In the year 2023, my journey as an STA has been very impactful, not just for my professional development but also for learning personal skills and helping others.
Starting with Figma, my goal was to deepen my understanding and practical skills in prototyping and user experience design. I followed a structured learning path, beginning with foundational tutorials on LinkedIn Learning and advancing to more complex UX design principles. This educational journey culminated in organizing and leading a workshop for beginners, sharing my newly acquired knowledge and skills. The hands-on application of Figma allowed me to explore creative realms in designing user interfaces for a mobile app, incorporating advanced techniques such as shadows, styling, components, and variants, and creating animated designs.
Additionally, I ventured into enhancing my Canva skills, focusing on applying design principles to real-world branding and marketing tasks. This initiative was driven by a desire to create visually appealing professional documents and promotional materials. Through various tutorials, I mastered designing resumes tailored to specific occupations, such as UX and graphic design, which involved a deep understanding of aesthetics and functionality that appeal to industry professionals. Furthermore, my project ‘Explore Addis’—a poster and pamphlet campaign for Addis Ababa—was a practical application of my learning, showcasing my ability to brand and market a city through thoughtful design.
The achievements of this year were not just about learning new tools but about applying these tools in practical, impactful ways. My workshops and projects equipped me with the confidence and skills to assist others in navigating these powerful design platforms.
As I reflect on this past year, I am grateful for the opportunities to grow and contribute to the learning community. The skills I’ve developed are not just relevant academically but are also essential for my future career in technology and design. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue this path of learning, sharing, and empowering others through education.
