Let’s meet you (Your Name, What You do, where you currently work)

I’m Oluwatobi Adewuyi, I’m a product designer and I currently work with the Geeky Ninja. 

Can you walk us through your journey from attending Utiva Design School to your current role as a Product Designer at The Geeky Ninja, highlighting key experiences or insights gained along the way?

I got to know about Utiva from a friend who convinced me to transition from graphics design to product design. Although I’ve always wanted to be a UI/UX Designer a few years back, but I couldn’t find the pathway back then. My friend suggested two tech institutions, but when I visited Utiva’s website, I liked the interface (as someone who’s used to designs). I made payments and joined over 50 other learners, who were in the same cohort with me. 

The lectures were done in a comprehensive and robust form. That's what makes it special as we had the privilege to interact with the tutor and other learners. We were also given a project to execute, which would eventually be used to build our portfolio. 

How did your time at Utiva Design School prepare you for a career in product design, and what aspects of the program do you believe have been most beneficial to your professional development?

We had amazing trainers (Ayoleyi and Geneieve)  and an efficient support person (Favour). During my training, I was able to connect the dots between my UI to UX skills and the necessary things needed to make me a professional product designer. We were also peered in groups to work on a project which helped in bridging the gap between theory and practicals. I was able to build a great portfolio with the capstone projects. 

 It was this portfolio that got me my first role as a product designer. 

What motivated you to pursue a career in product design, and how did you navigate the transition from completing your education to securing a role at The Geeky Ninja?

The desire to design a user-friendly experience is my greatest motivation. I like simplifying complex tasks while focusing on usability. 
 

Can you share a specific project or challenge you worked on at The Geeky Ninja that you are particularly proud of, and how your background in product design contributed to its success?

The Geeky Ninja is a development agency, we work on several projects sometimes simultaneously. A particular web3 application we worked on towards the end of 2023 was really challenging as I had to do a lot of research as a team member working on the project. The team trusted my judgment, hence I have to make informed decisions based on data. I was able to learn practically how to design web3 applications as I was seriously stretched. The client loved the job and gave the go-ahead to the development stage. 

As a product designer, how do you approach the process of ideation, prototyping, and iteration when working on new product features or designs at The Geeky Ninja?

Firstly, I start by researching similar products. Secondly, I come up with an idea and think it through with the team, including the designers and developers. I received all the feedback and effected the changes till we got the desired result. 

What role does user research and feedback play in your design process at The Geeky Ninja, and how do you ensure that user needs and preferences are effectively incorporated into your designs?

Designing based on objective data is important for a product designer. At the top of my design process is research. 

How do you collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as product managers and engineers, to ensure alignment and successful execution of design projects at The Geeky Ninja?

Collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential for the successful execution of design projects at TGN. To ensure alignment, I initiate regular communication and collaboration sessions with product managers and engineers from the project's outset. Which includes: Kickoff Meetings, Iterative Design Reviews, Prototyping, and Testing. 

By fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication, we can leverage the diverse expertise of cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional design solutions that meet user needs and business objectives at The Geeky Ninja.

Can you discuss a time when you faced a design-related challenge or obstacle at The Geeky Ninja, and how did you overcome it to deliver a successful outcome?

I recall a time I was asked to make a landing page that would increase the conversation rate of a client. They already have a design. So I had to research a design consistent with UX laws and relevant to the client’s industry. 

In what ways do you stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and best practices in product design, and how do you incorporate this knowledge into your work at The Geeky Ninja?

I subscribe to design blogs and watch YouTube videos. 

How do you measure the effectiveness of your design solutions at The Geeky Ninja, and what metrics or indicators do you use to assess their impact on user experience and product success?

Feedback from stakeholders and my superiors. Furthermore, Conversion rate also plays a big role in product success metrics. 
 

Looking ahead, what are your career goals or aspirations within the field of product design, and how do you plan to continue growing and evolving in your role at The Geeky Ninja?

To establish an edtech training institute that trains tech talents and connects them with foreign and local companies.

What are your final words?

 Live beyond yourself. Failure to push for more is setting a limit on the next generation.

 Oluwatobi Adewuyi is a UX/UI Designer with The Geeky Ninja. He is based in Lagos, Nigeria.  He optimizes business goals by solving human problems through user research and design. This gives him a unique edge in empathizing with users and improving their experience through design. He is constantly seeking new ways to learn and grow through real-world experiences.

He is passionate about human psychology, inclusive and accessible design, as well as cross-functional collaboration within teams. 

Feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn HERE