Let’s talk about a question many of us ask ourselves:

“Am I doing too much?”

You’ve got a full-time UX job—maybe you're designing apps, running usability tests, or presenting findings to stakeholders. On top of that, you’re thinking about:

• Starting a freelance gig.

• Building a portfolio-worthy passion project.

• Or simply finding time to grow your skills.

The truth? You can’t do everything at once.

But you can balance it with intention. Today, we’ll explore how to manage side hustles without losing sight of your career, health, or personal growth.

Today’s Highlights

1. Key Insight: The Side Hustle Dilemma

   • Market Insights: Why Freelance UX Is the Future

   • Why Side Hustles Are Popular in UX

   • When Freelancing Adds Value—and When It Doesn’t

   • Balancing Deadlines with Personal Growth

2. Practical Tips: Time-Saving Hacks for Busy UXers

3. Community Spotlight: What’s the Best Advice for Balancing Work and Hustles?

4. UX Workshop: Crafting Engaging Case Studies That Tell a Story

5. Job Board: Fresh UX Roles

6. Resource Corner: Books, Tools, and Insights for Time Management

7. Feature Spotlight: Join Us at UXCon25

8. Tool of the Week: Toggl – Your Time Tracking Superpower

Key Insight: The Side Hustle Dilemma

The UX world loves side hustles. Nearly 43% of UX professionals engage in freelance or contract work outside their full-time jobs (Source). But with this rise comes a challenge: balancing ambition with reality.

Let’s talk numbers…

Market Insights: Why Freelance UX Is the Future

—because the UX freelance market isn’t just growing; it’s booming.

1. The UX Freelance Economy Is Exploding
The global User Experience (UX) market is projected to grow from $9.84 billion in 2024 to $22.15 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 17.62% during this period (Source).

Translation? If you’ve been considering freelancing, now is the time to jump in.

2. Clients Are Paying More for Niche Skills
Freelancers with specialized skills are seeing their rates skyrocket:

• AR/VR UX Specialists earn 20–30% more than generalists (Source).

• Accessibility-focused UX designers are commanding premium rates, with some projects offering $100–$150/hour (Source).

3. Freelancers Are Shaping the Future of Product Teams
More than 43% of UX professionals report freelancing or consulting as part of their careers in 2023 (Source).

Big players like Google, Microsoft, and Shopify are increasingly hiring freelancers for:

• User testing and research sprints.

• Accessibility audits and compliance.

• Rapid prototyping and iterative design.

The future of UX? It’s hybrid teams blending full-time and freelance talent.

Why Side Hustles Are Popular in UX

• Skill Expansion: Freelancing lets you experiment with industries or tools you might not touch in your 9-to-5.

• Creative Freedom: Side projects are an outlet for ideas your full-time job can’t accommodate.

• Financial Security: With inflation and rising living costs, that extra income helps pay bills—or fund your next dream vacation.

When Freelancing Adds Value—and When It Doesn’t

Ask yourself:

1. What’s my goal?
   Freelancing works best when it aligns with long-term career aspirations, like building expertise in accessibility or expanding your network.

2. Can I handle the workload?
   Taking on too much can lead to burnout. A rule of thumb? Limit freelance hours to 20% of your weekly workload (i.e., 8 hours per week if you work full-time).

Balancing Deadlines with Personal Growth

Ever feel like personal growth takes a backseat to work? You’re not alone. A LinkedIn Learning Study found that 63% of professionals feel “too busy” to invest in their development.

To prioritize growth:

• Block 1 hour a week for “learning time.” Watch a course, read a UX book, or attend a webinar.

• Focus on one skill at a time. Trying to master everything leads to overwhelm.

Practical Tips: Time-Saving Hacks for Busy UXers

Struggling to balance work and hustle? Try these:

1. Batch Work: Group similar tasks together to maintain focus.

2. Leverage Templates: Use pre-built Figma or Notion templates to speed up workflows.

3. Automate Admin: Tools like Calendly can save hours on scheduling and client comms.

This week’s question: What’s the Best Advice for Balancing Work and Hustles?

This Week’s Answer:

"Be intentional with your time and energy."

Not every opportunity is worth pursuing. Focus on projects that excite you, align with your career goals, and fit your schedule.

Have a burning UX question? Share it HERE!, and we might answer it in our next issue.

Upcoming workshop:

Join us to finally create UX case studies that truly stand out.

Case studies aren’t just about showing what you did—they’re about telling the story behind it. We know it’s tough, but that’s where this hands-on workshop comes in. Together, we’ll craft case studies that showcase your impact, engage your audience, and get you noticed.

Secure your spot!

Research Intern - UX Research and Design (Health AI)

Microsoft / Redmond, WA (Hybrid) / $12.9K/yr - $13.9K/yr

Staff Experience Researcher

Airbnb / United States (Remote) / $172K/yr - $223.5K/yr

User Experience Researcher - Market

Meta / Menlo Park, CA / $163K/yr - $226K/yr

Senior UX/UI Designer

Venn Software / United States (Remote)

UX Designer - Crypto

Career Renew / United Kingdom (Remote)

User Researcher

Anson McCade / London Area, United Kingdom (On-site) / £75K/yr - £78K/yr

UX/UI Designer Intern

Avary.ai / NAMER (Remote)

Resource Corner: Books, Tools, and Insights for Time Management

1. Book: Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days by Chris Guillebeau – A step-by-step guide to launching your side gig.
   

2. Article: When To Say No To Freelance Projects by Smashing Magazine – Expert advice on managing commitments.
   

3. Video: UI/UX Design, side hustles and life Q&A by Sara Brunettini

Feature Spotlight: Join Us at UXCon25

Join us at UXCon25, where the brightest minds in UX come together to share insights, learn, and connect. Early bird tickets are now available, offering you the chance to be part of this transformative experience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your skills and network with industry leaders.

Get Your Early-Bird Ticket Today

Tool of the Week: Toggl – Your Time Tracking Superpower

Managing multiple deadlines? Toggl helps you stay on top of your time.

Here’s what Toggl can do:

• Track time across projects with one click.

• Generate reports to see where your hours go.

• Integrate seamlessly with tools like Slack, Asana, and Notion.

Try Toggl Here

Final Note | Side hustles are about balance, not burnout

Remember: It’s okay to say no to projects that don’t align with your goals. Focus on quality over quantity, and you’ll find that balance isn’t just possible—it’s empowering.

Thanks for being part of the UXU community! If you enjoyed today’s insights, share this with a friend or colleague who could benefit.

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— The UXU Team