My story | K.I.S.S.

From a graphic designer to a UX designer

People used to call me a difficult customer because I always looked for ways to improve the functionality of a product. I have worked as a graphic designer for 8 years. I like to make things pretty and sexy, but I always question “will this work?”

One of the design principles I use all the time:

“K.I.S.S.” Keep It Simple and Sexy.

I used to work as a graphic designer for an indoor gardening company. I remember this one time someone wanted a fancy logo with a super-detailed leaf.

I was like, "This would look great on the screen, but in print those small details could be an issue. It may not print correctly or it will increase the costs."

A great visual design that is not usable, is not good design.

Two square images side by side, both with a cannabis leaf and the text "i love gardening" below. the left image has a red "x" and the right image has a green check mark.

Comparing two versions of a leaf illustration with the text "I LOVE GARDENING" underneath each. The left one features a detailed, outlined leaf with veins. The right one shows a simple, solid-coloured leaf.

Back in 2017, my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu friend Kyle was doing UX research at AGL. I was talking with him about his job and was amazed and inspired with what he does. I realised this is exactly what I have been wanting to do!

He tried to hook me up with some UX jobs, but I wasn’t confident enough yet to take on a UX role with only my graphic design background.

Surprise online course

I started to realise that I have been doing some UX thinking without knowing it. That’s when my partner noticed my lack of confidence and surprised me with an online UX course. Yes, he’s a keeper.

Two people posing as letters. The person on the left forms a "U" with their arms, while the person on the right forms an "X" by crossing their arms.

Two people stand side by side, posing as letters. I’m on the left with my arms curved into a “U.” Kyle is on the right, crossing his arms to create an “X.”

After spending a few hours on an online UX course, it changed the way I see things. I couldn’t imagine how great I could be after finishing the whole online course (I still had 10+ hours to go).

However, the hardest part of online study is that I get distracted.

Quit my graphic design job

So, I decided to quit my job at the time and do a full time UX course in person.

It was one of the hardest but best decisions I've made in my life because we've become besties over the years but I knew I had to follow my passion.

A group of colleagues stands together in an office. I’m holding a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates.

Applied for the wrong job

A month after finishing the course, my friend told me her company was looking for a 'UI and front end developer' and introduced me to Tony.

Then I sent my portfolio to Tony and told him I don't know any coding but I can do amazing UI and UX.

A few days later, I got a call for an interview and I went through 3 rounds of interview in the same day, and I got the job as a Product Design Consultant at Kiandra IT, a software consulting company.

This is where I met my superstar mentor, Damien. He is very funny and knowledgable.

🏆 The first project we worked on together was TasWater H2GO, in Launceston won an TasICT Excellence Award.

Demo and I stand smiling in an office. He is holding a small device and wearing a white shirt with yellow banana patterns. I’m holding a yellow folder and wearing a banana hairband.

In 2019, I did my first regional community design workshop in Wagga Wagga to promote STEM.

At the end, hearing a few girls express their interest in becoming "tech girls" when they grew up was incredibly rewarding, especially after the 5 hour drive.

A few months later, I did another 'Girl-in-tech workshop', teaching the 'future makers' how to design a homepage to sell 'unicorn robot'. Some girls even designed a logo for their online store. I was truly inspired by these amazing young ladies.

Children are sitting around a table in a classroom, holding up their drawings and tablets displaying artwork.

A mockup design showing a transition from a child's drawing to a polished homepage for a toy unicorn named "Sparkles."

A transition from a child's drawing to a website homepage, selling a unicorn robot named "Sparkles."

'Girl-in-tech' design workshop

UX makes me a better person

I used to make fun of my mum (just a little bit) when I had to teach her a new technology (e.g. using a new app or online shopping. Sorry, mum!).

The last time she was having difficulty with a website, I said to her, “this is not your fault. It’s the stupid website, not you.”

Mum looked at me with a funny face and thought I was still making fun of her, but then I explained to her about what a good User Experience is. After that day, I have noticed my mum started using her computer more. I have encouraged her not be scared of new technology.

UX has also taught me that when there is a problem, do not focus on solutions, focus on the root of the problem.

If you ask 10 UX designers what UX is, you will get 10 different answers.

I say: "UX is what makes a product useful. It meets the user’s needs. It's easy to use. It's delightful to interact with. It helps users make decisions quicker and it solves problems through empathy."

I tell my mum that: "Good UX is something that makes her life easier. While using a product, she doesn’t have to think too much and it might make her smile".

So what is UX?

I am still a difficult customer but people now call me a UX / UI or product designer instead.

Since COVID, I have focused on ethical design, helping companies grow sustainably through ethical practices while avoiding manipulative design or dark patterns that could put the business at legal risk.

I also enjoy giving lectures at universities and sharing the importance of ethical and responsible design with future designers.

I will continue to challenge those big companies that use manipulative design and demonstrate that ethical design is the better long-term approach for both users and businesses.