20 March 2023
Product Designer, Zalando
Elizabeth has worked on a range of exciting projects, including the emblem for Pope Francis's visit to Kenya and the Co-operative Bank of Kenya's omnichannel banking platform.
She is making a difference with her innovative ideas and dedication to user experience.
BY MITCHELLE CHIBUNDU
Tell us about your current role and the most rewarding part of your work
I’m a Product Designer at Zalando. Designing size recommendations for users on the Zalando Fashion app. The most rewarding part is when users interact with the mobile applications I have designed, from beginning to end, without having any experience issues or difficulties.
I was a UI/UX designer at the Co-operative Bank of Kenya.
What did you do before what you stated above?
I got into design not only to make beautiful things but also to make the design more interactive for the end user. In the early stages of my career as a graphic designer, I wanted to improve at making useful, usable, and desirable objects. But as the years have gone, my exploration has gone deeper, innovating new ideas with the things I design for users.
What inspired you to pursue a career in design?
Co-operative bank of Kenya mobile retail banking app, which we went live in 2020.
What is something you designed, built or contributed to that you’re utmostly proud of?
I enjoy going on road trips with my family and shooting videos for our Youtube channel, The Rajore Clan.
How do you enjoy spending your time when you’re not working?
I designed Pope Francis's visit logo to Kenya in 2015. The emblem was and is still used in all items referring to the historic visit. I was part of the team that designed the omnichannel banking platform for the Co-operative Bank of Kenya. The platform helps to transfer and receive money from anywhere in the world.
I am part of the Size and Fit team at Zalando that designs size recommendations for users on the platform. This team helps users easily purchase items according to their size recommendations.
How has your work impacted the larger community or ecosystem?
“Companies must tap into collective intelligence to maximise the potential of every person in the company for business growth. Inclusion is not a hard thing to do; it’s a human thing to do.”
More women are graduating from universities worldwide as either UX, UI, Fashion or Graphic designers than men, but only a sizeable number are leaders in the design industry. Female designers must be vocal about their work, volunteer to give talks and get on judging panels to help other designers grow and be noticed in their field.
Giving women a platform to discuss design topics broadly will help steer the conversation more. It will reach a wide range of audience and will impact and change the narrative of women in design.
What, in your opinion, should be done to make more women in design visible?
Inclusion at the workplace makes everyone feel equally involved in and supported in all work areas. This is very critical for success. That said, companies must tap into collective intelligence to maximise the potential of every person in the company for business growth. Inclusion is not a hard thing to do; it's a human thing to do.
What role does inclusion play in the design industry, and how can companies better prioritise it?
In the future, we need to improve at designing things that don’t negatively impact the environment but create positive effects that regenerate our world. Come up with ideas that help bring awareness to the world, making it a better place.
How do you envision the industry evolving in the next decade?
Elizabeth’s happy face photo
Everything takes time, and the challenges I have gone through or will go through are all part of the journey. That said, during the years, I have learnt and grown in my career.
Is there something you know now, that you wish you knew at the beginning of your career?
I relocated with my two toddlers and hubby to Germany, having yet to leave my home country Kenya, to start a new life and career journey in 2022. I am also passionate about mentorship. Being able to mentor other designers and guide them on how to get a step ahead in their careers.
What is an interesting and possibly unexpected fact about you?
I would wear a cute black dress with heels and a colourful blazer on top that is unique to get attention from the room and to have them remember me when I leave.
What would you wear to a meeting that could potentially change your life?
Life is a journey and not a race. You compete with yourself and not anyone else. Never give up and keep showing up to work; one day, your breakthrough will come.
What advice would you give to other women pursuing a design career who feel stuck in the journey?
Continue reading
Oluwatoyin Fari
Fari is a multi-talented UX Designer at Booking.com, whose career path has taken her from studying pharmacy to pursuing computer science and eventually discovering her passion for design. Today, she is making waves in the industry by creating products that impact people's lives.