Will you use 'The Canvas Strategy'?! Who do you want to reach out to and work for?! 🥳Let us know in the comments below! 👇 Also check out our video on how to get a UX Design job WITHOUT a portfolio here: 📺 kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZqF91Jh8prqXnrw.html

@sinelalita7159

4 жыл бұрын

That video, /UX Design: How to get a job WITHOUT a portfolio/ a year ago, inspired me so much as a beginner It. helped me land my current job which been about a year now, AND AGAIN! this current video help boost me more! 🙆🏻‍♀️ Thank you so much for your insight! 🍑

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sine! We are very happy to help and inspire!

@sikandersingh286

11 ай бұрын

This is very good advice which will work in other fields too, very straightforward, Thank you

As a junior I would not mind doing free but delicate designs to fill up my portfolio, but I heard from a mentor that unsolicited designs can be dangerous and not welcomed. Part of the reason is we do not know the real context and constraint of the design we want to improve, and pointing out their design simply has flaws and needs improvement is just not thoughtful. So I am actually a bit skeptical about this canvas approach... I only did free designs for companies who would like applicants to take a design challenge and even invested several days for each one, to produce what I would call semi real-world projects. However after filling up my portfolio with these projects, finally I got my first ideal UX designer offer by throwing a cold email that said hey, please look at my resume, which AJ&Smart just criticized...

@Favoxhille

3 жыл бұрын

I think it's about the context.. in my opinion using the canvas strategy can be beneficial for a senior/middleweight designer who wants to approach a big brand and wants to hit the ground running showcasing his expertise in problem solving and design thinking, but otherwise I agree that doing redesigns as a first point contact can be a shot in the dark and there's basically no guarantee that it will be received positevely.

@melissamarquez4333

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I think the scenario you just described is more realistic and common for individuals.

@etmargallo

3 жыл бұрын

The canvas strategy worked for me twice ... TWICE. The normal application and interview got me in the door, but I just got edged out each time at the very end. You are correct, this approach may not be welcome at all, but, I think if you do research and provide some sample free work on how to improve their product/service, I notice you suddenly turn the tables and your interview turns into a presentation instead. And then it becomes less of an interrogation, and more of a conversation piece.

@janieliu9713

3 жыл бұрын

@@etmargallo As earlier replies in this thread mentioned, the canvas strategy works for seniors who clearly know which direction the business goes and what the business wants. In my current UX role, people I am working with have little UX knowledge or experience with no clue about what to do, and I have to take the initiative to try to understand what is needed and deliver some samples of my work to the executives without being told to do so.

@Huriel97

3 жыл бұрын

@@janieliu9713 Yeah, seems good for people already with a lot of experience but for newcomers it seems super toxic ... He says that the "it's devaluating the UX work value" is bullshit but it's just how it is for any industry really. It's very naive to think big companies will come and offer you a job because you gave them stuff for free. This mechanism of devaluation of compensation when people themselves allow themselves to be hired at a cheaper price is just a fact, it happened to a lot of industries (like IT) and it's usually very hard to climb back unless there's a huge increase in demand. It's the main effect of outsourcing labor after all, getting cheaper labour even if lesser quality and drive the price down. The whole thing about hiring newcomers, in any industry, is also to train them and make the overall industry healthier by releasing experienced people on the market after they've finished working with you, but obviously no company wants to bear the cost of that hence all the junior positions already requiring 3 years experience and to already be a unicorn designer (or whatever other position), mainly because they all have a very short term vision nowadays. Maybe another angle to this canvas method would be to focus on using those free (side)projects as portfolio projects that you could then expose to other companies you apply for a job at, while you already have a job that can already secure your livelihood . Or maybe the Canvas method guy just didn't have to pay his rent or eat food when he came up with it.

I find the fact that many people wont implement this kind of surprising, but then again I don't. In the military we were taught that we were below everyone until we earned our place and the only way to do that was to work hard, study, and go above and beyond. This also strikes me as the kind of mindset that an entrepreneurial venture has to undertake to be able to survive in a vast sea of competition. Great video! I am definitely going to subscribe.

Daaaaamnn! I used this strategy. 🔥 Made a report on "How I thought they could improve something in their application." Cold emailed them. Had an interview. SELECTED for an Entry-Level Designer role! 🥳 Thanks AJ&Smart! Forever indebted.

