From illustrator to UX/UI designer: how design thinking changed the way I create

When I first started as an illustrator, my main focus was storytelling — capturing emotion, character, and color in every image. Illustration felt like my language. But as I began learning UX/UI design, I realized that creativity can go far beyond aesthetics. It’s not only about what looks beautiful — it’s about what works beautifully for the people who use it.

This journey into UX/UI has completely transformed how I approach projects, solve problems, and even see design itself.

From creating for emotion to designing for experience

As an illustrator, my goal was always to evoke a feeling — joy, curiosity, or comfort. In UX/UI, my goal expanded: now I design to

guide experiences. Illustration tells a story; UX/UI lets people live that story. Every button, layout, and color choice serves a purpose — helping users feel oriented, supported, and understood. It’s the same emotional foundation, just applied to interactive space.

Thinking beyond visuals: empathy and logic

In illustration, empathy helped me understand the story’s audience. In UX/UI, empathy is still at the center, but it’s supported by research and logic.

Now I think about:

• Who will use this product?

• What problem are they trying to solve?

• How can I make their path easier and more enjoyable?

It’s a beautiful mix of art and psychology — something that stretches my creativity in new directions.

Collaboration and systems thinking

As a freelance illustrator, I often worked independently, creating self-contained pieces. UX/UI taught me to think in systems — reusable components, design patterns, and team collaboration.

Instead of creating one final artwork, I now create frameworks that others can build upon. Every element — typography, color, icon, button — becomes part of a larger ecosystem. It’s design that grows and adapts.

Extending my creative toolkit

Studying UX/UI has expanded my skill set far beyond illustration:

• I’ve learned to use Figma, wireframes, and design systems.

• I approach projects through user flows and prototypes, not just visual concepts.

• I use research and testing to validate ideas instead of relying purely on intuition.

What’s amazing is how much these new tools complement my artistic background. My eye for composition, color harmony, and emotional tone translates naturally into intuitive interface design.

A new mindset: solving, not just decorating

The biggest change? I don’t see design as decoration anymore — I see it as problem-solving.

Illustration gave me the ability to make things beautiful. UX/UI gives me the tools to make them useful and meaningful. It’s a shift from self-expression to collaboration — from creating art for people to designing experiences with them in mind.

Becoming a UX/UI designer hasn’t replaced my love for illustration — it has expanded it.Now, every project feels like a bridge between emotion and logic, art and function, creativity and empathy.

As I continue learning and growing in UX/UI, I’m excited to explore how these two worlds connect — where visual storytelling meets human-centered design.

If you’re curious about my illustration and design journey, feel free to explore my portfolio or connect with me to collaborate on creative projects.