From industrial design to digital interfaces: My journey and insights
Have you ever looked at an ordinary object and envisioned its extraordinary potential? That's the magic that drives me, myself Anjum Lakhani, a designer with an insatiable curiosity and a relentless drive to transform ideas into reality. My journey through the world of design has been anything but linear, but that's what makes it so exciting!
As Charles Eames said, "The role of the designer is to see more than other people see."
That's the motto I've tried to live by throughout my career, and it's led me down some pretty amazing paths, from sketching product designs to crafting user experiences in the digital realm.
A Childhood Fascination with How Things Work
My passion for design blossomed in my childhood. I was constantly tinkering with things, taking them apart and putting them back together, always fascinated by how objects worked and how they could be improved. This innate curiosity fueled my desire to pursue a career in design, leading me to MIT Institute of Design, a prestigious design school in India.
From Sketching Products to Crafting Tangible Realities
Ever since I was a kid, I've been drawn to the world of art and design. Fueled by this passion, I landed a coveted spot in the Graduate Diploma in Product Design program at India's MIT Institute of Design. Here, I spent my days immersed in the world of industrial design, transforming ideas into tangible products. One of the projects I'm particularly proud of was designing a collection of sustainable lighting fixtures for The Purple Turtles, a company known for its unique and handcrafted home decor. This project allowed me to explore the use of cork, a natural and eco-friendly material, in lampshades and other lighting elements. It was an exciting challenge to combine functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability in a cohesive design. This experience not only honed my design skills but also introduced me to the realities of working with clients, understanding design parameters, and managing tight deadlines. As Michael Bierut says, "Design is intelligence made visible." Here, I learned the importance of translating user needs and brand identity into functional and visually appealing products.
From Crystal Chandeliers to Design Leadership: New Horizons in Design
My design adventure continued at Shimera Lighting Pvt Ltd, where I designed decorative lighting pieces using crystals and glass components. Here, I embraced the challenge of working with a new material and design aesthetic. I spent my days sketching designs, using Solidworks for 3D modeling, and rendering them with Keyshot software to create stunning visuals for presentations. Collaborating with senior designers on bespoke lighting projects further enriched my experience. This role allowed me to explore the intricate details of 3D modeling and the power of visual communication in design.
Stepping Up and Giving Back: Leading a Design Team at Onestop Retail
Craving a leadership role, I joined Onestop Retail Pvt Ltd as an Assistant Manager - Product Design. Here, I not only designed and executed a range of stoneware products but also mentored a team of 3 design interns. This experience was a turning point. I discovered a passion for guiding and inspiring others, identifying their strengths and weaknesses through discovery sessions and design sprints. As Maya Angelou said, "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." Mentoring these interns ignited a new passion within me – a desire to share my knowledge and empower others on their design journeys.
Core Skills that Bridged the Physical and Digital Divide
Both industrial design and UX/UI design require empathy for the user and a deep understanding of how people interact with products. In industrial design, it's about physical products; in UX/UI design, it's about digital experiences. My background in industrial design equipped me with essential design thinking skills, which became the foundation for my transition into the digital realm.
At Homeville Consulting Pvt Ltd, I immersed myself in the world of UI/UX design. Here, I leveraged my industrial design skills to create intuitive and user-friendly digital interfaces. My experience in 3D modeling and visual communication proved invaluable as I began designing digital prototypes and wireframes. I utilized tools like Figma and Adobe XD to bring my designs to life, ensuring that every digital interaction was seamless and user-centric.
One of my key projects at Homeville was redesigning the user interface for a real estate management platform. This involved conducting extensive user research, creating user personas, and developing wireframes and prototypes that addressed the specific needs and pain points of our users. The project allowed me to apply my design thinking skills to create a cohesive and engaging user experience that enhanced the platform's usability and overall user satisfaction.
By bridging the gap between physical and digital design, I was able to create holistic and meaningful experiences that catered to the evolving needs of users in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Leaving My Comfort Zone: Embracing Digital Marketing and Design Management
In July 2023, I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue my dream of studying design management in Canada. This program revitalized my career and propelled me into the realm of business design. It equipped me with the skills to bridge the gap between creativity and strategy, ensuring that design solutions align with business objectives. However, my insatiable curiosity didn't stop there. I craved a holistic understanding of the digital world, which is why I decided to embark on a new adventure – studying digital marketing. This feels like a natural progression in my digital journey, and I'm excited to explore the powerful synergy between UX design and digital marketing in a future blog post.
Why Digital Marketing? Aligning Design with Strategy
Throughout my career, I've realized the immense power of design strategy. It's the magic sauce that transforms design outputs into solutions that achieve real results. This understanding fueled my desire to pursue not only a Design Management program at George Brown College but also venture into the world of digital marketing. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform everything around us, understanding how users interact with digital products in the age of AI is critical.
Digital marketing allows me to see the bigger picture. It's the bridge that connects user needs with design solutions and business goals. Here's how:
● Understanding User Journeys : Digital marketing dives deep into user behavior and online interactions. By studying user journeys mapped through analytics and marketing tools, I can gain valuable insights into how users discover and interact with digital products. This empowers me to design user experiences that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also intuitive and meet user needs at every touchpoint.
● Data-Driven Design Decisions : Digital marketing is all about leveraging data to make informed decisions. This data-driven approach can be incredibly valuable in the design process. By analyzing user behavior data, I can identify areas where users struggle and prioritize design solutions that address these pain points. This ensures that my design decisions are backed by user research and data, not just intuition.
● Content Creation and Storytelling : Effective digital marketing relies on compelling content that resonates with the target audience. This skillset translates beautifully into the world of UX design. By understanding the principles of storytelling and content creation, I can design user experiences that are not only functional but also engaging and informative.
● The Power of Measurement: The beauty of digital marketing is its measurability. Unlike traditional marketing campaigns, we can track the effectiveness of our efforts in real-time. This allows me to measure the impact of my design decisions on user behavior and business goals. By continuously iterating and testing based on data, I can create user experiences that are not only beautiful but also drive real results.
Never Stop Learning: The Journey Continues
The biggest takeaway from my design journey is that there's always more to learn and explore. It's been an amazing adventure, filled with unexpected turns and new beginnings. It's shown me the value of stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing continuous learning. During my time as an Assistant Manager - Product Design at Onestop Retail Pvt Ltd, I discovered a passion for mentoring design interns. Guiding and inspiring them solidified my belief in the importance of knowledge sharing within the design community.
A World of Possibilities for Aspiring Designers
If you're an aspiring designer, don't be afraid to explore different design paths! My journey from industrial design to UX/UI design, with a sprinkle of digital marketing, is a testament to the interconnectedness of the design world. Embrace curiosity, keep learning, and most importantly, never stop creating! There are endless opportunities to combine your design skills with other disciplines to create impactful solutions.
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