1:20 "Lot of young designers are not humble! They think they know everything." ~ This is GOLD

As someone who is making a career move from the film industry to UX design I can honestly say your channel is a goldmine of information. I am well aware all I know is what I learned in my UX design course and I have so much to learn. Thank you for the videos.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Amazing to hear Peter! Thanks so much we love that! Great, we guarantee very few people who watch this will actually implement it, so by doing the even rudimentary elements of this strategy you'll level up fast!

@peterdelaney1946

3 жыл бұрын

@@decibill2534 Hi there. I just saw your comment. For me, I've had enough of filming in bad weather, at unsociable hours, the freelance nature of the work. I want stability in my work and a routine. I still want to be involved in something creative and if I can help others that's a bonus. What I will miss most is the people. Film people are a social bunch. Why are you moving from UX into film?

@lucidcannibal

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly my words as of today.

All really good advice! As a new designer I can definitely confirm that I’m aware that I know nothing 😂

@SolakidisPanagiotis

4 жыл бұрын

We are on the same page :P

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Humility like that will take you a long way, honestly! Thanks for the feedback too! How would you use the canvas strategy? Anything you want us to clear up further around it?

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

@@SolakidisPanagiotis We're allllllll on the same page!

@SolakidisPanagiotis

4 жыл бұрын

@@AJSmart 😂😂

@rebeccabrodkey

4 жыл бұрын

AJ&Smart I enjoyed hearing about strategy when reaching out to people / brands, my next question would be how to tactically make that happen? How to determine the best platform, how to make sure your message gets seen? A lot of advice I’ve heard is just that you have to make or find connections to leverage but that’s hard if you don’t have any way in

Wow, AJ&Smart is actually becoming a bible for UX/UI design. Can't stress enough how much I appreciate this solid advice and the honesty

Thank you for the advice

Thanks for making this video. I am truly humbled.

I graduated from the UX Career Supercharger Course today and last e-mail topic fits this video perfectly. I am watching it to understand more deeply. Thank you for everything

This has opened my mind in so many ways. Thank you Jonathan

Love this direct style of video! It helps me just focus on one clear message of your content. I’m not distracted by effects that I usually have to skip or ignore in my mind.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Noted Christine and thanks for the feedback! More like this to come!

Really great advice! Thank you for putting this out there for junior designers! Would love to see more career vids!

As always, amazing content!

Ive heard this golden nugget of advice from your podcast awhile ago, and this really resonated with me. Thank you for this

I've been following you since I changed my career path and you guys are so inspiring, each video is so full of insights. Thank you guys

Have to be careful though some people can take advantage of you.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

That's a fair point Edmundo! But it's more about just getting on the radar here!

I'm happy I found this video as I'm just starting out. Thanks so much for the great advice.

Thank you for a great advice !!! I will do my best !!! You are a great motivator❤❤❤

This video really gave me some clarity. And honestly I’m only still working on my first project on Figma and I was stuck until I found your guys videos there is so much helpful information I have found through you. As well as networking with other UX designers on discord. But keep pumping out content your content is very very helpful. I find it funny that I’m using the canvas method to get into an inner circle of people that are very knowledgeable about real estate without me having ever heard of this concept. But I’m my head it made sense why I would try to start conversations with them and everytime I met them I’d offer something without any expectations of getting something in return. It’s been working great cause the more I see them the more they want to interact with me knowing that I’m offering services but lowkey asking questions to find out more about the real estate business side of things to hopefully eventually get to be mentored by one and take on that knowledge that they’ve gained over the years and implement that knowledge into building a real estate portfolio that will help me retire early. Definitely a plan that’s gonna take years to complete but that knowledge is what I’m essential after rather than a handout they may offer me. Which depending on contexts I would probably still do said service to them for free to gain more leverage in being to ask questions that normally they wouldn’t want to get into because if I’m not offering some form of value to them what is keeping them from giving me their time and knowledge. I found this video fascinating.

Pretty helpful. Thanks a lot!

A lot of great tips in here. Thanks for all the effort making this ep happen!

agree bro opened my mind thanks for this

Absolutely Loved it Jonathan!! Thanks for sharing this. No bulls**t, to the point talking.

Thanks for telling it to us straight, no filter! Very good to know before I start the job hunt

Definately Agree.. This is just fantastic video..

This is a great insight that I was missing in my career searching. Also, love the filming style.

Your videos are amazing and inspiring! Thank you for the amazing tips!

