20 March 2023
Senior Product Designer, Money Fellows
Aya's background in fine arts prepared her to pursue a career in digital design. She is now working with teams to transform complex problems into efficient, user-friendly systems, and giving back to the design community by mentoring other designers.
BY MITCHELLE CHIBUNDU
Tell us about your current role and the most rewarding part of your work
I am a Senior product designer at Money Fellows. Product design is a highly rewarding career path with numerous benefits. We have the ability to solve real-world problems and make a positive impact on people's lives. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, learning from diverse backgrounds, and seeing designs in the hands of users are also highly rewarding aspects of the job. Additionally, it is an ever-evolving field, providing opportunities for constant learning and growth in technical skills and understanding of user needs and behaviours.
I studied Fine Arts for five years and pursued painting as my full-time job for a year.
What did you do before what you stated above?
For those who have studied fine arts, pursuing a career in design can be an attractive option. It allows for the continuation of creative expression while developing new skills in the digital realm. With the increasing demand for skilled professionals in digital design, combining a background in fine arts and digital design skills can lead to success.
What inspired you to pursue a career in design?
I'm proud of my achievements in my design career. Starting in January 2022 and for six months, I was able to revamp the delivery management system for my previous company, streamlining the process and reducing errors. It was challenging, but I collaborated with the development and product teams to create an efficient and user-friendly system. Seeing the positive impact it had on our operations was rewarding.
I've started giving back to the design community by mentoring other designers on ADPlist. As someone who has significantly benefited from mentorship and guidance throughout my career, I'm passionate about helping others grow and develop skills. Connecting with other designers and sharing my knowledge and experiences with them has been excellent. Seeing their progress and success is truly fulfilling.
Overall, I'm proud to have designed and contributed to projects that have positively impacted both the product and the wider design community. These experiences have reminded me of the importance of pushing myself out of my comfort zone, collaborating with others, and giving back whenever possible.
What is something you designed, built or contributed to that you’re utmostly proud of?
Exploring art galleries, experiencing new adventures while travelling, and Latin dance are all great ways to enjoy my free time. Art galleries allow me to appreciate different styles and interpretations of art and can also be a great way to learn about other cultures and historical periods. Travelling is a chance to broaden my horizons, meet new people, and immerse myself in new experiences and environments. And Latin dance, with its vibrant music and energetic movements, is a fun and engaging way to stay active and connect with others.
How do you enjoy spending your time when you’re not working?
My work in digital product design has a significant impact on the larger community or ecosystem in several ways:
Improved accessibility: Digital product design can help make products and services more accessible to a broader range of people, including those with disabilities or who live in remote areas. By designing with accessibility in mind, digital products can help ensure everyone can benefit from the latest technologies and innovations.
Economic growth: Digital product design can also positively impact the economy, creating new jobs and driving innovation. By designing products that meet the needs of businesses and consumers, digital product designers can help drive economic growth and create opportunities for individuals and communities.
Social impact: Digital product design can also have a significant social impact by helping to address critical social issues, such as healthcare and education. By designing products that improve access to healthcare or enhance educational opportunities, digital product designers can help promote social equity and improve the quality of life for individuals and communities.
How has your work impacted the larger community or ecosystem?
“Companies can take several steps to prioritise inclusion, such as diversity and inclusion training, user research, accessibility testing, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. These steps can help ensure that products are designed with the requirements and perspectives of all users in mind.”
Several actions could be taken to increase the visibility of women in design, including promoting and highlighting female designers, providing mentoring and networking opportunities, addressing gender bias in hiring and promotion practises, and encouraging female designers to share their work via online platforms and industry events. We can create a more diverse and inclusive design industry that benefits everyone if we actively support and provide equal opportunities for female designers.
What, in your opinion, should be done to make more women in design visible?
Inclusion is crucial in the design industry to create accessible, usable, and relevant products and services for a diverse range of users. Prioritising inclusion promotes social equity and builds a more diverse and inclusive design community. Companies can take several steps to prioritise inclusion, such as diversity and inclusion training, user research, accessibility testing, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. These steps can help ensure that products are designed with the requirements and perspectives of all users in mind.
What role does inclusion play in the design industry, and how can companies better prioritise it?
The future of design is likely to be shaped by several factors, including technological advances, changes in user behaviour and expectations, and a growing awareness of the importance of sustainability and social responsibility. Some of the key trends that are likely to shape the industry in the coming decade include:
Increased use of AI and automation: As AI and automation technologies continue to evolve, they are likely to impact the design industry significantly. These technologies can help designers automate repetitive tasks, generate new ideas, and analyse user data to inform design decisions.
More emphasis on user-centred design: User-centered design, which involves designing products and services with the needs and preferences of users in mind, is likely to become even more critical in the coming decade. As users become more sophisticated and demanding, designers will need to focus on creating experiences that are intuitive, engaging, and tailored to their specific needs.
Increased collaboration and co-design: Collaboration and co-design, which involve working with stakeholders and users to co-create products and services, will likely become even more critical in the coming decade. This can help ensure that products are designed with users' needs in mind and that their perspectives and experiences are reflected in the design.
How do you envision the industry evolving in the next decade?
It’s okay to make mistakes and seek mentorship, regardless of experience level. I used to feel pressure to be flawless and never ask for help, but now I realise that mistakes are part of learning and mentorship can help one grow. I now mentor younger designers and seek guidance from colleagues to become a more confident and effective designer.
Is there something you know now, that you wish you knew at the beginning of your career?
An interesting and possibly unexpected fact about me is that I love to travel and explore new places. Immersing myself in a new culture and experiencing all the sights, sounds, and flavours of a different country makes my heart sing. Another hobby that I enjoy and might come as a surprise is cooking. It is a creative outlet, and I love experimenting with new recipes and ingredients to create delicious dishes. Whether whipping up a quick weeknight dinner or spending a lazy Sunday afternoon trying out a new recipe, cooking is relaxing and rewarding.
What is an interesting and possibly unexpected fact about you?
I would wear a tailored dark olive suit with a midi skirt paired with closed-toe nude colour heels while adding a small necklace and a black purse.
What would you wear to a meeting that could potentially change your life?
Take time to reflect on what you're good at and what you enjoy doing. It's essential to focus on your strengths and build on them rather than getting bogged down by areas where you may need help. Pursuing a career in design can be challenging, and it may take time to achieve your goals. Be patient with yourself and keep pushing forward, even when faced with setbacks or obstacles
What advice would you give to other women pursuing a design career who feel stuck in the journey?
Continue reading
Omobolanle Banwo
Her passion for design led her to start
The Female Design Movement which has trained over 3,000 women for free since
2018, with a goal to empower 50,000
women in the next decade. Her efforts have created a ripple effect, as her trainees have gone on to launch their design careers, impacting the lives of other women in their communities.