Exactly a year ago, I switched from freelancing to a full-time contract. It was a big change, but no matter the role—freelancer or contract employee—one thing remains crucial: working with people and balancing different business needs. Over the years, as a UX/UI designer, I’ve had the chance to work with various types of clients—from cultural institutions and small companies in different industries to large organizations. Each role brought different experiences and challenges that help me better understand the diversity of UX work today. In this article, I’ll share my career path, key principles of collaboration, and lessons learned from working in different environments.

My career path has taught me that the key to success is effective collaboration, regardless of the type of work arrangement. Each role has its own challenges and benefits, but striving towards a common goal and solving problems together are always essential. The principles I follow—“separate the person from the problem” and “we’re all playing towards the same goal”—are crucial for creating value for both users and the business.

Whether working for a large organization, a small business, or an NGO, my career has taught me that UX isn’t just about designing for users; it’s about understanding the context in which I operate. In the case of business clients, this means balancing user needs with business goals, knowing that without a strong business foundation, there wouldn’t be any products or services to design for.

When working with NGOs or cultural institutions, the focus shifts more towards understanding the broader impact and context, where user experience serves not just to achieve business objectives, but to create meaningful connections and drive social or cultural value.

In either case, creating value means continuously finding the right balance between different priorities and always striving for solutions that benefit both the organization and its users.

First steps – the world of freelance

Starting out as a freelancer, I had to learn to manage everything on my own—from finding clients to delivering projects and handling finances. I worked with a variety of clients: small businesses, cultural institutions, and individual contractors. Each project required flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to the specific industry.

The biggest challenge was finding a balance between independence and collaboration. While the flexibility to set my own terms was a big plus, working solo often meant limited opportunities for exchanging ideas with others. To navigate this, I adopted the principle: 'Separate the person from the problem,' which helped me address challenges objectively and maintain healthy client relationships. I focused on keeping communication factual and constructive, even when delivering difficult news.

Full-time contract – new challenges and broader collaboration

Taking on a full-time contract was a significant change—from being an on-demand freelancer to a full-time collaboration with a single client, within a large, diverse team. This shift opened up a whole new dimension of work, where daily collaboration with marketing, analytics, and development teams became essential.

In a large organization, I learned to build subteams—smaller groups working on specific projects, where each member contributed unique skills. Working on complex projects required focusing on the principle: “We’re all playing towards the same goal,” which meant striving to achieve UX objectives together, regardless of different skill sets.

Lessons learned – working with different types of clients

Working with various clients taught me that every collaboration requires adapting to the specific needs of the organization:

Individual clients and small businesses: working for small companies required flexibility and a quick response to changing needs. Close collaboration and open communication were essential, often requiring intensive interaction.

Cultural institutions: collaborating with cultural organizations taught me the importance of understanding the context and user needs. These projects often had a more complex communication structure and required a deeper understanding of the audience.

Large organizations: working for a large digital platform came with more complex projects and the need for coordination across different teams. Daily collaboration with experts from various fields and building shared solutions helped me better understand how UX impacts the entire organization.

The role of business in design – balancing company and user needs

Working in e-commerce, I face the daily challenge of reconciling different interests. On the one hand, marketing and business needs must be met—sales campaigns, promotions, and strategies to boost conversions are key to company growth. On the other hand, as a UX designer, I play the role of a “user advocate,” ensuring their needs and expectations are met. Balancing these priorities requires flexibility and the ability to make decisions that serve both the business and the users.

Sometimes, the goals of users and the business don’t align. For example, marketing might prefer more aggressive campaigns, using pop-ups to engage users, but from a UX perspective, it’s important that these actions aren’t too intrusive. The key is finding a balance that allows the company to reach its goals while ensuring a positive user experience.

Mentoring and development programs

One of the benefits of working on a contract is having access to company development programs. In freelancing, professional growth was my own responsibility, but at long term contract, I had access to mentors and dedicated programs that accelerated my growth. Working on long-term projects also allowed me to explore UX strategies more deeply.

Work-life balance – what I’ve learned

Switching from freelancing to a full-time contract helped me better organize my work time. While freelancing offered more freedom, it was often unpredictable, with work sometimes happening outside of regular hours. The contract brought stability and more efficient project planning, allowing me to manage my time better and find a balance between work and personal life.

What’s next? My future plans

A year with a full-time contract has shown me the value of long-term teamwork and managing professional relationships. I plan to keep exploring complex UX problems, developing my skills, and aiming for a leadership role where I can effectively foster collaboration in multidisciplinary teams.

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My journey from on-demand freelance UX to a full-time contract: lessons learned