Hey Jonathan, first of all, great vi. I really like the straight foward format. One thing that young designers [myself included] tend to do and it's awful it's doing a work for free [in the same parameters that you specified] and getting angry if the person/company, doesn't care or just say thanks. I think the video just missed this little part because people should realise that you shouldn't get frustated if your work [which was not asked for] doesn't end up in a job offer/ promotion.

I appreciate your video! this really help me forming a positive and can do attitude towards career goals!

First just watched and noted it, yesterday remembered and read all Ryan blog about this strategy. It just blew my mind. Thank you, Jonathan, for sharing this, this is gold! 👏🏼

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jovita Veckyte!

I am amazed by how willing are some seniors in the field to help Junior UX designers like me. That was a master class. Not promoting not saying anything related to his business just sharing advice. I loved it

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks alot Solakidis! Great to hear! Thanks for the lovely feedback, and let us know how you get on with the strategy!

Great video! I learned a lot recently from UI and UX courses but I am still thinking there are people that are so much better and more experienced. There are so much more to learn and I think as a designer you always have to keep your eyes open and learn new stuff; programs, techniques and develop new skills.

Hey guys! Im just starting in this ux/ui world. I can defnetly say that you have the best content here on youtube! Thanks for doing it.

The best video, concise and to the point with very valuable advice that people can use! Thank you so much!

Basically what I need to do! Thank you so much guy, I learned a lot today.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Frank, you won't look back! Let us know how it goes?!

Thank you for the great video, I will defenitly try this!

@AJSmart

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching - happy to see that you liked it! let us know how it goes!

Excellent video. Straight to the point, no jokes, no loud background music, and its real. You can hear it and see it in his conversation. “Free” needs to earn the public opinion of “investing”

Thanks AJ&SMART

This is amazing information thank you!

@AJSmart

2 жыл бұрын

Any time!

Thank you for always wanting to help and sharing insight like this. I’m not going to lie it wasn’t what I wanted to hear but I know I need to hear it. I am going to apply this strategy so I can finally break into the field!

Assessing a need and doing something for free unprompted and being asked to do something for free are very different things. Thank you for this video!

I am not a junior, and i find that your tips are very important and helpful, well done for your work and help. I'm sure I'll look at the rest of your guides, and learn about your company. Thank you

This is really helpful and the strategy will help me in my life forward... THANKS for the video...

Your channel definitely deserves my subs!

Amazing tips, I love it.

Great content as always but also SO DARN CRISPY 🤩 I think this is you best looking video so far

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Please don't tell Jonathan it was literally a G7Xmkii and sunlight... I exported it at a SUPER CRISPY 100mbps though soooooo

Great video Jonathan. Stick with this format - it’s perfect! I’ll certainly look into the canvas strategy some more to help me progress.

@SolakidisPanagiotis

4 жыл бұрын

I also find that look great

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot! Loads more like this to follow! Let us know how you progress with it, and if you have any questions!

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

@@SolakidisPanagiotis Thanks Solakidis!

Hi Jonathan, Thank you for this video! I had never heard of the strategy before but makes so much sense and I do agree. I am just starting out in UX & Product Design, so trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can while practicing my skills.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Marie! We hope this strategy helps you in your UX & Product Design career.

I really wish I saw this last year. Thanks so so much for this now I know I can do better

great video!!!

I love this approach, I've reached out to some people who I admired and have received responses, so I think asking and reaching out is good, but if you can provide value this is a lot more powerful. Thanks for continuing to produce content during quarantine!

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Gunkel! It's very cool that you have received responses. And you're right, you always have to try to provide value.

This came at the right time, love the low - fi style videos :).

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rachid! Glad you like them.

Thank you for the great inisght. I'm putting the canvas strategy to use henceforth, it's the way to go

Live saving video. Thank you.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ayodeji Ojurongbe! Glad it helped.

Great video, I will try to use this approach. Thanks for summarizing. ;)

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Maximilian! Hope it comes in handy!

Awesome! Thanks

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thank YOU!

I'm below the food chain, I accept that and I'm happy with that to learn more.

I've been a UX designer longer so naturally I was holding out, but he's one-hundred percent correct. Even more-so he's right that this approach is applicable to almost any type of work. Good vid.

Awesome video! These tips are really great. I totally agree that everyone should be open to working for free. However, I think you should only work for free if you are the one proposing the project, and if you feel that it adds value. Never accept when someone asks you to work for them for free because they are simply telling you that they don't value your time. If someone is going to ask you to help them to make money, they should pay your while they are at it. And no payment in "exposure" either.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Savara. That's a very nice way to put it.

