Careers in Software Development for Creative People

People often think that software development requires mathematical and technical skills, not creative ones. But this couldn't be further from the truth.

Problem-solving when learning to code requires strong creative skills, and creative people quickly learn that to build software effectively, you need as much Poirot in you as Poindexter.

With software developer jobs projected to grow much faster than most sectors in the U.S. over the coming decade, you can bet that there will be plenty of opportunities for creatives seeking to land a job at a tech company.

In this post, we'll discuss careers in web design for creative people, including the entry-level requirements and utilizing your creative skills to make an impact.

1. Product Designer

A product designer can specialize in many areas of software engineering, but the aim is to build software through problem-solving.

What Does a Product Designer Do?

A product designer at a tech company spends a surprising amount of time messing around with paper cut-outs to design prototypes. To build software and predict user experience, you need to visualize the journey: a product designer does precisely that.

You'll work closely with the project manager and spend time mapping out the product, using your problem-solving skills to identify weak points in the user experience and bugs in the software. You'll be a savvy software developer whose creative skills are as much of an asset to the tech company as your software engineering know-how.

Creative Skills for a Product Designer

Of all the creative people at a tech company, you are in charge of the plot. A software developer writing code can get bogged down in the technicalities of a scene. Your role as a product designer is to prevent coders from inadvertently creating plot holes.

In coding basics, the golden rule is that less is more. A product designer helps translate code with a focus on user experience. You have to work closely with everyone at your tech company to prevent bad outcomes.

Product Designer Entry-Level Requirements

While there are no strict entry-level requirements to become a product designer, a tech company will usually want:

• Graphic design skills

• Experience with A/B testing

• Excellent journey mapping/wireframing skills

• Fluency in HTML & CSS

• Knowledge of analytics

This type of software developer appreciates internal consistency and problem-solving. Also, putting yourself in the shoes of various consumers is an essential part of learning to code with human interaction in mind.

2. Data Scientist

Data science is a combination of web development, graphing expertise, and social insight. A tech company will use data science to understand its audience better and improve its user experience.

What Does a Data Scientist Do?

Data science involves creating models for analyzing large amounts of data to improve web design. A tech company might use this information to examine how its web design and web development intersect with the needs of its users. As a data scientist, your role is to work closely with the project manager to generate and display this information.

You'll also work closely with user experience designers to provide direction when writing code, making the web design process more efficient. Your insights will help the tech company build software that answers its users' needs and exceeds their expectations.

Creative Skills for Data Science

You will take problem-solving to the next level, using your creative skills to intuitively map vast amounts of data. You're not just there to show what users want. You help create the perfect user experience by mapping user needs against the needs of the tech company and finding the most elegant solution.

If you think that data science doesn't sound very people-oriented, think again: Jeff Hammerbacher is the software engineering specialist who created Facebook's massive infrastructure. If that isn't a platform that centers human interaction, we don't know what is.

Data Science Entry-Level Requirements

Typically, creative people wanting to work in data science will need:

• An undergraduate degree or higher in computer science, math, or a related field

• Experience writing code in languages such as Java, C, and Python

• Strong problem-solving skills

• Experience in data analysis & mapping

• Sound knowledge of information security (data is valuable)

For creative people, data science is like waving your hands over a cauldron and shouting ‘Now live!’ A beautiful 3D data model emerges from the cauldron. Sure, you'll be writing code instead of experimenting with alchemy, but the point is that you get to make the idea come to life.

3. Information Security Analyst

Information security specialists are the gatekeepers to a company's sensitive information. Maintaining a solid defense in information security requires creative skills, a strong analytical mind, and learning to code.

What Does An Information Security Analyst Do?

An information security analyst maintains the cyber-security of a tech company. Or any company. Web development requires large amounts of data, and hackers want that data.

As a creative person working in information security, you'll work closely with the project manager to identify important datasets and build software to ensure they're protected. Information security can also involve ensuring that no software developer ends up writing code that could compromise the product.

Creative Skills for Information Security

On top of writing code to protect sensitive information, you'll need strong problem-solving skills to identify bugs or weaknesses in your company's web design.

You'll also need to think on your feet in the event of a hack. Creative workarounds for compromised systems were what saved Amazon Web Services from the largest ever DDoS attack.

As an information security specialist, you're the superhero of data science.

Entry-Level Requirements for Information Security Analysts

At entry level this role, most companies will ask for:

• At least a Bachelor's degree in computer science

• Frequently a Master's degree in a relevant field

• Patch management skills

• Experience with network penetration testing

• Ability to work closely with colleagues and explain best cyber-security practices

Responsibility has to sit easily on your shoulder in this role. Creative people drawn to complex ideas and quick thinking skills would make excellent information security analysts.

4. Project Manager

The project manager coordinates the team members as they build software. This role is perfect for creative people with a flair for organization.

What Does a Project Manager Do?

A project manager has to work closely with every software developer to ensure progress is continuous. You also have to balance a project's budget and work closely with stakeholders outside the software engineering team.

Creative Skills for a Project Manager

Your problem-solving skills have to marry the work of every software developer writing code with every user experience designer identifying flaws in the product. As the project manager, you are the architect, and the final design of the product has to meet your vision.

Being a project manager requires a delicate balance of logistics and people skills. Just take it from Michael Kaplan, PMP at TD Ameritrade. You have to work closely with specialists in various departments, coordinate their work, and figure out how to make each team member flourish in their role. It's no easy feat and requires communication and creative skills.

Entry-Level Requirements for a Project Manager

While there are no set entry-level requirements for project management, it can be helpful to have:

• Experience writing code (for technical projects)

• PMP certification

• Excellent organizational skills

• A Bachelor's degree or higher in management

In software engineering, the project manager sees the bigger picture and makes the right call while keeping everyone on track.

Conclusion: Creativity in Software Development

Whether you're considering learning to code or have already started to build software using your creative skills, opportunities for creativity are sure to come along in the software development industry.

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