From Kolam to UX - A journey of design, growth, and resilience

My first brush with design came not through software, but through art. I still remember the intricate Kolam (or Rangoli) patterns my grandmother would draw at our doorstep and taught me the same. She taught me the importance of symmetry, detail, and beauty in everyday life. Without realising it, I was absorbing foundational concepts like grids, patterns, empathy, constraints, aesthetics, and time management, which were core elements of both UI design and design thinking.

I began my career as a web and graphic designer during a time when UX wasn't even a recognised discipline. We were not using terms like user journey or accessibility, but we were always thinking about what the user needed, even if we didn't have formal frameworks for it. Initially, much of my work drew from print design. We quickly learned that what worked in print- like bold fonts and bright colours didn't translate well to the web. The challenges shifted: instead of dealing with printer alignment and ink colours, UI designers were navigating browser support, limited HTML/CSS capabilities, and early JavaScript constraints. This forced us into a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation, from static web pages (Web 1.0) to the dynamic, social, and now intelligent AI-driven web. Keeping up meant constantly evolving, and I embraced it.

My journey began with Photoshop, where I created illustrations and designed for the web, as well as hand-coded HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript. Back then, designers were also expected to take on front-end development responsibilities. Over time, as teams matured, these roles split, and I found myself leaning deeper into design. A couple of years into my career, I realised the need to upskill and transition into the broader world of UX. While working at McAfee, I was fortunate to have a supportive design head who guided me on this path. He introduced me to valuable learning resources like NNGroup, and that encouragement led me to pursue certification from HFI (Human Factors International).

To get a true sense of UX, I participated in hackathons, joined IDEO groups, and collaborated with diverse teams. These experiences helped me build confidence and gain hands-on experience with various real-world design problems. Balancing motherhood, a full-time job, and self-learning was no easy feat, but I carved out 6-8 hours a week, mostly during evenings and weekends, to invest in my up-skilling. It was exhausting, but incredibly rewarding.

Coming from a UI background, transitioning to full-spectrum UX meant stretching myself from interaction design to research, usability testing, and even strategy. In my early UX projects, I often felt overwhelmed. I was confident in my design knowledge, but every domain came with its complexities. I faced challenges with understanding the technology constraints and hand-offs. I learned the hard way that uncovering edge cases isn't a solo effort; it takes collaboration with developers, SMEs, and stakeholders. It's okay to miss things. What matters is how quickly and effectively you can iterate. My biggest learning: Design isn't about perfection. It's about continuous improvement.

While technical skills were one part of the puzzle, personal growth was another. Coming from a traditional family with rigid norms, I had very limited exposure to professional environments. We weren't encouraged to socialise, and I grew up to be quite an introvert. I was hesitant to engage with unfamiliar faces, but I recognised that growth begins where comfort ends. Attending design and tech conferences opened my eyes, especially on how women leaders navigated their careers. Meeting inspirational ladies encouraged me to aim higher. I later volunteered for a couple of years at well-known conferences, contributing to the HCI track by reviewing paper submissions. This was an experience that greatly boosted my confidence and expanded my professional network.

With every experience, good or bad, I have grown. From small-scale design work to strategic projects, from hesitance to confidence, the journey has been transformative. Today, I can confidently talk to users, work with leadership, and shape design strategy. I  have learned that every mistake is just another chance to become a better version of myself. This blog is just the beginning. I hope sharing my story resonates with even a few readers, especially those trying to balance personal and professional growth. There are more stories to come, and I hope you'll join me on this journey.

I  have transitioned from a homemaker to the UX professional I am today. What began within the walls of my home, empathy, observation, and creativity, has now touched diverse domains like education, enterprise, security, supply chain, healthcare, and more. Through every phase, I have stayed true to myself, remained consistent, and followed my passion. I truly believe that continuous learning and a deep sense of purpose are the keys to achieving anything you set your heart on.