I studied Interior Design but recently, I decided to change my career for UX Design field. So, I definitely at the very low bottom line though I dream to be a UX Design along with AJ&Smart channel! When I build up some skill and/or projects I will do 'The Canvas Strategy' of course. Thanks for inspiring me!

I'm a Junior BA/UX Designer and honestly your videos are amazing. Implementing UX strategies has fallen on my shoulders at my company (Apparently I'm supposed to be the expert!), but I feel like I don't really know anything. Maybe I'll be good enough someday to join an awesome team like the one they have at AJ&Smart!

I'm a Belgian digital design and development student and we learn everything about ux/ui but what you just told is something they don't teach us and is soooo important. So thanks for these great tips!

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

They don't! We have another amazing video coming on this kinda of topic, please stay posted!

@lucasdenduyver5423

4 жыл бұрын

@@AJSmart will be there

Very helpful

Amazing advice, this is jewels thank you!

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Thembi! Hope you can apply it

wow, ive always been doing this but I never knew there was a term for it! Now I feel more confident doing it, thank you so much!

@luciaziman3956

3 жыл бұрын

Same here!

Thanks!

One of the best videos on this channel. I’m currently trying to transition my career into UI/UX... I didn’t know my next steps but I do now.🤘

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Wow high praise thanks so much Juan! Great to hear you have a clearer path now! Where are you looking to work? What would be your dream job?!

@lilcleo001

4 жыл бұрын

AJ&Smart “Where” is the one I need to figure out. Dream job would be creating products that help people and solve problems but also have a mission I believe in.

that was gold what you just shared with us, Thank You.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ibra! More gold to come!

@brahim2462

4 жыл бұрын

@@AJSmart thanks for the reply, my goal is to switch my career to UI/UX in the near future, and you guys are great motivation, thank you very much.

great advice! Thx!

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kamil!

Completely agree with it all! Been using this strategy for a while and it works. Just be aware many in many cases this can be hard work, so make sure to choose who you want to approach carefully. It will burn you out if you did this for every single possible job opportunity out there.

I think I've never commented on a video before but now, I HAVE TO ! I recently graduated and your videos are just a huge source of knowledge that I didn't realize I needed that much. I feel my school lacked your kind of insight and well, lacked a lot of things basically. I'm not one to stop where I am, I want to learn more and improve my skills. I definitely want to be an asset to companies that would decide to hire me and be able to show them I will continually improve myself. So I really just wanted to say thank you for your videos and the hardwork you put into them considering your giving away all that for free when there's a considerable amount of premium UX courses that wouldn't even come to that level !

@AJSmart

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Clélia! That's the greatest compliment! What other topics are you interested in?

I am a designer at heart with less than a year active (DJEI Graphics) thumbtack profile providing free lance design solutions to various customers. I thoroughly enjoyed your video and gives us aspiring full time designers hope. Thank you for introducing us to the Canvas strategy!

This is amazing

I really like the way you explain the canvas strategy. I just started my career in ux/ui this strategy will really helps me to improve my knowledge about ux and skills about my self too this video is eye opening for me thank you for such amazing video.

That was a fantastic Lo-Fi video Johnathan. Getting such in-depth insights on Canvas Strategy was amazing. Will be giving it a thorough read. Thanks for sharing.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks again Abhishek! Great to hear you like the style as there'll be more to come for sure!

To the point. Mind-blowing. Humanitarian.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jungkyoo Kim!

I’ve been studying and creating my port for over a year and I’ve recently began researching companies and sending in applications. This information is so helpful and is easing my anxiety over „not knowing enough“ as I go for a win. Of course I don’t and I’m not expected to. I’m just expected to put in the work and learn from the failures til I find a good fit.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Jenna. Good luck with the job search and hope this strategy can help you with that.

I would love to understand depths. Thank you for the videos you do? They mean a lot.

I totally agree with this! is how I managed to get some of my 1st clients at AJ Innova.

I only have 5 words for this video - WOW... Um, I meant 3 letters haha... This is incredible. LOVE this. You guys release some stupendous videos. Super, super helpful. I will definitely use canvas strategy one day, just focusing on really learning right now :). This is super awesome!!!

I totally agree it’s a strategy that helps people in every sphere if properly employed. I am definitely going to research it proper while I am learning. Thank you for the video.

thank you for sharing this strategy! this is super useful! I have a big dream to find a job in a Paris and I hope it gonna help me to do it) merci)

I'll give a shot. Thanks for sharing.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Piyush! Keep us in the loop!

