing real problems solved in real time.

Obinna Ezeofor is a UX/UI Designer and Design Strategist with extensive experience leading the development of innovative digital products, mentoring emerging designers, and aligning user needs with business objectives. He is skilled in creating intuitive, accessible, and high-impact solutions across diverse industries, including SaaS, government, and startups. Through his expertise, Obinna’s work with startups and small businesses has consistently demonstrated measurable improvements in customer satisfaction and business performance, achieved through strategic enhancements in navigation, product categorization, and checkout processes.