Starting a New Chapter: My First Few Months at SoftMachine

Before joining SoftMachine, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew web design would be a new challenge for me, but I hoped it would be something I could pick up quickly. At the same time, I felt this was my best opportunity to break into the industry, so I was both excited and nervous. From my first day, I could tell the team was welcoming, and the company president left a strong impression—definitely a unique and memorable personality. I initially thought the learning curve would be smooth, but I quickly realized how much there is to absorb. It’s been a fast-paced six weeks, but every challenge has been an opportunity to grow, and I’m excited to keep improving.

First Impressions: A Well-Designed Space for Creativity

My first day started with a small tour around the office. One of the first things I noticed was the great window view overlooking the river—paired with the natural lighting, it creates a really comfortable atmosphere. The office itself has a minimalistic design, but everything you need is there. There’s a cozy sofa with plenty of design magazines for inspiration, and the workstations have plenty of space to work. While some areas, like office supplies, could be a bit more organized, maybe that’s something I can help with over time!

Navigating the Learning Curve

Starting out in web design has been both exciting and overwhelming. Every day, there’s so much to learn, and I’m constantly trying to grasp new concepts in both design and coding. It’s definitely a challenge, but I appreciate that my manager has been extremely understanding, allowing me the time to work through tasks at my own pace. On top of learning the technical side of design, I’m also adjusting to working in a Japanese office environment. Being a beginner in this field, working for a foreign company in another language, and adapting to office life all at once can feel like a lot. I’m grateful for this opportunity, but I still have moments of uncertainty—figuring out workflows, knowing when to ask for feedback, and building confidence in seeking help. There’s always a lot on my mind, but I see each challenge as a chance to grow.

Adjusting to Office Life

SoftMachine is my first office job, so the work environment has been a big adjustment. In my past jobs, I was constantly moving, standing all day, and interacting with people. Now, I’m at a desk for most of the day, which has been one of the biggest hurdles to overcome. For anyone coming from a background in customer service or education, sitting in front of a computer for eight hours straight can take some getting used to. I still find it difficult to stay focused without stepping out for fresh air. One thing I do appreciate is the break structure—we have an hour-long lunch plus two 15-minute breaks in the afternoon and evening. That said, I’ve noticed that most people don’t take their full break time, often working 15-20 minutes into it. I’m not sure if this is just the norm in Japan, but it felt a bit strange to start my lunch right on time while others kept working. Just a small cultural difference I’ve picked up on!

Embracing a Fast-Paced Learning Environment

Working at a small company like SoftMachine means that everyone is deeply focused on their tasks. Many team members balance both design and coding roles simultaneously, which creates a dynamic and fast-paced work atmosphere. As a newcomer, I’ve been primarily tackling simpler tasks—like making banners and handling basic coding—but I’ve also had the chance to design a poster and even work on a smartphone interface. I’ve even met with clients, adding another layer of learning to the mix. Sometimes, I wish there was a bit more guidance before jumping into tasks, as the pace can feel a little overwhelming. However, I recognize that this rapid environment provides a steep learning curve, which might be exactly what’s needed in this industry. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, and I’m eager to continue growing in this role.

Grateful for the Opportunity to Learn

At this stage, I wouldn’t say I’m particularly proud of anything yet—everything has been a challenge. But what I do feel is gratitude. Despite being a beginner, I’ve been able to participate in real design projects, which isn’t something I expected so early on. That’s one of the unique aspects of working at a small company—there aren’t a lot of people, so you naturally have to step up, whether you feel ready or not. It’s definitely nerve-racking, and I often find myself second-guessing if I should even be handling certain tasks. But at the same time, this environment pushes me to learn by doing, which might be the best way to grow.

Focusing on Growth: Goals for the Next Few Months

One of my biggest priorities is improving my coding skills. Right now, I struggle to navigate issues quickly—whether it’s errors in the code, working with Sass, dealing with the server, or understanding WordPress. Since there’s so much to learn, I’m not entirely sure of the best way to approach studying. I’d like to create a focused learning plan and get feedback from a coworker to make sure I’m on the right track. I also want to get better at working with existing code. Simple coding tasks take me longer than they should because I’m still adjusting to editing other people’s work. If I could confidently build one-page sites on my own—without constantly checking in with coworkers—I’d feel much more secure in my role. Beyond technical skills, I also need to work on time management, problem-solving, and task organization. I tend to overthink when I get stuck, which slows me down. Learning to work through challenges more efficiently will be a big focus for me moving forward.

Adapting to a Self-Sufficient Work Style

I’m not sure if this is specific to the web design industry or just the environment I’m in, but one thing that stood out to me is the emphasis on solving issues independently. If I run into a problem, the expectation is to first search for answers—whether through the internet or AI—rather than relying on internal discussions. There’s not as much back-and-forth problem-solving with coworkers as I expected, though that could change as I settle into the role. In contrast, I feel like in the U.S., it’s more common to talk through problems, share ideas, and get different perspectives as a team. Adjusting to a more self-sufficient approach has been a challenge, but I’m working on finding a balance between figuring things out on my own and knowing when to reach out for input.