"Keep learning and working on your craft. It'll all pay off in the end."
Last updated on 23 Jul, 2024
How did you get started in your role as a designer?
The funny thing was that when I had graduated from university, the role of a UX Designer didn't exist. It was only when I had to close my business down and look for work did I realise that there was an influx of UX/UI roles in the market.
I spent a good amount of time understanding the craft, what it entailed, and tried to build out my portfolio. Thankfully, since I had a background in graphic design, it was easy to transition into it.
After several months of working on myself, loads of interviews, and a bunch of no's. A design agency saw my potential and gave me a chance. I learned a lot from working there and have never looked back since.
What are the responsibilities of your role as a designer?
Since I'm part of a small team, my role varies day-to-day and it spans across multiple areas.
The majority of my time is spent in Figma designing the latest features and discussing how we can implement everything with the devs. Other times, I'm sitting with the CEO trying to understand the needs of the product and figuring out how we can implement the solution.
Other times, I'm sitting with users gathering feedback and understanding how we can improve our products. Unfortunately, because of time and the lack of staff I've been doing this less and less. It's a shame, because I know this provides the most value.
How do you use these apps in your design process?
If I'm being honest, I use Figma 99% of the time. I rarely use Adobe now, and if I do, I try to find a way to do it in Figma.
I use Figma to house all of my creative thoughts, conversations with the devs, and of course, for designing.
Using my iPad, I can use Figma's whiteboard alternative, Figjam, to sketch ideas out and finalise the designs in Figma, making the transition to sketch to the final product seamless.
Figma has made it easy for me to collaborate with other designers and developers, making it my go-to tool that I open every day.
What advice would you give to your younger self trying to get into the field of design?
Stay curious and keep learning, even if it's outside your craft. Adding new skills increases your value, and you never know when that new skillset will help you take the next step.
As a designer, how do you stay inspired?
I sign up to many newsletters, some are relevant with design, others aren't. Either way, they keep me inspired and up-to-date with what's out there.