In defense of side projects
Side projects expand your horizons, grow your network, and can lead to opportunities. But some people hate them. Let's discuss.
It's launch day for me! Today my side project Divinate is live on Product Hunt.
Divinate is a research tool designed for fast paced product teams who talk to their customers. It helps you automate the busywork that comes with the task of conducting research; tagging, organizing, sorting the trove of data and insights.
Since side projects are top of mind, I wanted to write about them. I'm a firm believer, as you could imagine, in having creative side projects. It's always fed me and benefited me and I want to explain how and why.
I think side projects are extremely important. Especially if you feel like there are specific things you'd like to learn, skills you'd like to practice, or the role you're in might leave you with little to no portfolio pieces.
In college, I had a professor who joked that baristas don't go home and make more lattes, but designers and developers do more work at home.
At the time I gave a hardy little chortle, but today I actually feel like I disagree. People who truly love coffee do often have coffee rituals at home. In the past few years the at-home coffee game as truly exploded. Have you seen the frozen steel spheres they pour espresso shots over now? Wild stuff.
My point being, I think side projects are a sign of someone who's passionate and hungry to learn more. Some of the biggest career growth I've felt has come as a direct result of playing around in my own free time, working towards a goal, and launching stuff. You learn so much.
1. Expand your creative horizons
Side projects are a sandbox for innovation. Free from client specifications or company guidelines, you can experiment with new design philosophies, technologies, and experiences. You can learn how to make a dollar on the internet. Everything you learn here can be applied to your day to day work, often in fairly direct ways.
2. Sharpening your design skills
Engaging in side projects allows you to develop and refine skills that may have otherwise atrophied. I’ve worked in roles where the design system is soul crushing and ugly. Often it’s best to build up a repertoire of work that isn’t visually appalling. Whether it’s mastering a new design tool, new styles and trends, or exploring business, side projects provide a practical setting for continuous learning and skill enhancement. You can try stuff! No rules!
3. Did I mention business?
Not every side project needs to make money. This one doesn't. It almost did at first launch in 2018 because I had Amazon Affiliate links on all the books I showed. That turned out to be more work than it was worth because I needed a privacy policy. In the days pre-chatGPT, that was a tall ask. So, no money way made. That said, through Degreeless, my music side project Unslept, and my new project Divinate, I can measurably observe my progression in understanding business across each. Each one has launched more lean, more clean, and felt more real. Learn how to make something people want. Learn how to sell it.
4. Networking within the design community
Side projects often lead to new connections within the design community. Networking! They offer opportunities to collaborate with other designers, developers, and creatives. Designers at a company I interviewed at had heard of Degreeless and shared it around; I got that job. Having connections is never a bad thing. If you’re making stuff for designers, you often meet designers. It’s a nice bonus of doing design focused side projects.
5. Pursuing passions
Side projects allow designers to pursue areas of interest that may not align with the gig that puts bread on the table. I made a project about metal music. That’s not something you can do if you’re jamming out 9 to 5 at a bank. It’s not only fulfilling but you make yourself more interesting by having something you care about. Design that hiking app. Build a community around anime. Make friends, make things for them. It’s the best.
6. Portfolio boosters
If it's launched, people can use it, and/or people can pay for it in my book it's real. Real work goes in the portfolio. Not comfy or feel like it's secondary to your 9 to 5 work? Pop it in a side project page. Flex your design skills beyond what you're able to in your normal work and impress those hiring managers. Demonstrate your initiative, creativity, and dedication to the craft. It makes you more attractive to prospective employers or clients.
Side projects are more than creative outlets; they are catalysts for growth in a your journey. They allow us to explore beyond our comfort zones and 9 to 5 limitations. They boost our portfolios, expand our professional networks, and hone our business acumen. And they’re fun.
Go build something. Like I did! Divinate is on Product Hunt. Please go check it out. It means the world!
Thank you for your time!
Tregg Frank