Posted on 18 Mar, 2026

See how real designers actually get started and the challenges they face, distilled from 53 experienced designers and counting.
In high school, I started coding with a group of friends who were building a game. I began with simple experiments, then moved into front-end development and joined a project as a volunteer. That’s where everything started.
Although I realized coding wasn’t the right fit for me, working closely with designers made me discover how much I enjoyed design. I shifted my focus, worked on multiple projects to improve myself, and learned from more experienced designers.
While studying Art History and Graphic Design at university, I shared my work online, which led to my first role as a UI/UX designer. Since then, I’ve had the chance to work with well-known products and teams, and I’m still continuing that journey.
I’m responsible for shaping the end-to-end product experience, from early concepts to final delivery. I design user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity interfaces, ensuring everything aligns with both user needs and business goals.
I work closely with product and engineering teams, iterate based on feedback, and continuously improve the experience. I also develop the design system, maintain consistency across the product, and explore new ideas to move the product forward.
Like in any role, there are certain challenges. When designing a product from scratch, there are many variables to consider, and we need to shape the output in a way that makes sense both logically and for the user.
I sometimes find it challenging to work on products or industries I’m not familiar with, but I also intentionally choose these kinds of challenges. Recently, I’ve been focusing on working across different domains to become more versatile as a designer.
My main tool is Figma, and I use other tools to support the product when needed. For MVP validation, I use AI-based testing tools like Attention Insight. For inspiration, I usually rely on Mobbin, and I feel more confident referencing real, live products rather than just concept designs.
I don’t think I’d have much advice for my younger self, because I did my best when I was starting out. But if anything, I’d tell myself to trust the process.
In the early days of my design journey, I made a lot of mistakes in freelance contracts and pushed myself too hard by being overly accommodating. If I had any regret, it would be not setting my boundaries earlier and putting too much pressure on myself.
But at the same time, it was a lesson that required experience to learn.
I’m someone who can get inspired by almost anything. Even the color or movement of a bird passing by can inspire me. When I feel like I need inspiration, instead of staring at my screen, I lift my head and observe my surroundings more carefully.