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People ignore design that ignores people.

– Frank Chimero

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Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works. 

– Steve Jobs

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Usability is about people and how they understand and use things, not about technology.

– Steve Krug

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While pursuing a master’s degree in Translation and Interpreting with a focus on Translation for the Professions at the University of Illinois, I stumbled upon product design—a serendipitous encounter that sparked a profound shift in my career trajectory. Surrounded by sketches and mockups of digital and tangible products adorning the halls outside classrooms, I felt a stirring curiosity that led me to delve deeper into the realm of UX design. My initial exposure to design principles during my tenure at a translation services company, where I found joy in desktop publishing using InDesign, revealed striking parallels between translation and UX design: both disciplines involve understanding target audiences, conducting meticulous research, and refining work to perfection.

Acquiring the skills and tools for a creative career has been one of my greatest accomplishments. Over the past four years, I've had the privilege of working alongside talented designers, creative teams, and successful organizations. Switching careers to become a designer has been the best decision of my adult years, bringing a depth of fulfillment and joy that is unparalleled.

I cherish the opportunity to use logic, data, and imagination to craft products that connect us all. Much like the UX design process, my journey mirrors the constant refining of a design until it reaches perfection. I resonate with Michelangelo's words, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." My personal evolution has been a continuous process of carving away the excess to reveal my true passions.

As I reflect on these transformative years, I find immense satisfaction in being a designer. Collaborating with talented teams and contributing to successful, sometimes well-known, organizations has not only affirmed my decision but has also deepened my love for this career.

In the words of George Eliot, "It's never too late to be what you might have been," and I've found my authentic inclination as a designer.