Interview with Mina Maazi

Mina Maazi ("MM") interviewed on Sunday, 1 June.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

MM : Certainly! My journey as a designer began over six years ago, blending creativity with empathy to solve real human problems. I started in the world of architecture and urban design, then transitioned into UX/UI and product design—driven by my passion for how people interact with technology. I hold a Master’s degree in Design Management from Birmingham City University, which helped me strengthen my strategic thinking while staying rooted in user-centered values. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with a variety of companies in FinTech, EdTech, and AI—ranging from ambitious startups like Cloud Sibyl in Canada to major financial platforms in the Middle East. I’ve also collaborated with international teams, taken part in award-winning academic projects, and recently earned the Bronze A’ Design Award in UX/UI Design for an adaptive learning platform I co-created. Beyond the screen, I’ve always remained connected to the world of art—whether through resin painting, textile design, or Persian carpet weaving. My experience is a blend of disciplines, cultures, and mediums. And that’s what keeps my approach fresh, thoughtful, and deeply human.

How did you become a designer?

MM : I’ve always believed that design can save the world—or at least make it kinder, more functional, and more beautiful. My journey started long before I knew what UX or product design even meant. As a child, I was fascinated by historic monuments and Persian craftsmanship. I would get lost in the details of ancient architecture, wondering how people managed to create such meaningful, emotional spaces without modern tools. That wonder never left me. I began with a background in architecture and later earned a Master’s in Design Management from Birmingham City University. Over time, I realized that my real passion lies in solving real-world problems—ones that require both creativity and critical thinking. UX and product design gave me a way to combine both. It allowed me to move from just designing “things” to designing experiences that impact people’s everyday lives. No one specifically pushed me into design—it was always an internal calling. But I’ve been constantly inspired by visionary women in design and leadership. One of my biggest sources of inspiration has been Samira Rahimi—not because of awards, but because of her bold thinking and empowering presence. Like her, I aim to lead with empathy and intention. Becoming a designer felt less like a decision and more like a return to who I’ve always been.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

MM : When designing, my top three priorities are user empathy, clarity, and functionality. Every project I start begins with a deep understanding of the user's needs, context, and limitations. I believe good design is not just visually appealing—it must serve a purpose, solve a problem, and make someone’s day easier or better. My process is heavily research-driven. I often start by mapping the user journey, identifying pain points, and conducting interviews or testing whenever possible. I then move into low-fidelity sketches and wireframes—yes, by hand—before transitioning into digital tools like Figma, Miro, or even AI-powered design assistants. Technology plays a huge role in my workflow, but the emotional intelligence behind a product always starts offline. While I don’t always build physical prototypes, I do rely on collaborative tools and iterative design methods, often working closely with developers, product managers, and users. My design style is clean and purposeful. I strive to remove unnecessary complexity and let the interface speak with simplicity and confidence. Across all my work—whether it’s a fintech app or an AI-based learning platform—inclusivity and accessibility are recurring themes. I want people from all backgrounds and abilities to feel seen, heard, and supported by what I create.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

MM : Designing for me is an emotional journey. At the very beginning, when an idea first takes shape in my mind, I feel a rush of excitement—like discovering a new world. There’s a quiet joy in that moment, a spark that makes me want to dive in and explore every possibility. As I move through the process—researching, sketching, refining—I feel deeply curious and focused. It's almost meditative. I lose track of time, completely immersed in creating something that could make someone’s life easier, more meaningful, or simply more beautiful. But perhaps the most powerful emotion comes at the end: when the design becomes real, when someone uses it and says, “This helped me.” That moment gives me a sense of purpose. It’s not just happiness—it’s fulfillment. It reminds me why I became a designer in the first place: to connect, to serve, to create with empathy. Designing, for me, is never just a task—it’s a part of who I am. It's where logic meets emotion, where function meets poetry.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

