Hi, my name is Helena!
Here is the story of how I became a UX/UI Designer
"Becoming a UX/UI designer wasn't just a career choice, it was a personal transformation. It wasn't about fulfilling my parents' dreams of a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. It was about defying those expectations and embracing the person I was meant to be.
Sure, I'm not fighting diseases or arguing legal cases. But in my own way, I fight for clarity and usability, advocating for the user's experience. I defend my design choices, ensuring every click and interaction feels intuitive and solves a problem. I'm not fixing bridges or engines, but I'm crafting experiences that bridge the gap between user and technology, and that's a problem worth solving every single day"
Before UX
My early years were a mix of fashion shows with Barbies and epic battles with Legos. While everyone around me said "Legos are for boys," my love for those tiny bricks only grew stronger. I sketched elaborate outfits and accessories for Minifigs, trading designs with friends in secret. It was a hidden world of creativity fueled by rebellion. When I moved to America at ten, drawing became my refuge. Although I dreamed of becoming an artist, my mom’s discouraging words about it not being a "real job" led me to focus on academics. Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer—these were the paths I was guided towards. My fear of needles ruled out medicine, and the law didn’t resonate with me. Engineering, then, seemed the most practical choice. High school introduced me to engineering through an elective, and Mr. Harris’s after-school web design class ignited my passion for design. Photoshop and Dreamweaver opened up a new world of possibilities. But as college approached, my dad’s reality check made me prioritize academics over my creative interests. Despite excelling in math and physics, my passion for design faded into a distant memory. At Cal Poly Pomona, studying electromechanical engineering felt like following a prescribed path. The death of a close friend shook me deeply and made me reevaluate my choices. I realized I was living out my parents' dreams, not my own. This epiphany led me to enroll in a community college, explore various tech fields, and eventually discover UX/UI design.
During UX
Scrolling through TikTok one day, I stumbled upon a video about UX/UI design. It was a revelation—combining creativity with tech seemed perfect for me! I dove into research and, despite the challenge of convincing my parents, I pursued a bootcamp at UCI. Late nights became my norm, and tools like Figma felt like rediscovering a long-lost joy from my web design days with Mr. Harris. This was it—design was my true calling.
Why UX/UI?
Beyond the technical skills, another invaluable experience shaped my design philosophy – tutoring kids. Patience wasn't just a virtue in those sessions, it was a necessity. Tailoring explanations, simplifying instructions, and celebrating small victories – these became my tools to navigate the world of learning from different perspectives. This translated beautifully into my design. Just like my students, users come with a spectrum of needs and comfort levels with technology. My tutoring experience instilled in me the importance of an open mind and active listening. It's not just about creating something cool; it's about creating something that caters to everyone. Every frustrated click, every confused expression during a tutoring session became a reminder of the importance of intuitive and user-friendly design. It's about building interfaces that not only function flawlessly but also feel welcoming and accessible, regardless of a user's technical background.
Hobbies
Today, my Lego collection reflects my childhood passion, and my hobbies include snowboarding, cooking, and traveling. Snowboarding keeps me active, cooking brings joy to others, and traveling broadens my perspective. These experiences enrich my life and my approach to design, reminding me of the importance of staying active, exploring new things, and remaining open to new experiences.
"Becoming a UX/UI designer wasn't just a career choice, it was a personal transformation. It wasn't about fulfilling my parents' dreams of a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. It was about defying those expectations and embracing the person I was meant to be.
Sure, I'm not fighting diseases or arguing legal cases. But in my own way, I fight for clarity and usability, advocating for the user's experience. I defend my design choices, ensuring every click and interaction feels intuitive and solves a problem. I'm not fixing bridges or engines, but I'm crafting experiences that bridge the gap between user and technology, and that's a problem worth solving every single day"
Before UX
My early years were a mix of fashion shows with Barbies and epic battles with Legos. While everyone around me said "Legos are for boys," my love for those tiny bricks only grew stronger. I sketched elaborate outfits and accessories for Minifigs, trading designs with friends in secret. It was a hidden world of creativity fueled by rebellion. When I moved to America at ten, drawing became my refuge. Although I dreamed of becoming an artist, my mom’s discouraging words about it not being a "real job" led me to focus on academics. Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer—these were the paths I was guided towards. My fear of needles ruled out medicine, and the law didn’t resonate with me. Engineering, then, seemed the most practical choice. High school introduced me to engineering through an elective, and Mr. Harris’s after-school web design class ignited my passion for design. Photoshop and Dreamweaver opened up a new world of possibilities. But as college approached, my dad’s reality check made me prioritize academics over my creative interests. Despite excelling in math and physics, my passion for design faded into a distant memory. At Cal Poly Pomona, studying electromechanical engineering felt like following a prescribed path. The death of a close friend shook me deeply and made me reevaluate my choices. I realized I was living out my parents' dreams, not my own. This epiphany led me to enroll in a community college, explore various tech fields, and eventually discover UX/UI design.
During UX
Scrolling through TikTok one day, I stumbled upon a video about UX/UI design. It was a revelation—combining creativity with tech seemed perfect for me! I dove into research and, despite the challenge of convincing my parents, I pursued a bootcamp at UCI. Late nights became my norm, and tools like Figma felt like rediscovering a long-lost joy from my web design days with Mr. Harris. This was it—design was my true calling.
Why UX/UI?
Beyond the technical skills, another invaluable experience shaped my design philosophy – tutoring kids. Patience wasn't just a virtue in those sessions, it was a necessity. Tailoring explanations, simplifying instructions, and celebrating small victories – these became my tools to navigate the world of learning from different perspectives. This translated beautifully into my design. Just like my students, users come with a spectrum of needs and comfort levels with technology. My tutoring experience instilled in me the importance of an open mind and active listening. It's not just about creating something cool; it's about creating something that caters to everyone. Every frustrated click, every confused expression during a tutoring session became a reminder of the importance of intuitive and user-friendly design. It's about building interfaces that not only function flawlessly but also feel welcoming and accessible, regardless of a user's technical background.
Hobbies
Today, my Lego collection reflects my childhood passion, and my hobbies include snowboarding, cooking, and traveling. Snowboarding keeps me active, cooking brings joy to others, and traveling broadens my perspective. These experiences enrich my life and my approach to design, reminding me of the importance of staying active, exploring new things, and remaining open to new experiences.
Thank you!
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you!
Looking forward to hearing from you.