"I blend UX, data, and growth strategy to turn good apps into great businesses."

Sofia Mateo Ortega

Product Designer at Growth Garage

Last updated on 7 Sep, 2025

Portfolio cover image of Sofia Mateo Ortega

What apps do you use to help you design?

ChatGPT

Claude

Figma

Lovable

Magic Patterns

What books do you recommend?

Burn Your Portfolio

Diseño desde Marte

Start With Why

Steal Like an Artist

The Design of Everyday Things

UX Strategy

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

I started my career in marketing and communication, but after several years I realized I was most passionate about the product side—understanding users, solving problems, and making digital experiences smoother. That curiosity led me to specialize in UX/UI and product design, where I could combine creativity with strategy.

What are the responsibilities of your role as a designer?

My role sits at the intersection of design and growth. I focus on improving onboarding flows, paywalls, and conversion touchpoints, but I also handle design systems and user journeys at scale. That means I’m responsible for making products not only beautiful and usable, but also effective in driving business results.

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

One of the main challenges is balancing user needs with business goals. It’s easy to design something delightful, but harder to ensure it aligns with revenue objectives. Another difficulty is managing feedback—design is subjective, and it requires strong communication to explain the “why” behind decisions.

How do you incorporate the apps in your design process?

I work a lot in back-and-forth with AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude — they’re almost like sparring partners for thinking through flows, writing copy, or testing different onboarding strategies. For quick prototyping I use tools like Magic Patterns and Lovable, which let me go from idea to interface in minutes, so I can validate concepts fast. I also dedicate time to downloading and trying other apps, checking examples, and seeing how different teams solve similar problems. That mix of AI collaboration, rapid prototyping, and competitive research keeps my process both fast and grounded in real-world patterns.

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

Start small and ship fast. Don’t wait until everything feels perfect—your growth will come from testing ideas in real projects, not just courses. Also, document your process early; being able to show how you think is just as valuable as the final UI.

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

Not really regrets, but I sometimes wish I had transitioned earlier. That said, my years in marketing gave me an edge—understanding growth, communication, and strategy makes me a stronger product designer today.

As a designer how do you stay inspired?

I stay inspired by constantly feeding my curiosity. I spend a lot of time downloading and exploring different apps just to see how they approach onboarding, paywalls, or microinteractions. I also read a lot—articles, case studies, newsletters, and platforms like Mobbin and Refero are part of my daily routine. On top of that, traveling and trying new things outside of work, like surfing or climbing, give me fresh perspectives that I bring back into my design practice. It’s that mix of research, exploration, and real-life experiences that keeps my ideas flowing.