MM : Several aspects of my background beyond design have played a major role in shaping who I am as a designer today. For instance, my early exposure to handicrafts like carpet weaving and resin art taught me patience, attention to detail, and how to find beauty in precision and repetition. These weren’t just hobbies—they trained my eye and hand long before I even knew I wanted to be a designer. Growing up in Iran, surrounded by a rich cultural and artistic heritage, I learned to appreciate intricate visual storytelling, symbolism, and the emotional power of design rooted in tradition. That environment naturally sharpened my visual literacy and sense of aesthetics. Another important skill has been observation. I tend to notice small things—how people interact with objects, where they hesitate, what brings them joy. This constant observation helps me design with empathy and relevance. Also, my teaching and mentoring experiences gave me the ability to communicate clearly, simplify complexity, and see design from other people's perspectives. But perhaps the most powerful influence has been curiosity—I question everything. I love watching films or series and wondering, what if this existed in real life? That mindset has led me to ideate solutions that go beyond just visuals and actually improve real lives. My journey as a designer hasn’t been linear—it’s been layered with life experiences, artistic exploration, cross-cultural immersion, and always, a deep desire to use design as a force for good.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

MM : I believe growth is not always loud or linear—it’s often found in quiet dedication and the constant pursuit of becoming better. My growth path has been deeply shaped by cross-cultural experiences, working in different environments, and always staying curious about new technologies, industries, and human behavior. Looking ahead, I hope to continue designing meaningful products that solve real problems—especially in the fields of education, accessibility, and sustainability. My dream is to work with major tech companies that value human-centered design, and at the same time, mentor emerging designers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. One of my biggest aspirations is to develop an innovative accessibility-focused product—something like smart wearable devices for the visually and hearing impaired, combining design with AI and AR. I also dream of building a design initiative or platform that empowers young designers in the Middle East to gain global recognition. Ultimately, I want to be remembered as a designer who made things simple, beautiful, and useful, and as someone who opened doors for others while walking through her own.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

MM : My biggest advice to young designers is simple but powerful: observe deeply. Look around you, not just at screens but at people, behavior, culture, and nature. Design is not created in isolation—it’s a reflection of life. See more. Study great design, bad design, and everything in between. Let your eyes develop taste, and your mind develop judgment. Build a strong visual literacy, and don’t rush into having a style—let it emerge through practice. Also, find a mentor—or many. Learning from those ahead of you can save you years of confusion. I’ve been both a mentee and a mentor, and I truly believe that growth accelerates when you surround yourself with people who challenge you to think sharper and aim higher. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received was: “Don’t design to impress. Design to solve.” In the beginning, it's tempting to create beautiful things just to prove your talent, but lasting success comes from creating useful, thoughtful, and impactful solutions. Lastly, never stop learning. Stay curious. Read. Listen. Ask questions. Try new tools. Explore industries outside of your comfort zone. The world is changing fast—and the designers who thrive are the ones who keep evolving with it.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

MM : Design is not a sprint, it's a rhythm. One of the best principles I’ve learned—and continue to practice—is consistency over intensity. Show up, even when you don’t feel inspired. Creativity isn’t magic; it’s discipline with curiosity. To my fellow designers, artists, and architects: Avoid the trap of falling in love with your first idea. Good design is iterative. Be willing to kill your darlings, rework, and question everything—even your own assumptions. Build strong relationships with developers, marketers, and users. Design doesn't live in Figma alone—it lives in how it works, how it’s communicated, and how it solves a real problem. Cross-functional collaboration is not just helpful—it’s essential. Don’t over-decorate. Over-solve. Let your design choices be driven by clarity, not complexity. The more invisible the friction, the more powerful the experience. Also, get comfortable with critique—but don’t lose your voice. Feedback is your ally, not your enemy. But always ask yourself: does it serve the user or dilute the vision? And finally, document your process. Not just for others, but for yourself. Looking back at how you arrived at a solution is where the real learning—and growth—happens.

What is your day to day look like?

