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"Good design solves problems. Great design makes you forget they existed."

K

Kavé Smailey

Iran
Product Designer at Darbast

Last updated on 17 Feb, 2025

Portfolio cover image of Kavé Smailey

What apps do you use to help you design?

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe XD

Adobe XD

Figma

Figma

Sketch

Sketch

How did you get started in your role as a designer?

It all goes back to my childhood—painting and building with bricks were my favorite things to do. I was always drawn to explore and creating something from scratch, whether it was a drawing or a structure. That passion grew with me over the years.

After earning my associate degree in Graphic Design, I started my career as a graphic designer. I loved storytelling, shaping brands, and crafting visuals, but I wanted to go beyond visuals. I wanted to design products that people actually interact with.

So in 2016, I made the switch from graphic design to UX design and dived deep into the world of digital products to find clues. That shift completely changed my path. Fast forward to now, I’m the co-founder and product designer at Darbast, a ride-hailing startup.

Now, I don’t just design visuals; I shape experiences.

What are the responsibilities of your role as a designer?

It’s about uncovering the real-world problems and solving it. As a detective, I start by diving deep into the user’s pain points and needs, then craft solutions that truly make a difference. I truly believe that the key to great design lies in properly identifying and understanding the problem first. Once that’s clear, I can apply any UX approach to design, test, and deliver a solution that works.

Collaboration is key to making things happen. I work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that my design vision aligns with the product’s goals and user needs. It’s all about teamwork—bringing everyone together to turn an idea into a cohesive product.

In short, my role as a designer is about finding the right solutions, telling the brand story through visuals, and creating meaningful experiences that people love to use. And, of course, continuously learning and evolving to stay ahead of the curve.

What difficulties do you encounter in your role as a designer?

Come’on, difficulties are part of the job, and we love them! We’re built for finding solutions to problems, difficulties, and any barriers. When something feels challenging, it’s just another puzzle to solve. Whether it’s a tricky design problem or an unexpected obstacle, we’re always figuring out creative ways to work through it.

So, while difficulties pop up now and then, they don’t really slow us down. They’re just opportunities to think outside the box and come up with even better solutions!

How do you incorporate the apps in your design process?

For me, these apps are just tools that help me bring my solutions to life and communicate them with the development team. The real magic happens beyond the apps.

Sometimes, people think that just learning how to use Figma or another tool makes them a designer, but that’s not the case. It’s not about the tool—it’s about understanding the design process and improving your problem-solving skills.

My advice? Don’t focus on mastering the apps. Instead, focus on honing your soft skills, like communication and empathy. Designers aren’t just tool operators—they’re problem solvers and storytellers.

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

First, turn on your inner detective. Don’t just look—observe. Don’t just listen—understand. Take in everything happening around you.

Second, fall in love with problems, not solutions. It’s the challenge of solving real-world problems.

Third, treat yourself like a product. Identify your own “bugs,” work to fix them, and always strive to improve. Self-growth is just as important as growing in your craft!

Fourth, never forget design ethics. Integrity is key in everything we do, from design decisions to how we work with people.

And finally, don’t be a SUX Designer. Inclusive design should be at the core of everything we do—because we’re designing for everyone, not just a select few.

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

Definitely not!

I was born to design. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing people use a product I designed and knowing it helps solve their problems. That’s what keeps me going every day!

As a designer how do you stay inspired?

I find inspiration in the world around me—just watching, listening, and talking to people. Real-life interactions spark the best ideas.

And then there’s nature—the ultimate designer. Sometimes, all it takes is watching an ant overcome obstacles to remind me that anything is possible.

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