Challenging Myself: Why I’m Starting This Journal
Taking the Leap: My First Try at Sharing My Design Journey
Ever thought about sharing your story but held back by self-doubt? That’s been me for years. Writing feels daunting—especially in a second language. I’ve always worried that my words wouldn’t be good enough, or that my thoughts would get lost among the countless articles written by more experienced people (and honestly, that’s still a possibility).
The turning point came during a therapy session. I was venting about some stress and fears I had at work when my therapist asked, “What’s the worst that could happen?” That simple question got me thinking. What was I really afraid of losing by trying something new? It wasn’t an immediate revelation, but it planted a seed. I decided to challenge myself: to share my thoughts, my experiences, and my work—not to prove anything, but to learn and grow through this journey. And so, here I am—taking the leap.
From Ads to Apps: How I Found My Path in Design
My journey into design didn’t start with sketchbooks or wireframes; it started in the fast-paced world of marketing. Fresh out of university, I worked on campaigns for big clients like Porsche and Vodafone. I loved the creative problem-solving, but something was missing.
In a meeting about interactive displays for Vodafone, our Creative Director asked, “What problem are we solving for the user?” That simple question reframed everything for me. I started to think less about what we wanted users to see and more about what they actually needed.
It didn’t take long for me to realise marketing wasn’t where I belonged. I wanted to create solutions that added real value to people’s lives. UX design wasn’t widely recognised at the time, but after watching Steve Jobs’ famous iPhone speech, I knew that this was the field for me.
I saved up for a master’s degree in User Experience Engineering. Transitioning wasn’t easy—balancing studies, work, and the fear of starting over was overwhelming at times. But it was a decision that set me on a path that finally felt aligned with my purpose.
When Accessibility Opened My Eyes
One module during my master’s programme completely shifted my perspective. Assistive Technology, taught by the inspiring Annalu Waller, introduced me to a world I hadn’t considered before. Until then, I was unaware of how many barriers existed for people with disabilities.
The course wasn’t just theoretical. We visited research hospitals, explored real tools, and spoke to users about their experiences. It was both humbling and energising. For my thesis, I designed a tool to support individuals with dyspraxia—a project that made me realise the power of inclusive design.
Accessibility has since become a cornerstone of my career. At People’s Postcode Lottery, I led audits, redesigned components, and championed inclusive practices. It’s an ongoing journey, and while there’s always more to learn, every small improvement brings us closer to building technology that serves everyone.
Learning the Hard Way: Collaboration is Key
Early in my career, I worked at a startup designing geospatial software. The team had never worked with a designer before, and as a fairly fresh UX professional, I was eager to prove myself. I walked into a meeting with wireframes ready to present, only to have a developer pick them apart. My initial reaction was defensive, but I soon realised the real issue wasn’t the wireframes. It was that I hadn’t involved the team early enough, and they didn’t feel part of the process.
That experience taught me that collaboration starts with inclusion. After that, I made it a point to involve the whole team from the beginning. Workshops became a key part of my process, where we brainstormed together and openly shared ideas. The result? Better designs, stronger relationships, and a much happier team.
Making an Impact: The Project That Stuck With Me
The most rewarding part of design is seeing it make a real difference. One project that stands out for me is Isolation Plus, a tool I worked on during COVID-19 in collaboration with the European Space Agency. Its goal was to use satellite data to identify vulnerable people in isolation and connect them with volunteers who could help.
These vulnerable people weren’t always easy to reach. Some were dealing with fuel poverty or living in areas with little greenery—factors we could identify using satellite imagery. The data helped organisations reach out to people who might not even know support systems existed or were too ashamed to ask for help.
I’ll never forget sitting with a nonprofit director who used the software. He explained how it allowed his team to spend less time searching for people and more time actually helping them. Hearing how this tool impacted lives reminded me why I design: to create solutions that make a difference, not just for users, but for the communities they serve.
What’s Next?
This is just the beginning. I’ll keep writing about the projects I’m working on, the lessons I’m learning, and the ideas I’m exploring.
To aspiring designers: stay curious, be resilient, and don’t shy away from sharing your own stories. Every experience—good or bad—shapes the future of design. Let’s grow, learn, and create together.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. My next posts will likely be shorter. 🙂