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"I move pixels until things make sense"

H

Helin Kıl

Turkey
Product Designer at Refine Studio

Posted on 18 Mar, 2026

Portfolio cover image of Helin Kıl

What apps do you use to help you design?

Are.na

Are.na

Attention Insight

Attention Insight

ChatGPT

ChatGPT

Figma

Figma

Framer

Framer

Mobbin

Mobbin

Webflow

Webflow

What books do you recommend?

Atomic Habits

Atomic Habits

Design of the 20th Century

Design of the 20th Century

Grid systems in graphic design

Grid systems in graphic design

What tools do you use to help you design?

Logitech LiftLogitech LiftMacbook ProMacbook ProSamsung Viewfinity S9Samsung Viewfinity S9

Career clarity for designers in 5 minutes

See how real designers actually get started and the challenges they face, distilled from 53 experienced designers and counting.

How did you get started in your role?

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.

What are the responsibilities of your role?

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.

What difficulties do you encounter in your role?

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.

How do you incorporate the apps in your design process?

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.

What advice would you give to your younger self trying to get into the field of design?

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.

Do you have any regrets in your journey in becoming a designer?

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.

As a designer how do you stay inspired?

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.

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Career clarity for designers in 5 minutes

See how real designers actually get started and the challenges they face, distilled from 53 experienced designers and counting.

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