Becoming a Digital Designer

To celebrate 1 year of working at Here I Am, we asked Diana Wambui, our wonderful Junior Digital Designer, what she’d learnt in her first 12 months with us and what advice she would give to other designers joining the sector.

How would you describe your first year at Here I Am?

My first year at Here I Am has been nothing short of amazing. I have worked on impactful projects that align with my initial reasons for choosing to be a designer - to bring positive change to people's lives through the products that I create.

I have gained lots of experience and skills as a designer - my biggest learning is to always have users at the front of my mind, in every design that I do.

Can you share a memorable moment or highlight from your first year?

I have two memorable moments. The first was seeing WAZZII, a Girl Effect SRH (Sexual and Reproductive Health) chatbot for girls, go live in Kenya. I was part of this project, co-facilitating face-to-face workshops and running online sessions with AGYW. This was my first time facilitating so I was nervous, but once I started interacting with the girls, it felt amazing to be helping young people to come together to share their opinions freely and building something together with them.

The second was designing our Fatima website. This project taught me about collaboration, not only between the design team, but also with the development team. I got to work together with our tech lead and understand what was implemented from my designs - and which elements were optimised in the development stage. It was an incredibly rewarding, learning experience.

I am excited to see what this year brings.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Working on UI design is particularly exciting for me. I have worked on projects like Champions, by Girl Effect, a new model and app for disseminating information into hard to reach communities, and our Fatima website. These tasks challenge my creativity, which can be frustrating at first, but once the ideas start flowing, it's incredibly rewarding to see the visuals and designs come to life. Seeing my work recognised by others is especially gratifying.

I also enjoy designing our marketing communications - you’ll see my graphic work on our blog and throughout our case studies.

What skills or knowledge have you gained during your time here?

Over the past year, I have gained extensive knowledge in designing with a human-centered approach. For example, I participated in an in-person Google Ventures sprint in Kenya, working together with AGYW and Girl Effect stakeholders. I have learnt how to run workshops and involve users by creating a safe, welcoming space for them to share their views without judgment, which helps them to come up with solutions that serve them.

What was the biggest challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge I faced was becoming more outspoken and gaining confidence in sharing my ideas. I eventually realised that my voice matters in the team. This understanding motivated me to engage more in team discussions and seek feedback from my colleagues, which has helped me continuously work on and improve my confidence.

What aspects of the work environment do you appreciate the most?

I appreciate the supportive nature of the team the most. Having people who are there to support me and steer me in the right direction makes a big difference. I don't have to be afraid of being wrong because I know I have support. Additionally, the time flexibility gives me a great balance in my life, which I really value.

What advice would you give someone hoping to become a fellow digital designer

Don’t give up and follow your instincts. There is lots of noise and doubt that comes from both within and outside, which may make you feel like stopping or that you aren't good enough. However, this is the most crucial moment to rise and keep going. I always remind myself that it's okay to give myself the grace to learn and grow.

Additionally, identify a mentor. It might be someone you know or someone you follow online whose goals align with yours. Many of them are amazing people willing to help juniors navigate this field. Feel free to reach out to me as well. I may have less experience, but I am here to help you navigate this path.