Meet RAHEEMAT ATATA, an amazing Product Designer, Digital Content Creator and Youtuber.

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How did you get into design?

My journey in tech started when I was in secondary school, I couldn't decide on what I wanted to do till I was in SS3 when I watched an American Tv show called "Arrow." My interest in technology was ignited by one of the characters in that series. Felicity Smoake is the character's name. In the movie, she plays a tech expert and hacker. I adored how she uses her keyboard and monitor to assist in problem-solving. I chose to pursue computer engineering in university as a result of the effect of that Tv show.

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My passion for design began when I was at the University studying engineering with my cousin, Embee, who was also a talented graphic designer. I was inspired by his passion for design and decided to learn more about it myself. At the time I was a Frontend developer while continuing to learn frontend development, I started exploring the graphic design field. I  learned how to design logos and flyers using Photoshop.

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During my IT, a friend who was a graphics designer introduced me to UI/UX design, which immediately piqued my interest.  However, I struggled to grasp the concept of problem-solving through design, so I put my focus back on coding. It wasn't until I volunteered at a UI/UX design workshop in 2019 for beginners that I had a breakthrough. Paying close attention to the instructors, I experimented with some design ideas and posted them on Twitter. To my surprise, they received positive feedback, which encouraged me to pursue a career as a product designer.

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That's truly inspiring! How do you balance your creativity with practicality in your design work?

Being creative is one of the fundamental skills of designers. However, as good designers, we must recognize that not all of our creative ideas are practical or feasible in the real world. To strike a balance between creativity and practicality, I ensure I have a clear understanding of the people I’m designing for and the objectives of the solution I’m creating. This helps me ensure that my designs not only look great but also meet the needs and goals of the end users.

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Designing for diverse audiences can be challenging. How do you approach it and ensure inclusivity in your work?

My work emphasizes the significance of designing for diverse audiences and prioritizing inclusivity. To achieve this, I carefully consider the needs, abilities, and preferences of all my users. I do extensive research about the users to better understand their backgrounds, lifestyles, and behaviors. I use inclusive language and create accessible designs to make sure that everyone can access and understand the product. Furthermore, I consider the cultural differences of my users in my decision-making process, and I always test the designs with a diverse group of users to ensure that they are effective for everyone.

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Can you share a design challenge you faced and how you overcame it?

To be honest facing challenges every day is one of the many difficulties of being a designer. I can’t specifically say this is a design challenge I’ve faced recently but one thing I would say is to always know when to ask for help and when to do more research to get more clarity.

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How well do you collaborate with others to build and complete a project?

As a designer, one of my greatest strengths is my ability to collaborate effectively with others. When I join a new team, I prioritize finding a work environment that values collaboration, as it is a crucial factor in creating a successful product. On a daily basis, I work closely with my project manager to gain clarity on the product vision and objectives, while also collaborating with engineers to ensure that my designs are implemented in the way I envision.

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Can you share a design project that pushed your skills and helped you grow as a designer?

Working on Kwiksell, a retail tool that helps business owners and merchants sell and collect payment seamlessly, was a project that truly tested my abilities and helped me to grow as a designer during my previous employment. The project required me to create an intuitive user experience for a complex retail management platform, which demanded an immense amount of attention to detail and precision.

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To accomplish this, I conducted extensive research and gathered feedback from both the client and the app's potential users. I also experimented with various design patterns, color schemes, and typography to create a coherent and visually appealing interface.

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Throughout the project, I faced several challenges, including managing a complex information architecture, designing for multiple user types, and ensuring the app's accessibility. Nevertheless, by persevering and pushing myself to overcome these obstacles, I was able to learn new skills and techniques that I can now apply to other projects. Overall, the experience taught me the significance of teamwork, communication, and tenacity in design projects, and I take pride in the final product that we delivered.

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How do you measure the impact of your design work and gauge its success?

To gauge the success and impact of my designs, I adopt a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, I gather feedback from various sources including users, stakeholders, and fellow designers. This allows me to pinpoint areas that need improvement and measure the product's success.

Additionally, I use analytics tools to track how users interact with the product. This helps me measure user behavior and identify patterns that could be used to enhance the design.

Lastly, I collaborate closely with the sales team to keep track of crucial metrics such as user engagement, conversion rates, and user satisfaction. These metrics help me measure the overall impact of the product and determine its success.

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Can you talk about a design project that you’re particularly proud of and why?

Kwiksell is one of the products that I take great pride in. As I mentioned earlier, working on Kwiksell was one of the most challenging projects I've ever undertaken due to the intricate nature of the product. At one point, I found myself leading the design team on the project because the previous lead designer had left. This realization of how my decision as the lead designer on the product could impact the company positively or negatively compelled me to step up my game.

Nevertheless, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn from this experience. Additionally, receiving feedback from users on how Kwiksell has transformed their businesses made me even more proud of my work as a designer.

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Do you have any advice for people just starting out in design?

Starting a career in design takes hard work, dedication, and courage with the right skills and attitude, anyone can succeed and build a fulfilling career in this field. So keep pushing and don’t give up.

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What would you do differently if you had to start design all over?

If I had to start all over again, I wouldn't change a thing in my journey. However, I do wish I had started earlier. My failures, mistakes, and choices have all played a role in where I am today, and I'm proud of what I've achieved. Not because I'm where I desire to be, but because I've worked hard to reach this point.

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You should definitely follow Raheemat on Twitter! Click here.

You can also subscribe to her YouTube channel here where she shares a lot of tips and resources for designers.