Welcome to Talking Tuesday! With this interview series, we introduce our specialists to you every month! They give you an insight into what it is like to work at Humanoids and what they are doing now! This month, Kamiela, UX Traineeship Lead, will be introduced.

What kind of project are you doing now?

Within the Data & Analytics team in the international division of Rabobank, I design interfaces that guide users to the right information as quickly as possible.

What's most interesting about this?

The most interesting aspect is that each application has its own complexity. Even though the user group might be the same, the tasks they want to accomplish in the application are often very different. It's always enjoyable to get to know the users and their work environment with each new application. The biggest challenge is then ensuring that the data is presented in the simplest and most digestible way possible. As a user, you shouldn't really notice how complex it actually is.

What do you bring to a team?

Within a team, I always see myself as an ambassador for the user. I then try to defend the values and goals of the user. And you need to defend them more often than you'd think. What seems like the best technical solution doesn't always lead to the most logical solution on the front end. I always enjoy the challenge of coming up with a solution that works for all of us together. I often try to use creativity and design thinking solutions to jointly reach the right solution.

What tip would you like to give to someone who is just starting out?

Just start designing. By using logic and creativity, you can go a long way. You don't always need a lot of experience or knowledge for that. By designing, you also learn to look at screens in a certain way. This also helps you build a portfolio right away.

Can you name a business situation or event that greatly benefited you?

Before I started working as a UX Designer at Humanoids, I also had a role as a project manager. Although this role didn't suit me as much and I missed the creativity in my work, the skills I gained there are very relevant. Creating a new design is actually a lot like managing a project. It's good to keep zooming in and out. Additionally, it's important to keep all stakeholders around the design involved, so they feel more connected to the product. The deliverables you create around the design (project plans, schedules) are just as important as the design itself.

Can you tell us something about your growth as a specialist in recent years?

In my growth as a specialist, working with different products and organizations has been very valuable. By touching a new product with a very different context each time, you learn that many UX solutions work for different products. At the same time, you learn a lot about the subject and the users you work with.

Moreover, I've had the opportunity to look inside various interesting organizations. By making a fresh start within an organization each time, you grow in your flexibility and self-reliance. This has made me much more confident in my role as a designer.

What do you like so much about this sector?

It's a combination of three factors: creativity, technology, and people. Creativity is interwoven everywhere in your designs, design thinking methods, and interactions. Technology because it has its opportunities but also limitations. You learn to look at your design differently and navigate around the limitations. Ultimately, everything you do revolves around people, how we think and what we feel. For me, it's the perfect combination.

What are you most proud of since joining Humanoids?

As a traineeship lead, I am responsible for the traineeship program. It's enjoyable to constantly reflect on the program. We then use creative methods to improve the program. Our latest development: The Masterclasses. Seven Masterclasses in a year, each time diving deep into a different topic. We try to introduce trainees to subjects that can be quite challenging in a practical way. Seeing how the masterclasses are received and how quickly everyone grows through the program is something I'm quite proud of.

What makes Humanoids special?

The growth you experience. From the first day you join Humanoids, you're thrown into the deep end with a design sprint with real clients. This way, you quickly learn what is expected of you as a UX Designer. You also receive the tools and knowledge in a safe environment to keep developing further.

And of course; the people. Secretly, I believe that great colleagues are the most important factor for enjoying my work. The pleasant, informal atmosphere that the people at Humanoids bring with them makes Humanoids a very nice place to work.

That was the Talking Tuesday interview again! Next month, we will introduce another specialist to you. Also, take a look at our LinkedIn page for more content and tips from our experts!