My Product Design Journey: Learning UI- Week 20 (Throwback designs)

It’s been about four months since my last Learning UI post…and I’m back! This time, I’m switching from weekly updates to a monthly one. Slow and steady feels more sustainable.

Today I opened some of my old Figma files and realized just how much I’ve grown in the past few months, and even more over the last two years.

My product design journey started with UX Design, thanks to the Google Coursera Design Certificate. I learned about information architecture, user personas, journey maps, a bit of human–computer interaction, and the psychology behind creating experiences both digital and physical.

But my UI skills were non-existent. I don’t have a graphic design background, and if I’m honest, I cared more about the quality of an experience than how it looked. All that glitters is not gold, right?

I knew that had to change. As a Product Designer, my role is to merge user experience, visual design, and strategy into one.

Everyone told me, “Study good designs!” but no one said where to find them. So I started downloading apps and exploring random websites. Eventually, after countless Google searches, I stumbled across Mobbin, and that discovery completely changed how I design and how I notice beauty in everyday life.

I was told to look for designs and study designs, but “where do i find these designs?” I asked. No one told me where to find designs, so i started downloading apps and randomly searching for websites I knew about, and then randomly, I discovered Mobbin after several google keywords, and that discovery has changed the way I now design and how I appreciate beautiful things in everyday life.

Throwback designs (mobile app)

This was what my mobile screens used to look like

Before

After

Throwback designs (website/desktop)

Before

After

After

I’m far from where I want to be, but I feel really good about how far I’ve come and where I’m going.

Next month, I’ll be posting a round-up of my favorite Mobbin finds and how they’re influencing my current project. I’ve also just begun Jake Bartlett’s Adobe After Effects course on Skillshare, and I’m excited to see how motion design might shape my UI work.

What resources helped you improve your UI skills?