I thought the next step would be better software.

I started working with a client in a very niche professional-products sector, first as a technical writer. My background with Chinese documents, test reports, photos and files that need basic electrical knowledge was what they needed.

Then they asked me to build their spec sheets. I expected specialized software, or at least Figma or Adobe. Instead, all their spec sheets are built in PowerPoint.

Two things changed my mind:

PowerPoint is often seen as a low-value tool. It isn't, if you know how to approach it.

The tool matters, but what matters most is knowing your field: what a spec sheet has to say, to whom, and in what order.

Have you ever had to do serious design work in a tool you didn't expect to use?

Claims dashboard for a medial technology platform