From Creativity to UX Design: A Journey of Continuous Learning and Impact.
Intro:
Creativity has always been an inherent part of who I am. With a knack for fashion, drawing and a business-oriented mindset, I found myself on a path that led me to the captivating world of UX design. Along this journey, I encountered challenges, embraced the iterative design process, and discovered the power of user-centered solutions. Let me take you through my experiences, from the early stages of learning to my current role as a design lead, where I continue to learn, adapt, and make an impact.
The Genesis:Overcoming Learning Curves and Embracing Design Thinking:
My journey started with a UX/UI class that opened my eyes to the possibilities and challenges of the field. I faced a significant learning curve, immersing myself in courses that covered UX principles, design thinking, and business requirements in the digital space. Though it took time, I persevered with the guidance of mentors who believed in my potential. Looking back, I realized that design processes aren’t rigid or linear; instead, they serve as flexible frameworks to avoid launching projects doomed from the start.
Addressing a Design Challenge: The Revamp of an Ed Tech Company’s Website:
One project that stands out is the revamp of an Ed-tech company’s website. The initial requirement focused on aesthetics, which garnered positive feedback from my local design community and the client. However, it soon became apparent that aesthetics alone didn’t lead to conversions. Through usability testing, I discovered that visitors were getting carried away by the visual appeal, resulting in low conversion rates. Recognizing this, I embarked on a collaborative journey with the team, focusing on the customer journey and ease of use. We conducted ideation sessions, and the outcome was another complete revamp, aligning with the brand elements and running A/B testing with real-life users. This iterative process led to a significant improvement in task completion time and overall user satisfaction.
The Value of Continuous Learning and Meaningful Design:
Through my experiences, I’ve learned valuable lessons as a UX designer. The most significant lesson is the importance of continuous learning, adaptation, and creating new systems to enhance my skills. Design must be meaningful and useful, achieved by centering on users while aligning with business goals. I embrace the philosophy of building systems, focusing on improvement every day, and recognizing that true mastery comes from an insatiable curiosity and the willingness to admit that there is always more to learn.
Future Aspirations: Systems, Impact, and Learning:
As I continue my journey, I prioritize building systems that enable me to be the best designer I can be. By embodying the principles of design-led strategy and entrepreneurship, I aim to make a lasting impact. My current endeavor as a design lead for a SaaS project, working alongside a dedicated team, exemplifies my commitment to creating user-centered solutions. The journey is ongoing, and I am dedicated to further education and continuous improvement, taking courses such as the Google UX Design Professional course and design-led strategy programs.
Conclusion:
My journey as a UX designer has been one of growth, challenges, and continuous learning. From embracing design thinking to addressing complex problems and building systems, I am passionate about creating meaningful user experiences. As the world evolves, so does the need for innovative solutions. With each step forward, I am committed to making an impact, driven by a deep curiosity and the desire to build systems that address generational challenges, be they digital or non-digital.
