This week we explore the world of side projects with Tregg Frank. He shares the thrills and challenges of chasing passion projects alongside a full-time job, offering insights into the balance of creativity and discipline.
Can side projects fuel creativity and professional growth for UX designers?
Tregg Frank thinks so.
In today’s episode, we’re digging into the world of side projects with the talented Tregg Frank. You might know Tregg from his work Degreeless.Design where he’s teaching people design without the need for an expensive degree. But there’s so much more to his story, especially when we talk about the projects he tackles outside of his 9-to-5.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Tregg shares some of the hurdles he’s faced, from finding the right balance to dealing with the inevitable creative blocks. Yet, it’s clear that for Tregg, these side projects are more than just hobbies; they’re a vital part of his professional identity and personal fulfillment. They’re a way to explore new ideas, push boundaries, and, perhaps most importantly, stay true to himself.
Join us as Tregg shares practical tips on staying motivated, the importance of aligning side projects with personal interests to keep the creative juices flowing, and how these endeavors can serve as a catalyst for professional growth and networking. It’s a conversation that underscores the value of side hustles in not just shaping our careers but enriching our lives.
Topics:
• 04:03 – Get your questions ready
• 08:26 – What is a side project?
• 10:50 – Tregg’s side project journey
• 15:08 – How can side projects be valuable?
• 19:14 – Side projects in your portfolio can speak the work you want
• 20:58 – Managing full-time jobs and side projects
• 26:13 – Are partners a good idea?
• 30:13 – Finding a partner for your side project
• 34:13 – Staying motivated with side projects
• 41:29 – Traits that make up an effective side project founder
• 45:39 – Pitfalls to avoid
Helpful Links:
• Connect with Tregg on LinkedIn
• Follow Tregg on Twitter 𝕏
• Degreeless.design
• divinate.co
Senior Product Designer, maker, leader
About Tregg
Tregg is a senior product designer, leader, maker, and mentor. During the day, he works at Stark making tools for accessible design, and at night, he’s building Divinate, a user research tool that eliminates busywork with AI. He also curates a design resource list and writes on design at Degreeless.Design. When he’s not designing, he’s either hanging out with his wife and toddler or playing electric guitar.
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Meet your host
Jeremy Miller
Designer // Host // Mentor
I’m Jeremy. I’m a product designer from New Orleans. Here are some things I want you to know about me:
- I rally around research
- I’m dedicated to design
- I’m crazy about collaboration
- I’m sweet on the soft skills
- I’m entranced by the end users
- I’m passionate about the product
But most importantly, I know you can’t build great software without great relationships.
So join me here and learn about how to build truly great software.
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