Welcome to our not-so-secret diary
Musings, missives and more from Slack Design
![Pedro Carmo Author](https://slack.design/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/08/pedro-1600x.png?w=1600&h=1600&crop=1)
Hey Slack Design — What are the best ways to uplevel or learn new skills?
![Milan Moffatt Author](https://slack.design/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/07/milan-1600x.png?w=1600&h=1600&crop=1)
Hey Slack Design — I didn’t go to school for product design. Will I be able to make it in the industry without some type of formal education? What can I do to differentiate myself?
![Adil Dhanani Author](https://slack.design/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/07/adil-1600x.png?w=1600&h=1600&crop=1)
Hey Slack Design — When will I know that I should be a manager? If I decide I want to stick to being a designer, will I regret that decision as I advance in my career?
![Authors Jen Enrique & TJ Lee](https://slack.design/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/06/JenTJ-1600x.png?w=1600&h=1600&crop=1)
Hey Slack Design — Which is the right place for a new designer: a big company, agency, or startup?
![Author Cheryl Chepusova](https://slack.design/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/06/cheryl-1600x.png?w=1600&h=1600&crop=1)
Hey Slack Design — How can I tell which companies I should go for to get the most growth?
![author weili shi](https://slack.design/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/05/Weilii-e1621977859134.png?w=1600&h=1600&crop=1)
Hey Slack Design — In school, I studied something other than design. How can I make use of that educational background now, in my work as a designer?
![author will miner](https://slack.design/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/05/will_rgb-e1621975000487.png?w=1600&h=1600&crop=1)
Hey Slack Design — I’m currently a mid-level product designer. Should I get a Design MBA or a masters in Design/HCI to advance my career?
![author caroline shen](https://slack.design/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/05/caroline-1600x.png?w=1600&h=1600&crop=1)
Hey Slack Design — Am I doing myself a disservice by starting out my career as a freelance designer?
![illustration of author kristin au](https://slack.design/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/05/kristin_illo-1.png?w=1600&h=1600&crop=1)
Hey Slack Design — How much, if any, code should I learn?
![Josie Jeffries](https://slack.design/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/05/josie-1600x1600-1.png?w=1600&h=1600&crop=1)
Hey Slack Design — I studied a bunch of different design practices at school, from print design to graphic communication to UX design. Now that I’ve graduated, how do I decide what type of designer I want to be?
![](https://slack.design/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/05/TJ_rgb-2-1.png?w=1600&h=1600&crop=1)