"Good design is long-lasting - Dieter Rams"

My path into design started after completing my studies in Management and Corporate Branding. I was always drawn to the visual and strategic side of how brands communicate, so in 2014 I began experimenting with Photoshop, back when designers mostly shared PSD files. As design tools evolved, I transitioned to Sketch, and later to Figma when it launched in 2016.

Over time, what started as curiosity became a real passion for crafting digital experiences. I joined Creative Tim, where I designed templates, dashboards, and mobile apps used by over two million developers and designers worldwide. That experience helped me grow from working on visuals to thinking about systems, usability, and product impact.

In my role as a designer, I’m responsible for creating intuitive, functional, and visually balanced digital products, from dashboards and templates to mobile app interfaces. My process involves understanding user needs, defining design systems, and ensuring consistency across components and platforms.

I collaborate closely with developers to make sure designs translate seamlessly into code, while keeping accessibility and performance in mind. Beyond the visuals, I see design as problem-solving, aligning business goals with user experience through structure, clarity, and emotion.

My first major project was IRADesign, an open-source library of customizable illustrations that empowers designers and developers to create beautiful interfaces faster. Building that project taught me the value of community-driven design and the impact of accessible visual resources.

I’ve also written and published two books Fundamentals of Creating a Great UI/UX and Roots of UI/UX Design. These books are aimed at beginner UI/UX designers and developers who want to better understand design principles and the user experience behind their code. Both are available in ebook and physical editions, with over 800 readers worldwide.

Sharing knowledge has become an important part of my role, because I believe design grows stronger when ideas are shared openly.

One of the main challenges I encounter is balancing creativity with usability, making sure a design feels fresh and visually appealing while staying functional and easy to use.

Another difficulty is keeping consistency across large design systems, especially when multiple designers and developers are involved. Aligning visual style, interaction patterns, and code implementation requires constant communication and attention to detail.

Also, design tools and trends evolve quickly. I started in Photoshop, then moved to Sketch, and now Figma, so staying adaptable and continuously learning new workflows is essential. It’s challenging, but it’s also one of the things that keeps design exciting.

I see design tools and apps as extensions of my thinking process. They help me move ideas from concept to reality efficiently.

For instance, I use Figma for everything from wireframes to high-fidelity prototypes, it’s where I structure design systems, collaborate with developers, and test layouts in real time. I often complement Figma with other tools like OpenAI, Notion or FigJam for brainstorming, Illustrator or Photoshop for graphic elements.

The apps themselves don’t define the creativity, they support it. I choose and combine them depending on the project’s complexity, always aiming to keep the process simple, transparent, and collaborative.

I’d tell my younger self to focus less on perfecting the visuals and more on understanding why things are designed a certain way. Design isn’t just about making things look good, it’s about solving problems and creating meaning for people.

I’d also remind myself not to rush. Every tool, from Photoshop to Figma, is just a language, what really matters is learning to think like a designer: to observe, question, and empathize.

One quote that has always stayed with me comes from Dieter Rams, who said, “Good design is as little design as possible.” It’s a reminder that simplicity is not about doing less, but about removing the unnecessary so what truly matters can stand out.

And finally, I’d say: don’t be afraid to share your work early. Feedback, even uncomfortable feedback, is what turns a good designer into a great one. Stay curious, keep experimenting, and remember that design is a continuous learning process, not a finish line.

I wouldn’t say I have regrets, more like lessons I wish I had learned earlier. In the beginning, I was very focused on tools and visuals, spending hours perfecting pixels instead of understanding the why behind design decisions. Looking back, I realize that true design impact comes from clarity, not complexity.

Every step, from working in Photoshop to Sketch and now Figma, from static mockups to full design systems, has taught me that growth in design isn’t linear. It’s built on experiments, mistakes, and moments of doubt that quietly shape your perspective.

I stay inspired by constantly observing how design shapes the world around us, not just in digital products, but in nature, architecture, music, and everyday objects. Inspiration often comes from details that most people overlook: a clear layout in a metro map, a well-balanced typeface, or how light interacts with a simple form.

Collaboration also keeps me inspired. Working with developers and other designers at Creative Tim exposed me to different perspectives and problem-solving approaches.

In recent years, AI has become a big part of my inspiration process. I see it as a creative partner, a way to explore directions faster, test variations, or spark ideas I might not have considered on my own. But I always remind myself: AI can generate, but it can’t feel. The human side of design, empathy, intuition, storytelling, is what gives meaning to what we create.