MM : My days usually start with a good cup of coffee and a quick mental reset while tidying up the house. Believe it or not, organizing my space—cleaning up, setting things in order—gives me a sense of calm and clarity that fuels my creativity. It’s like resetting the canvas before I start sketching on it. Once I sit at my desk, I go through any new design news or updates from the tools I use. I check in on ongoing projects, sync with my team if needed, and set small achievable goals for the day. I try to carve out blocks of deep work for design exploration, ideation, or prototyping—these are usually the most energizing parts of my day. In between tasks, I’ll often flip through visual inspiration—books, films, sometimes even old sketchbooks—to spark new thoughts. And I love moments when unexpected ideas hit me while doing something mundane, like folding laundry or watering a plant. Design lives in those quiet, in-between moments too. Even on the most ordinary days, what keeps me going is the joy of solving problems in beautiful, meaningful ways. And yes, having a tidy, peaceful environment around me plays a big part in keeping that joy alive.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

MM : I do keep an eye on design trends—especially when they reflect changes in user behavior or technology—but I never let them fully dictate my work. Trends are like the wind; they can guide your direction, but you still need your own compass. My design approach is always rooted in function, empathy, and a timeless aesthetic rather than what's just "in" for the season. That said, I love analyzing trends to understand why they’re emerging—what problem are they trying to solve? What shifts in society or tech are they reacting to? This helps me integrate relevant elements thoughtfully without losing the essence of my own style. My inspirations come from many places: real human experiences, cultural narratives, art, films, and even conversations. I look at new product launches, design blogs, and sometimes just take a walk and observe people interacting with the world. My goal isn’t to chase trends, but to create solutions that stay meaningful long after a trend fades.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

MM : Honestly, I don’t believe in labeling designs as purely “good” or “bad.” In my field (UX?UI design), design is deeply contextual. What may not seem effective at first glance could be the result of solid research and intentionally aligned with the user’s needs or business goals. Instead of judging design in binary terms, I focus on understanding the reasoning behind the decisions. Was it user-centered? Was it inclusive? Did it serve the problem it set out to solve? These are the questions I ask. A well-designed project, to me, is one that creates clarity, emotional connection, and functional ease—all while respecting its users. But even then, I believe good design evolves. It’s not a fixed state—it listens, adapts, and improves over time. So, rather than looking for perfection, I look for intention and impact. That’s how I define strong, thoughtful design.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

MM : For me, a design is never truly finished—it simply reaches a stage where it’s ready enough to be tested in the real world. I believe in releasing with confidence, not with the illusion of perfection. The real proof of readiness comes from user testing. If the solution resonates with users, helps them achieve their goals with clarity and ease, and requires minimal explanation, that’s when I know we’re close. I observe how users interact with the product—where they pause, where they smile, where they hesitate. These are signals. If feedback starts becoming more about preferences than usability issues, then that’s a good sign the core design is stable. Still, I keep an open mind. Sometimes I revisit a design weeks or months later with a fresh perspective—or based on new insights. But I’ve learned that done is better than perfect. A design ready for launch is one that serves its purpose and is backed by real user insights.

What is your biggest design work?

MM : One of the design works I’m most proud of is Alma—an adaptive learning platform I created to make training more personalized, inclusive, and emotionally engaging. It started as a university competition entry, but it became so much more. It recently won a Bronze A' Design Award, which was deeply meaningful to me—not just because of the award, but because of what the project stood for. Alma was born from a simple yet powerful question: How can we make digital training more human? The journey involved user interviews, accessibility research, behavioral design models like VARK, and many iterations. I designed AI-driven personalized learning paths, mentorship features, and even language-independent onboarding systems—because I truly believe that learning should be accessible to everyone. What made this project special was the emotional connection. I wasn’t just designing screens—I was designing hope. Many users shared how the platform made learning feel less intimidating and more empowering. That, to me, is the best reward a designer can receive. I’m currently developing ideas for future versions of Alma—and working on a new, unreleased project that focuses on assistive tech for visually and hearing-impaired users, which I hope will be my next proudest creation.

Who is your favourite designer?

MM : It’s hard to choose just one, but two figures have had a profound impact on the way I see and practice design. The first is Louis Sullivan, the American architect known for coining the phrase “Form follows function.” That simple yet powerful statement shaped the foundation of modern design thinking. His philosophy reminds me that great design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about purpose. It needs to work before it wows. The second is Don Norman, whose work in human-centered design and cognitive psychology opened my eyes to the emotional and behavioral layers of user experience. His book “The Design of Everyday Things” helped me see design as a conversation between product and person. He taught me that empathy is not a soft skill—it's a design strategy. Both of them, in very different eras and disciplines, believed in meaningful, usable, and thoughtful design. That belief is what I carry into every project.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

