The Creative Media Industry

1. What type of tech professionals have you worked with in the past and present? What are the demands for these jobs?

It is very evident that we are moving towards a digital based future. All our work, particularly businesses, will move into an internet-based platform. Because of this, there will be a great demand for jobs such as web management, product designers, UI and UX design, software engineering, among others. For instance, in my company, as we work on SEO, I can see a big need for product designers for different companies. Industry leaders will be more positioned to encouraging jobs that have something to do on creating and designing online based businesses, which means that the demand and competition for these jobs will be high.

2. The global pandemic has caused some industries to shut down causing people to lose their jobs. What do you think will the impact of the pandemic on job stability and attractiveness in the tech industry? Will it create a positive or a negative effect?

There will be a shift on the job placements. Companies such as hotels and restaurants that have no online presence in the past suddenly subscribe to web services. For this reason, web developers and designers who work with tech industry related jobs like SEOs and web analytics, shift to creating websites for these companies. But overall, in my opinion, the tech industry will operate as is even after pandemic.

3. As a new UX designer, do you think that I will be able to land easily on a job once I finish my education?

UX designers are important part of our ecosystem. The responsibility of the UX designer is ensure that the customers and company partners have a seamless and efficient product design. This means that there will be a lot of opportunities for product designers in the next coming years. However, as the demand gets higher and higher, the competition also gets tougher especially now that more people (and businesses) are transitioning to an internet platform. Both must be accustomed to creating and receiving services online, which is evident now.

4. What do you think is the most important quality or skill that a product designer should have?

The most important skill that a UX designer must possess is flexibility. The tech industry is a diverse sector and to fit in, being adaptable is important. Another important skill is creativity. Being able to create something new is an ability that will help a UX designer to stand out. Lastly, a new designer should be continuously honing and empowering his/her skills and understanding the nature the industry and the job.

5. Should a UX designer be proficient in coding?

It will depend on the industry but generally, technical skills such as coding is a responsibility. Tech industry is fast paced and changing, and so one should possess the latest knowledge in technology. This is important especially in communicating with other members of the tech team. A UX designer should know and be able to speak the same language that the web developers and software engineers speak so that the tasks are easier to execute.

6. Based on today’s external influences, for instance, the global pandemic that is COVID-19, what will be the sector that the industry will focus on now, and in the future?

Our forecast is telling us that the trend will be going towards a digital workspace. This means that more and more businesses are creating an online presence. This is true especially in my company as we are growing, being an SEO company, especially during this pandemic, as more people are trying to work and find jobs online or set-up businesses online. As we are being accustomed to this way of life, I can see that this will be the greatest trend that will happen in the industry in the next coming years.

7. Let us talk about the changes in industry. What is the major innovation that you have seen in the industry?

For me, working in SEO, I think that the biggest trend that happened was introducing customer experience as a product. Most companies are not only developing the technicalities of their product, but they are also designing the experience that comes along with it. They focus specifically on product design, usability, platform and UX design, customer support and experience.

8. Can a UX designer be an SEO professional? What are the technical skills I need to do this?

Everyone can be an SEO professional. As an SEO expert, your goal should be make yourself known online and you should be able to promote a service online. Improving your portfolio and enhancing your skills are important to market yourself to be hired as an SEO professional.

Online training and subscription are available to enhance your skills in SEO. Another option to do freelance which help you learn.

9. How will technology change in the future? What are the potential technologies that will impact the way designers work in the future?

The tech industry is always innovating. There will be something new all the time. But the change that will create the most impact will be online security. As we move digitally, security will be of utmost concern especially of companies, professionals, and customers.

10. What will be the development in tech industry that will ensure that the internet will be an online space for everyone?

In Europe, the Data Protection Act of Europe governs all entities that is operating in EU which my company follows strictly. Security wise, we are always innovating. Our development team makes sure that data encryption is effective to ensure that customer information is protected.

11. Are the online authorities doing their job to make sure that the internet is a safe space for everyone?

Yes, they do. Many websites are being shutdown by violating cyber laws. However, implementation of certain policies can be difficult in Europe because each state has their own laws. Some cyber laws can violate statutory rights (freedom of speech, for instance) in some countries, which make full implementation difficult. The best protection for individuals and companies for now will be the Data Protection Act. However, some services online do not observe such which makes your data stay online.

12. How does your company filter online searches to make sure that people see trusted website to prevent misinformation?

Our company provides an SEO analytics tool which gives an analysis of the websites that are linked to your own website. This enables us to back track website that have been tagged as harmful or malicious. We are implementing stringent measure to prevent malicious activities in our workspace, and we make sure that our information comes from a reliable source.