I remember the night when I first realized just how much UX design could change my world. As a junior designer, I discovered the work of a designer across the globe, deeply moved by its impact. In my dimly lit apartment, I admired their creativity and devotion, a testament to design’s universal language. Yet, alongside inspiration, I felt an ache, doubting if I could ever match such breathtaking talent or belong in this world.

The feeling of being amazed, yet lost, both inspired and insecure stayed with me. As designers, we’re comparing, striving, and we’re our own harshest critics. But over time, I learned to view this feeling as a gateway to growth rather than despair. The world of design is as wide and diverse as we make it, and each designer brings something new and beautiful to the table. Today, I’m honoured to share the work of eight designers who’ve brought that reminder to life, each leaving a piece of their soul in every project they create.

1. Adam Marsden

Adam Marsden, a Product Designer from Retford, UK, brings over a decade of experience in digital product design. His portfolio features CMS websites, SaaS applications, and contributions to open-source projects, creating tools for designers and developers. As Principal Designer at Spiffy, Adam’s expertise has been vital in driving over $1 billion in company sales.

Beyond design, Adam is a thought leader featured in publications like CSS-Tricks and Smashing Magazine. Through his newsletter, Unicorn Club, he curates valuable content for designers and tech enthusiasts, empowering the design community.

2. Aneta Kmiecik

With a background in architecture, Aneta Kmiecik is a skilled UX Designer and Design Mentor based in Oslo. Her five years of experience have spanned health, safety, education, and fintech industries. There, she employed strategic research, rapid prototyping, and collaborative design processes to elevate digital products. Aneta’s holistic approach, enhanced by her architectural experience, helps her identify and address the core challenges within each project.

Aneta is also passionate about mentoring junior designers, guiding them and helping to develop successful careers. Through her Instagram (@ux.aneta) and LinkedIn, she shares valuable content and insight into her design journey, making a positive impact on the next generation of designers.

3. Grace Ling

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” — Steve Jobs

Grace Ling is a community builder and designer, best known for founding Design Buddies, a network of over 150,000 members dedicated to helping designers improve their skills and find career opportunities. Through her venture, FluffleAI, Grace aims to assist designers with personalized job-readiness resources. With a strong presence on social media, she shares insights on design, art, career growth, and lifestyle, amassing a following of over 60,000.

Grace’s educational background includes Computer Science, Bioengineering, and experience as a Division 1 athlete, which have contributed to her success as a global speaker on design, community building, and career development. Her work elevates design standards on top of fostering connection and supporting among designers worldwide.

4. Lucie Abi Nehme

With over ten years of experience in UX/UI and graphic design, Lucie Abi Nehme excels in web and mobile application design. She has refined her skills through high-pressure roles and freelancing for top brands, working on infographics, web design, 2D animation, and branding. Lucie combines creativity with technical expertise, mastering tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and After Effects to deliver efficient, high-quality designs.

Lucie’s user-centred design (UCD) process is comprehensive, spanning persona development, usability tests, and detailed design systems. Her dedication to user advocacy and business alignment results in designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Known for her eye for detail and commitment to research-driven solutions, Lucie’s work showcases her versatility and adaptability in creating impactful designs.

5. Mahmudur Rahman

Mahmudur Rahman is a Montreal-based Product Designer and UX/UI specialist with a focus on creating designs that fulfill both user needs and business objectives. With experience in SaaS, CX design, and website development, Mahmudur is adept at managing complex design workflows from research through development handoff. This makes him a versatile designer skilled in delivering high-quality digital solutions.

Mahmudur’s structured approach ensures that his designs not only look impressive but also drive product growth. His strong communication and organizational skills enable him to work seamlessly with development teams and stakeholders, and his designs consistently deliver smooth, engaging experiences for users.

6. Muqaddas Batool

“A bad website is like a grumpy salesperson.” — Jakob Nielsen

Muqaddas Batool, a Creative Designer from Pakistan, specializes in UX/UI design with a focus on brand identity and emotions. Her computer science degree enables her to merge technical skills with creativity in her designs. She creates user-friendly websites, mobile apps, and social media designs to boost brand engagement.

Muqaddas is also an emerging writer on Medium, where she shares her knowledge with the design community. Her designs are deeply rooted in emotional appeal and problem-solving, offering meaningful and memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on users.

7. Priyank Rangnekar

Priyank Rangnekar, a UX Consultant and analytics expert in Ontario, Canada, combines data-driven insights with user-centric design. His healthcare market research experience shaped his understanding of industry dynamics, enabling him to create intuitive solutions for real user needs.

As the founder of Zaash Labs, an IT services agency, Priyank leads projects blending technology and design for business success. His strategic mindset and adaptability have driven his company’s growth, and he frequently collaborates on trends, UX, and IT solutions. Priyank’s work aligns user experience with market trends, showcasing his forward-thinking approach and focus on impactful solutions.

8. Vianney Prézelin

Based in Montreal, Vianney Prézelin is a UX/UI Designer focused on balancing business goals with user needs. With experience in industrial and retail design, Vianney combines aesthetic minimalism and usability in his interfaces. His efforts to develop sustainable design practices, like integrating carbon footprint reduction into his work, demonstrate a commitment to responsible design.

In his lead UX/UI roles, Vianney has driven projects forward with prototyping, design systems, and efficient documentation. His work has led to significant usability improvements, such as reducing click requirements for key actions by over 50%. He has collaborated with aviation professionals on ergonomic solutions in industrial design.
In retail design, he ensures alignment with brand strategies and accessibility. Vianney volunteers as a UX/UI designer for the Nordic Waves Group, contributing his skills to support his community.

Conclusion

As I think about the journeys of these designers, the sadness of self-doubt gives way to something gentler, a bittersweet appreciation for the courage it takes to share our work with the world. These eight creatives, each with a unique background, remind us that design isn’t about perfection. Rather, it’s about honesty, resilience, and the ability to make people feel seen and understood. Their work is a beacon, illuminating the possibilities of design and showing that, no matter where we come from, there’s a place for each of us to leave our mark. 

To get even more inspiration check out 5 Wedding Photographers in the US Capturing the Most Loving Moments of Your Life and 5 Awe-Inspiring Digital Artists In North America Redefining the Future of Digital Art.