I am in the middle of a career change and studying UX Design and I have major imposter syndrome. I know I don't know anything, but am continuing to work. Thank you for the really good advice!

This is a great video because the strategy is also relevant to someone like me who is outside the realm of UX, although I'm toying with making the switch hence watching the video. Best video I have come across so far on the topic. Interesting to see how the philosophy of free work differs between industries - coming from a music performance background, the notion of asking musicians to play for free would result in a serious backlash because so much of the industry is sadly rife with 'we can't pay you but the exposure and future opportunities could be great'. But in the case you outlined here, it made sense :) I am not even a junior designer yet, so I know nothing about the square root of nothing! Will check out the portfolio video in your pinned comment but I'm definitely going to get started on the software and design essentials. Subscribed, thanks.

Johathan i agree and this is exactly what i am doing right now. I know you spoke about this in the past on a video with Ran Segall, and i always thought this is a great strategy to try out. Thanks for sharing 🙏🙏🙏

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Hey Andrei Velicu! Nice that you're applying this strategy. It's a very good advice, that's why Jonathan keeps explaining and implementing it. Cool that you follow Ran Segall as well.

wow, this is great with I knew this years ago!

Wow, it was one of the best videos about getting a job I have ever watched. Really. Yeah, the tips might seem obvious but actually many people don't do it, they don't make good research, they don't show their effort to get to know the company's problems, etc. Thanks for those tips because I was making such mistakes as well and now I realized that you are right, it makes a lot of sense. Thanks!

@AJSmart

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kamil! Sometimes we don't think of the most obvious things! And sometimes we need to be reminded of even the simplest things in order to build them into our process.

nice video!.... knowing and accepting where you are is always a good way of starting and progressing in the right direction. Working for free does work... some clients genuinely cant afford your services but do appreciate and give you work when they can but on other hand some people out there don't respect free services and keep exploiting... SO MUST KEEP EYES OPEN TO THAT!

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Spot on Ali Ayub! Thanks for sharing.

This is some real good information, I’m a young designer and frankly when it comes to connecting with people I have no idea how to after watching this thrice 😂 I can surely say at least now I have some ideas on how to approach people with the right message and timing. Always thought that solving problems is the job never thought that it can be the very thing that’ll solve min problems. 😃

I never knew about this approach, I’ve been stuck on step one for ages. I’m fully aware of where I stand and what I know and don’t know, and it’s been nearly impossible to connect with people! I will try to do find some companies I wanna work at do my research and provide them solutions to problems they didn’t realize they had :)

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Amazing Andi! Any companies in particular that you have your eye on?!

Thanks, great advice! Got this link from my mom ha, so thanks mom :0 I think the difference with doing free work is like you said - as part of the canvas strategy - emphasis on strategy and also about doing it and offering it vs doing free work that's asked of you that might not further your career/being exploited.

I'm gonna really give this a good thought. My bf and I are currently building our own company and as we want to actually really support people in improving their business', this is very good advice!

Thank you!

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Leigh!

This is great. As a student learning UX Design I've been thinking about this as I go through my program. I was doing what you're suggesting intuitively, but it is so nice to hear it from a professional. I've been working on a project spanning many classes and when I it is complete, my plan is to reach out to the company and show them my work.

@AJSmart

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ian! Great that you took the initiative already with this! Amazing to hear! Which companies are you aiming for?!

@iankelley7574

4 жыл бұрын

@@AJSmart I've only aimed at one and it's Black Rifle Coffee Company. As a graduate student in UX I feel as if I should know more than I do, but I'm okay with admitting that and hopefully can join a team that is willing to teach, guide, and shape me into a competent UX Designer.

Really insightful video Jonathan, thank you! I'm curious about what you think the most effective approaches to researching the needs and pain points of the companies/individuals you're looking to work with are? I would approach this as a design problem and would conduct my research in the way I would on any other project. I am just curious about what methods have worked best for you?

I can confirm the canvas strategy works. I sent in an application to a software company. I conducted an interview with two users of the software to add to my application. Adding this piece of research got me a video call with the front end guy doing the hiring the same day. However, it was a product design role and my visual design skills let me down. So I'm also working on my visual design at the moment.

It's weird because I kind of already knew this were the actions I needed to do indirectly, but is obviously better when someone points that out to you and remind you what you should be doing.

@AJSmart

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful Mauricio!