Welcome to my Substack!
Here's what you need to know
Who am I and why should you bother to read my posts?
Hello there! I’m Toni, a Creative UI/UX Designer. I love documenting my design process and the messages I aim to convey through my work. That’s why I created this Substack account, It’s a blank canvas where I can freely express my ideas, connect with readers and potential clients, and maintain a record of my creative journey.
How did I get into the design space?
You might be wondering, how did I get into the design space? It all started in 2022 when my university went on strike. I got bored and wanted to try something new, especially since everyone was talking about tech. So, I searched for opportunities, found Zuritraining, and enrolled in their product design course.
After completing the three-month training, I discovered a real passion for design. I started participating in design competitions and joined the HNGi8 Internship, where I became a top finalist. Although I haven't landed my dream job or role yet, I'm confident it's just around the corner.
Why design?
During the registration process, there were other options available such as project management, front-end development, back-end development, and full-stack development. Product development wasn't an option for me because it looked like it had to do with mathematics which I find daunting, but I know better now. I was not curious about project management either.
I chose design because it felt more approachable and aligned with my curiosity about how digital products are made. I’ve always been fascinated by how ideas are transformed into the live products we use, including the research and overall design process. Design felt like something I could excel at and enjoy.
Do I still feel the same way about Product Development?
A part of me still does, but now I'm also curious about product development. It might be a field I’ll explore as time goes on. If I do, you’ll know all about it as long as I keep writing here.
What other things do I love doing?
The first thing on the list is dancing. I love how expressive and fun dance is. It’s my go-to activity when I’m sad, unsure, or happy. I love hip-hop dance and used to be a big fan of Matt Steffanina, Les Twins, and Kida. My current favorites are Sean Lew and the GRV crew. I watched a lot of their videos, practiced extensively, and taught myself the skill. I use the past tense "watched" because I'm not an avid watcher anymore. Back then, I was obsessed!
Next up is baking. As a young teenager, I loved watching Food Network and wanted to replicate some of the things I saw on TV, especially the cakes.
So you know what I did? I got some baking ingredients and, luckily for me, we had an oven and some baking materials at home since my sister used to bake. I started practicing, fell in love with the smell of freshly baked goods, and cherished the joy it brought to others when shared. I still do!
Oh! and this eventually turned into a commercial business, but I may take you through that journey another day.
Why Substack?
Before creating my Substack account, I scattered my writings across various platforms like Google Docs, Behance, Notion, and Medium. Each platform served a unique purpose in my creative process. For instance, Google Docs felt personal and private to me, making it my go-to for drafting before transferring content to Notion and eventually publishing on Medium.
Yes, I know
Medium and Notion are quite similar, so I decided to conduct a mini-survey among my writer friends to explore their preferences for these platforms.
Me: T, Which do you prefer, Substack or Medium?
T: Both, actually. I use Medium for technical writing and Substack for personal stuff.
Friend 2: Substack, It feels more professional and user-friendly, especially on the system. You can seemlessly transition from formal to informal writing and it gives this newsletter vibe. However, Medium feels purely informal. While Medium may be more popular, Substack offers more options for reviewing writer's backlog.
Will I be writing just case studies?
No. I want my Substack to be a space where I can document not just my design process, but also share relatable instances. For example, I might discuss how something I've seen fascinates me and triggers a childhood memory, or reflections on job application processes. Essentially, I want to cover topics that interest me, including the most random of things, always circling back to the central theme of design.
How often will I be posting?
The goal is to post bi-weekly, but the specific day of the week is yet to be decided. You can expect a post twice every month. However, I won't count this as a post since it's more of an introduction.
Until then, expect my next post really soon. It's about a very interesting design exploration I embarked on.
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