MM : I was born and raised in Iran, a country with one of the richest artistic and cultural heritages in the world. From the rhythmic geometry of Persian carpets to the intricate tilework of ancient mosques, design in Iran isn’t just visual—it’s poetic, symbolic, and soulful. Growing up surrounded by these timeless masterpieces gave me an early and deep appreciation for detail, storytelling, and emotion in design. Persian culture has taught me that design is not decoration—it’s identity. It shapes how we see the world and how we want to be seen. That’s why even the smallest design decision matters. I often find myself inspired by the contrast between tradition and modernity, between the organic and the structured, and I try to reflect that balance in my work. I currently live in England, but no matter where I am, Iran is always a part of me. It shows up in the patterns I choose, the colors I’m drawn to, and the emotional depth I aim for in my projects. Even in tech-driven work like UX/UI, I carry forward the belief that good design tells a story and connects people to something greater than function. Music is also a big part of my life—it helps me find rhythm and flow, especially when I’m lost in the layers of a project. And while cities like Shiraz or Isfahan will always feel like home in my creative soul, I believe design itself is a way of living. It teaches mindfulness. It brings beauty to the everyday. And it constantly pushes me to evolve—both personally and professionally.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

MM : I believe good design happens through collaboration, not isolation. While I often lead and execute projects independently, I deeply value the energy that comes from working with cross-functional teams—product owners, developers, marketers, and even customer support. I’ve found that the best ideas often emerge when diverse perspectives come together with a shared goal. My work culture is built on empathy, clarity, and curiosity. I like to work with people who are open-minded, honest, and unafraid to challenge ideas—with kindness. I’m a strong believer in human-centered design, so I bring that same mindset to how I treat collaborators: I listen, I adapt, and I try to make the design process as enjoyable and empowering as the end product itself. In terms of business philosophy, I don’t believe in designing just to impress. I design to solve real problems—with beauty, yes, but also with logic and purpose. I think a great designer should be observant, emotionally intelligent, and endlessly curious. You need to care about people, and you need to be brave enough to unlearn and reimagine. The biggest challenge in our profession isn’t the tools or timelines—it’s balancing innovation with inclusivity, aesthetics with accessibility, and creativity with constraints. But that’s also what makes this job so rewarding. Every project is a new puzzle. Every user is a new story waiting to be heard.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

MM : I’ve always believed that design has the power to create real change, especially when it’s accessible, inclusive, and people-led. That’s why I actively mentor young and emerging designers on platforms like ADPList and through academic mentorship programs like Moonshot at UC Berkeley Extension, where I help guide students navigating the early stages of their careers. Whenever possible, I take on pro bono projects—particularly for startups or social impact ideas that aim to make life better for underserved communities. I’ve also collaborated with academic teams and student initiatives without expecting compensation, because I remember how much I wished for guidance when I was just starting out. For me, giving back isn’t just about offering time—it’s about sharing lessons, building confidence in others, and demystifying the design world. I try to make design feel less like an elite profession and more like a tool anyone can learn to use to solve problems. I also speak at design events, review portfolios, and share resources whenever I can. And beyond formal spaces, I keep my DMs open for anyone who needs honest advice or feedback. Because sometimes, all it takes is one encouraging voice to help someone keep going—and I’m happy to be that voice for someone else.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

MM : Participating in the A’ Design Award has been one of the most motivating and affirming experiences of my design journey so far. Beyond the joy of being recognized, the whole process gave me a moment to pause and reflect deeply on my design process, my intentions, and the impact of my work. Sometimes in the fast pace of daily projects, we forget to celebrate how far we’ve come—this award reminded me of that. Three main benefits of participating in design competitions like A’ Design are: Visibility – It opens doors by putting your work in front of a global audience. Validation – It reassures you that your thinking, approach, and design ethics matter. Reflection – The process itself forces you to look back, document, and present your work with clarity and depth—which in turn helps you grow. Design awards also connect you with a community of like-minded creatives from around the world. It’s not just about winning; it’s about being part of a larger conversation about what meaningful, responsible, and innovative design looks like today. Being selected as Designer of the Day feels incredibly special. It’s an honor I carry with pride, and it encourages me to keep going, keep learning, and hopefully inspire others along the way. I’m truly grateful for this recognition.

Mina Maazi Profile