Alexandru Cozma

Where are you based as a UX/UI Designer?

I move between Amsterdam and Romania; and, more recently, I spent 3 months in Tenerife where I stayed during the Memorisely UX/UI Bootcamp. I'm currently on the lookout for a new opportunity, so I'll probably move to a new place –– exciting times!

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What led you into UX/UI Design?

I've always been passionate about websites and digital products. I studied Marketing at University, and after two internships, I realized that I'd like to use my creativity to create visually appealing products that are also efficient and user-friendly.

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What does a typical day look like for you?

I'd love to call myself an early riser but unfortunately, I'm not. I tend to wake up at 9 or even 10 AM and make myself a cup of coffee, which I sip on while I respond to emails or check my Slack messages.

After that, I plan my tasks for the day depending on when I feel most productive. I tend to do all the creative work after lunch because that's when I feel most productive. If I feel like I struggle with designing something, I take a small break and come back later. I realized that there's no point in sitting there staring at the screen, and most often, a quick break can be an immense creativity booster.

After work, I like to go outside and do something, even if it's just a walk. If the weather allows, I like to take my skateboard and just ride around the city. When I'm in Amsterdam, I explore the city by bike –– this is a great way to discover hidden gems!

I end my day by playing video games or by watching a good TV show, if you have any suggestions for a good TV show, please let me know!

What is your current desk setup?

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And your Workstation setup across devices?

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This is a picture I took in Tulum, Mexico and I use it as my phone background ever since.

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What work are you most proud of?

I'm most proud of a recent case study I've completed during the Memorisely UX/UI Design Bootcamp. I had the opportunity to work on a great Mobile App called "Anyone" –– a platform where advisors can monetize their experience. During this case study, I was involved in the whole UX/UI process, from Research to User Testing. This made me confident in my skills as a UX/UI Designer.

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Which Product recently blew your socks off?

Maze. I heard about Maze some time ago but I never fully experienced it until recently. I think it's a great tool for User Testing and I like everything about their product ––from the 3D animations on their landing page, all the way to the user experience throughout the product. I found it very helpful for remote testing, it helped me test my designs and find some areas of improvement that I hadn't considered before.

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What challenges do you face as a UX/UI Designer?

Design can be subjective and if you work with many stakeholders, everyone has an opinion about design. That's why it's important to support your idea with previous results or research.

Another thing is that not everyone is aware of the value of UX/UI Design, and can confuse it with Graphic Design. This can be frustrating for both parties. I try to minimize this issue by making sure everyone involved in the project understands the UX/UI Designer role.

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What tunes do you listen to whilst designing?

I jump between random playlists on Apple Music –– this is the most recent one 👇

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Three suggestions for budding designers?

1. Keep practicing. Especially for Junior Designers, when you're first starting out in a new field, everything can be intimidating but it's important to be consistent. The Memorisely Design challenge is a great way to practice your skills!
2. Don't be afraid to share your work and ask for feedback. In my opinion, asking for feedback early and often is vital. It's always better to fail early than to get to a late stage in the project and realize that there's something missing.
3. Accept the importance of research. I know that most of us want to jump straight to designing, but it's important to understand the users who'll be using the product you're designing.