A left-handed engineer: pt.3
Thinking like a designer
I was always into tech. I enjoyed spending time with technology, understanding how it works, and how we use it every day. This curiosity towards technology led me to pursue my bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, followed by two years working as a developer. During these two years, it became clear that I was more interested in how people use and experience digital products. I was less interested in coding them. Around the same time, I was also working as a freelance web designer. Looking back, I can see how my engineering mindset was slowly changing and adopting more humane, non-binary values. I was slowly getting familiar with the world of design. Words like usability, accessibility, empathy, feelings, needs, experience were gradually becoming more present in my everyday life. I was reading more books and articles about design, listening to design talks and podcasts. Every day I would learn something new and exciting. Every day I was more aware of the design, and what it meant as a process.
Soon after, I picked my master’s degree. Still in the field of computer engineering, but heavily focused on the human side. The track was called Communication and society. I knew this was the right bridge to cross in expanding my user-centered mindset. Courses like Professional communication, Information and communication quality, and Accessibility completely shifted my perspective on how I see the world today. During my master’s studies, I worked as a web designer for the first time. I learned so much about startups, teamwork, the product development process, and much more. I acquired and improved skills that you would never do as a freelancer.
The biggest turning point in my life (both personal and professional) came when my girlfriend (now my wife and a mother) got offered her Ph.D. position at EPFL. I decided to move to Switzerland and took the chance to build a life together. Knowing how expensive was Switzerland, and the fact that one Ph.D. salary was not enough to have a comfortable life together, I immediately started looking for a job. I spent quite some time collecting and putting all of my work together, which turned into my very first portfolio. I updated my LinkedIn profile. I removed many references related to coding. At that point, my profile resembled more the person I aspire to be, rather than who I was. And it felt right because I knew it was the right path for me. A few weeks later, I landed my first job as a UX Designer. In my first interview. Back then, I didn’t know anything about the world of UX. But I felt ready to take on the challenge. I remember fondly having this immense confidence, will, and desire for success, which always kept me going forward.
Today, I am grateful to all the people that have helped me, trusted me, and believed in me during the past ten years or so. I would not be the person I am today if people didn’t give me chances. I hope one day to have more chances given than chances received.
Back to pt.2
