We recently connected with Alan Toleu and have shared our conversation below.
Alan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
Oh yeah, I’m very content with being a UX designer because being a UX designer who focuses on creating designs that are as accessible as possible can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and society at large.
In general, UX design offers a fulfilling career path that can bring happiness in different ways. It allows me to use my creativity and skills to create engaging user experiences that meet users’ needs. Furthermore, it involves solving complex problems, which can be gratifying for designers who enjoy challenges and effective solutions.
Also, it has the potential to significantly impact people’s lives by improving their experiences with intuitive and accessible designs. This positive impact can be a source of motivation and happiness for designers. Additionally, the collaborative environment of this field can be rewarding for those who thrive in teamwork and social settings. Designers who enjoy continuous learning and personal growth can find satisfaction and happiness in the ever-evolving field of UX design.
Personally, I’d find it difficult to imagine having a regular job. Regular jobs often follow a standard routine and lack the creative freedom and flexibility that designers require to produce their best work. The world of design in general is constantly evolving, and designers must stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques to remain competitive. This requires a level of creativity and passion that cannot be fulfilled in a typical 9-to-5 job. Additionally, most all creative fields often require collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as developers, product managers, and marketers. This collaborative environment provides an opportunity for designers to learn and grow from their peers, which is a vital aspect of personal and professional development.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My story begins in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where I grew up with a passion for tennis and design. After 15 years of playing tennis professionally, I received an athletic scholarship to play for a US college, where I also pursued my passion for design. I majored in User Experience Design and minored in Graphic Design at Savannah College of Art and Design, while also playing for the SCAD Men’s Tennis Team. I was even ranked in the top three for Team Kazakhstan (12 & under) and the top ten for the Youth National Team (14 & under) in my country.
During my time at SCAD, I had a chance to work on multiple UX projects with other talented students which helped me choose the area of UX that I’d like to focus more. And this area is ‘Design Accessibility’ which is a design process in which the needs of people with disabilities are specifically considered. I got so lucky that for one of my UX classes, my teammates and I agreed to pick a topic that revolved around that field. In the end, we came up with a project that I’m very proud of named ‘Tactile’ which is an app paired with a replaceable white cane tip that reads RFID-enabled pavements to provide navigational information for an independent wayfinding experience throughout corporate and educational campuses.
Following graduation, I landed exciting opportunities as a UX/UI Designer for big companies such as Lowe’s, Synchrony Financial, The Home Depot, and Macmillan. My hard work paid off this year when my UX projects won several prestigious design awards, including the Indigo Design Award, Red Dot Design Award, European Product Design Award, and International Design Excellence Award by IDSA. I’m now working as a Digital Production Artist (UI Designer) for the Digital Experience Design team at Epsilon, which is a part of Publicis Groupe.
My unique background in both tennis and design has given me a competitive edge in the industry. My love for the game has instilled in me the discipline and focus needed to excel in design, while my creativity and passion have allowed me to produce exceptional work that is recognized by the design community. I’m excited to see where my career in UX design takes me next.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Many foreign creatives and designers may need to unlearn the idea that their cultural background is a hindrance in the field. Rather than seeing it as a disadvantage, cultural diversity can bring unique perspectives and ideas to design, making it a valuable asset. Instead of conforming to the dominant culture, foreign creatives should embrace their cultural heritage and use it as a strength in their work.
As a Kazakh designer, I could demonstrate my individual viewpoint by integrating components of my cultural legacy into the designs. For instance, if I was designing a website for a restaurant, I could examine utilizing conventional Kazakh patterns and colors in the design and graphics to develop an authentic and distinguishing experience for users. This wouldn’t only enhance the quality of my work but also serve as a means of presenting my cultural background.
Another lesson that may need to be unlearned is the belief that design is purely objective and that there is only one “right” way to design. Design is subjective and what is effective or aesthetically pleasing in one culture may not be in another. Therefore, foreign creatives should accept the subjectivity of design and strive to create work that connects with their target audience, rather than rigidly adhering to design principles. This approach can result in designs that are both effective and culturally relevant.
To illustrate this point, imagine a designer from a foreign country creating a mobile app for a US-based company. The designer’s cultural background may influence their design preferences, such as a preference for bold and vibrant colors. However, the US-based company’s target audience may prefer a more understated and minimalist design. Rather than sticking to their cultural design principles, the designer could conduct research and integrate design elements that are more recognizable and attractive to the target audience, such as using a limited color palette or incorporating familiar symbols and icons. By adopting this approach, the designer can develop a design that resonates with the target audience and successfully achieves the app’s intended objectives.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
As a UX designer who specializes in design accessibility and user interface design, the most rewarding aspect of my work is creating inclusive products that can improve the lives of many people. Knowing that my work has the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives is incredibly fulfilling and motivating. Also, working with diverse user groups and gaining a deeper understanding of their needs is also very satisfying as well.
Likewise, collaborating with people and industries from a variety of backgrounds is another fulfilling part of the job. Working alongside designers, developers, engineers, researchers, and business stakeholders to create a product that meets user needs is an opportunity for growth and learning. Through this collaborative process, I’m able to contribute to a team effort while enhancing my own skills as a designer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.toleu.design/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alan.toleu/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alantoleu/
Image Credits
Alan Toleu (toleu.design)