I Don’t Know What’s Ahead, But I’m Excited

I Don’t Know What’s Ahead, But I’m Excited

By Karina Dang, Posted on September 1st 2024

By Karina Dang, Posted on September 1st 2024

In this week’s Sunday Stories, we’re excited to feature Karina, a rising star who shared her journey with us. Karina’s inspiring transition from architecture to UX design highlights the power of creativity, and we’re thrilled to share her story with you. Let’s celebrate Karina!

In this week’s Sunday Stories, we’re excited to feature Karina, a rising star who shared her journey with us. Karina’s inspiring transition from architecture to UX design highlights the power of creativity, and we’re thrilled to share her story with you. Let’s celebrate Karina!

Hi! I’m Karina, a UX Designer with a background in Architecture. Like many architects transitioning into UX, my story is more about the journey than the destination.

My Architectural Beginnings

I graduated with a degree in Architecture in 2019 and started working as an Architect right away. Over three years, I worked on amazing projects, including designing cozy Airbnb villas in Goa. These designs were featured in well-known publications like Elle Decor, Trends, and Architectural Digest.

Hi! I’m Karina, a UX Designer with a background in Architecture. Like many architects transitioning into UX, my story is more about the journey than the destination.

My Architectural Beginnings

I graduated with a degree in Architecture in 2019 and started working as an Architect right away. Over three years, I worked on amazing projects, including designing cozy Airbnb villas in Goa. These designs were featured in well-known publications like Elle Decor, Trends, and Architectural Digest.

Architecture projects:
1. Tropical Paradise: Airbnb Villa design in Goa.

2. Scandi retreat :Airbnb Villa design in Goa.

Despite my successes, I felt that Architecture wasn’t my true path. While I enjoyed my work, something felt missing. I thought about switching to UX Design but dismissed it, thinking, “It’s just about designing apps and websites — maybe it’s not for me.”

A Leap into the Unknown

After much thought, I decided to try UX Design in 2023. I reached out to a friend with over five years of experience in UX. She became my mentor, guiding me with useful YouTube videos, articles, and courses. With my background in architecture and a strong understanding of design, I felt confident in teaching myself UX. And so, my journey began.

Falling in Love with the Process & Aligning Passions

As I explored UX, I quickly fell in love with it. I discovered that UX isn’t just about designing apps or websites; it’s about understanding people, solving problems, collaborating, and thinking with a business mindset. I realized that visual design is just one part of the bigger picture.

I finally felt like I had found the missing piece I’d been searching for. I’ve always had multiple interests, and for years I struggled to define a single passion. But I’ve realized that my true calling is in following my curiosity.

Architecture projects:
1. Tropical Paradise: Airbnb Villa design in Goa.

2. Scandi retreat :Airbnb Villa design in Goa.

Despite my successes, I felt that Architecture wasn’t my true path. While I enjoyed my work, something felt missing. I thought about switching to UX Design but dismissed it, thinking, “It’s just about designing apps and websites — maybe it’s not for me.”

A Leap into the Unknown

After much thought, I decided to try UX Design in 2023. I reached out to a friend with over five years of experience in UX. She became my mentor, guiding me with useful YouTube videos, articles, and courses. With my background in architecture and a strong understanding of design, I felt confident in teaching myself UX. And so, my journey began.

Falling in Love with the Process & Aligning Passions

As I explored UX, I quickly fell in love with it. I discovered that UX isn’t just about designing apps or websites; it’s about understanding people, solving problems, collaborating, and thinking with a business mindset. I realized that visual design is just one part of the bigger picture.

I finally felt like I had found the missing piece I’d been searching for. I’ve always had multiple interests, and for years I struggled to define a single passion. But I’ve realized that my true calling is in following my curiosity.

My interests in psychology, business, digital products, and design all come together perfectly in my work as a UX and Product Designer.

  • Psychology: I’m fascinated by how users interact with the world. Product design lets me explore human behavior and how people use products on a deeper level.

  • Business Mindset: I love creating solutions that impact thousands of people. Product design gives me the opportunity to make a difference and fills me with pride as a designer.

  • Digital Products: I’m curious about how digital products shape our daily lives. As a product designer, I enjoy simplifying life for people, helping them live more fully.

  • Love for Design: Creativity has always been at my core. My architecture background taught me that design is about solving problems creatively. Product design is the perfect outlet for this passion.

Embracing Courage: In the past year, I completed an internship at a startup and now freelance as a Product Designer. I’ve also started sharing my design journey on Instagram, which was a big step out of my comfort zone. At first, sharing my work publicly was intimidating, but my passion for design pushed me forward. I realized that courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about being driven by something you truly love. This journey has been about personal growth as much as professional development, and I’m excited to keep learning, sharing, and connecting with others in the design community.

The Reality of Transitioning Careers

While I’ve found fulfillment in my new career, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. The job market is crowded, and as a newcomer, the job search can be hectic and sometimes lonely. Transitioning to a new industry has its challenges, and I think it’s important to be honest about that.

I’ve condensed a few key insights for anyone considering a similar move: [link]

Also, check out Things I Learned in My First Year as a Product Designer (the Hard Way)

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a fresh start, but being aware of these thorns can make the journey a bit more manageable.

The Reality of Transitioning Careers

While I’ve found fulfillment in my new career, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. The job market is crowded, and as a newcomer, the job search can be hectic and sometimes lonely. Transitioning to a new industry has its challenges, and I think it’s important to be honest about that.

I’ve condensed a few key insights for anyone considering a similar move: [link]

Also, check out Things I Learned in My First Year as a Product Designer (the Hard Way)

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a fresh start, but being aware of these thorns can make the journey a bit more manageable.

Looking Ahead
I’m currently seeking full-time opportunities where I can work on meaningful products and collaborate with a talented team. In the future, I hope to lead design projects, guide teams, and share my knowledge through mentorship. While the future is uncertain, I’m confident in my skills and excited for what’s next.

Wanna Get Featured?

Write us about yourself and your project on this email : designare.hq@gmail.com

We will reply within 24hours and give you an update!

Connect with Karina:
karinadang.design@gmail.com
Linkedin
Instagram
Product Design Portfolio

Wanna Get Featured?

Write us about yourself and your project on this email : designare.hq@gmail.com

We will reply within 24hours and give you an update!

Connect with Karina:
karinadang.design@gmail.com
Linkedin
Instagram
Product Design Portfolio