Ascend in UX: The Yamazaki Framework Journey

In the vast and ever-evolving landscape of User Experience and Product Design, the climb to mastery and career fulfillment can often feel like scaling a formidable mountain.

As a mentor, my passion and mission have been to guide hundreds of mentees across more than 20 countries, helping them not only to ascend in their UX careers but also to learn and grow along the way. It’s a kind of retribution for all the learnings I’ve had with the community over these 16 years.

The cornerstone of this journey has been the Yamazaki Framework, a unique methodology I’ve developed and refined through my experience in UX design and mentorship. And guess what? After almost 10 years it’s still a WIP and it’ll be forever.

The Essence of the Yamazaki Framework

At its heart, the Yamazaki Framework is about understanding the terrain ahead, preparing meticulously for the climb, and embarking on the ascent with confidence and agility.

This approach mirrors the stages of mastering UX design and advancing in one’s career, from the initial mapping of one’s goals and skills to the strategic planning of career moves and the active pursuit of growth and learning.

Mapping the UX Path

The first phase, akin to mapping the mountain before the climb, involves a deep dive into self-assessment and industry analysis.

The mentee begins by understanding their current position and identifying their strengths, weaknesses, and passions.

Together, we explore the vast UX landscape, pinpointing areas of high demand and aligning them with their interests. This stage sets the foundation, offering a clear vision of the path ahead and the peaks they aspire to conquer.

Preparing for the Ascent

With the map in hand, the next step is preparation. This phase is about equipping them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and strategies to navigate the UX terrain effectively.

Through the Yamazaki Framework, I guide mentees in crafting a personalized learning plan, which may include mastering specific UX tools, engaging in projects to build a robust portfolio, and developing soft skills crucial for UX professionals.

This preparation ensures that they are not only ready to face the challenges ahead but also to seize opportunities with confidence.

The Climb: Advancing in UX

The ascent in their UX career is where theory meets practice. Armed with a strategic plan and the right tools, they begin to make deliberate moves towards their goals.

This could mean tackling more complex projects, seeking out mentorship or networking opportunities, or even transitioning into a UX role for the first time.

Throughout this phase, I am there to provide guidance, feedback, and encouragement, helping them navigate obstacles and stay on course towards their summit.

Why the Yamazaki Framework?

The Yamazaki Framework is more than just a mentorship methodology; it’s a testament to the power of personalized guidance combined with strategic planning and execution.

It has helped ME and thousands of mentees worldwide to not only enter the UX field but also to achieve remarkable growth in their careers.

The framework’s success lies in its adaptability to each mentee’s unique journey, empowering them to ascend in UX at their own pace, with confidence and clarity.

That’s it for now. Thank you!

So, my friends.
We have reached the end of this presentation of some information that I wanted to share with you before our meeting tomorrow.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you very much for your attention and time. I’m very happy that you were interested in reading a little more about me.

See you tomorrow.

Best,

Lau