Are you self employed doing design full time? I’m getting sick of the US too, feel like both sides of politics are evil and war criminals.
Discussion
I currently do product design at Amboss.
If I wanted to pursue product design as a career, do you have any recommendations on where to start? How long did it take you to do it full time?
You can probably get pretty far self teaching and practicing. I am fully self taught but I’ve been designing for a long time. I have a large list of clients behind me and multiple agency experiences.
I’d read everything I can, learn the tools and practice a lot. Goal should be to get paying work in the field as soon as possible. Look for UI/UX designer position once you feel comfortable and have a portfolio. Preferably take on a few freelance clients and make something you can show off that you got paid for.
There’s no time frame I can give - all depends on your motivation, effort and ability to learn and move fast.
All I can say is that no one ever becomes a good designer - it’s always a work in progress and you’ll constantly look back at your previous work wondering how it was so bad.