Ugochukwu Okafor is a multi-talented digital product designer who has helped many businesses thrive through his creative solutions. With over 8 years of experience designing for various industries such as fintech, e-commerce, health, and many more. He has a proven track record of being a team player, design mentor, and design thinking advocate over different design disciplines like graphics design, branding, animation, and UX design.
In an exclusive interview, Ugo shares the keys to success for product designers in today’s market. One of the biggest challenges product designers face is balancing the needs of their clients with their design principles. When asked how he collaborates with clients to ensure their needs are met while still staying true to his design principles, Ugo emphasized the importance of understanding his clients’ business needs. He believes that a product designer should also act as a consultant and help clients get the best results. He said, “As a designer, you need to understand how and what your client needs and help them get the best result. If they eventually come to the point where they need you, that’s fine!”
Ugo’s passion for continuous learning and facilitating design education in diverse communities stems from his experience learning without access to mentors. He aims to democratize design learning and often speaks on design, teaches budding designers, and collaborates with others toward their goals outside of his day job.
What sets successful product designers apart from those who struggle to find success in this field? According to Ugo, it’s structured creativity. Successful product designers are those who know how to structure their creativity in a way that solves a unique problem. They understand the intersection between their creativity and solving business needs. Ugo also stressed the importance of carrying out research and dedicating oneself to their work to become a successful product designer.
Ugo also shares his insights on balancing creative vision with practical constraints such as budget and timeline. He believes that drawing the line between what you want and what is objectively attainable is crucial for designers, particularly those who are senior and experienced. Shifting creative processes to practical, working solutions requires humility and a willingness to set aside personal preferences to achieve the best results.
Ugo has co-founded a few businesses one of which is Lumia.ng – a platform that helps over 30,000 customers conveniently pay their utility bills and accept payments easily in Nigeria. He hopes to build more products that positively changes the everyday experience for people. He is driven by the desire to make people’s lives better daily by creating simple and interesting solutions. Ugo’s ability to solve business needs through his structured creativity is what sets him apart from others in the field.
In conclusion, Ugo’s keys to success for product designers in today’s market includes understanding your clients’ business needs, having structured creativity, carrying out research, dedicating oneself to their work, and having the ability to draw the line between what you want and what works. With Ugo’s experience and passion for design, he is a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in this field.