From Closets to Click-Throughs: How Eric Saber Became a Product Designer

Eric Saber never planned on becoming a product designer. In fact, just a few years ago, he was running his own professional organizing business, Outer Calm, helping clients declutter their homes and offices. But after a decade working in sales and entrepreneurship, he began to crave a new challenge – one that would allow him to combine his passion for technology, creativity, and making a meaningful impact.

Today, Eric is a Product Designer at FCB Health, a healthcare marketing agency where he designs digital experiences that support patients in managing their conditions and adhering to treatment plans. His journey from organizing pro to UX pro was full of unexpected twists and valuable lessons that have shaped him into the designer he is today. Here‘s a closer look at how he pivoted into this high-demand field and the insights he gained along the way.

Discovering a Passion for Design

Eric‘s interest in design was first piqued during a conversation with his father-in-law, a tech enthusiast who was in the midst of redesigning an app. As they discussed ideas for improving the user interface, something clicked.

"That was the lightbulb moment when I knew I wanted to be a designer," Eric recalled. "I‘ve always been a bit of a tech nerd, but I‘m also a guitarist and songwriter, so for the longest time I was looking to have some form of creativity be a part of my work life. I thought that ship might have sailed until I learned more about product design as a career."

The field of product design seemed to perfectly align with Eric‘s wide-ranging passions and skills – his analytical mindset, problem-solving nature, creative spark, and drive to help others. He began researching educational programs to gain the technical skills needed to break into this growing field.

Gaining In-Demand Skills

Eric ultimately enrolled in Programming School‘s immersive UX/UI Design program, drawn to the bootcamp‘s project-based learning approach, robust curriculum, and glowing alumni reviews. Over the course of 24 weeks, he gained hands-on experience with the full product design process, from user research and wireframing to prototyping and visual design.

"The curriculum is designed to closely mirror what you would actually do on the job as a product designer," Eric explained. "From day one, we were working on real-world projects and building our portfolios. It was intense, but it gave me the practical skills and confidence I needed to land my first design role."

Through collaborative projects and solo assignments, Eric became proficient in industry-standard tools like Figma, Sketch, and InVision. He learned how to conduct user interviews, create user personas and journey maps, develop information architecture, and run usability tests. Perhaps most importantly, he developed the communication and collaboration skills needed to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

"As a product designer, you‘re constantly collaborating with people from different backgrounds – product managers, software developers, marketers, stakeholders," Eric noted. "The Flatiron program really emphasized the soft skills needed to thrive in that kind of environment, like active listening, giving and receiving feedback, and presenting your work."

Leveraging Past Experience

While initially daunted by the idea of switching careers, Eric quickly realized that his professional background in sales and entrepreneurship equipped him with many transferable skills that would serve him well as a designer.

"Running my own business taught me so much about project management, client relations, and creative problem-solving – all things that I use every day as a product designer," he said. "I‘m used to thinking strategically about business goals and user needs, and pitching ideas to stakeholders."

His knack for organization and process optimization also translated seamlessly to the world of UX/UI, where creating structure and efficiency is key. At a high level, both professional organizing and product design are fundamentally about understanding people‘s needs and creating solutions to make their lives easier.

Still, as someone transitioning from a non-traditional background, Eric initially struggled to communicate the value of his past experience to potential employers. With the help of his Programming School career coach, he learned to position his diverse skill set as an asset rather than a liability.

"My coach helped me see that my unconventional path was actually a strength," Eric said. "He encouraged me to lean into my story and show how my unique perspective could benefit design teams."

Designing for Impact

Since joining FCB Health as a Product Designer in 2021, Eric has had the opportunity to work on numerous digital products that directly impact patients‘ lives. His projects have ranged from medication reminder apps to virtual reality experiences for pain management.

"Healthcare is such an exciting and meaningful space to be working in as a designer," Eric said. "There‘s so much potential for technology to improve patient outcomes and experiences. Every day, I get to collaborate with brilliant people across disciplines to create products that make a real difference."

Indeed, the demand for innovative digital health solutions is only growing. The global digital health market is expected to reach $660 billion by 2025, driven in large part by the widespread adoption of smartphones, wearables, and other connected devices (source). As healthcare increasingly moves into the virtual realm, the role of product designers in creating effective, user-friendly digital tools has never been more critical.

For Eric, the most rewarding part of the job is seeing the tangible impact his work has on real people‘s lives. He points to a recent project designing a mobile app for patients with a rare genetic disorder as a highlight.

"We did extensive user research with patients and caregivers to understand their daily challenges and pain points," he explained. "Based on their input, we created an app with symptom tracking, medication reminders, and educational resources. When we tested the prototype with users, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Seeing how much it helped them manage their condition was incredibly fulfilling."

Advice for Aspiring Designers

For those considering a career in product design, Eric has plenty of hard-earned wisdom to share. First and foremost, he stresses the importance of having a growth mindset and being willing to put in the hard work required to build new skills.

"Product design is an exciting and lucrative field, but it‘s also a challenging one," he said. "You need to be comfortable with ambiguity, open to feedback, and constantly learning. It takes a lot of dedication to excel, but it‘s so worth it."

He encourages aspiring designers to choose an educational program that emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world projects, rather than just theoretical concepts. Building a strong portfolio is essential for landing that first design job.

Eric also advises career changers to embrace their unique backgrounds and leverage their transferable skills. Many successful product designers come from fields like marketing, psychology, engineering, and the arts.

"Don‘t be afraid to lean into your unique story and perspective," he said. "Your diverse experiences are an asset that can help you stand out in the field."

Finally, Eric emphasizes the importance of networking and building relationships in the design community. He recommends attending industry events, joining online forums and groups, and reaching out to designers whose work you admire.

"Some of my biggest career opportunities have come through connections I‘ve made in the design community," he shared. "Don‘t be afraid to put yourself out there and ask for advice or introductions."

Forging a Fulfilling Career Path

Looking back on his winding career journey, Eric has no regrets about the twists and turns that led him to product design. In fact, he believes it was the variety of his past experiences that equipped him with the unique blend of skills and perspectives that make him a strong designer.

"I wouldn‘t be where I am today without all of those chapters – the years in sales learning how to communicate with clients, the time running my own business honing my problem-solving skills, the days spent making music and nurturing my creativity," he reflected. "All of those experiences shaped me into the designer and person I am today."

Now, as he looks ahead to the future of his career in design, Eric is excited to continue growing his skills, taking on new challenges, and making a positive impact in the healthcare space. He‘s grateful to have found a field that aligns so well with his interests and strengths.

"I feel incredibly fortunate to have found my calling in product design," he said. "I get to spend my days collaborating with talented people, solving complex problems, and creating meaningful solutions. I can‘t imagine doing anything else."

For anyone feeling stuck in an unfulfilling career or itching for a new challenge, Eric‘s story is a powerful reminder that it‘s never too late to pivot into a field that lights you up. With hard work, an open mind, and a willingness to leverage your unique experiences, you just might find your own unexpected path to a fulfilling design career.