
What Working at a Startup Taught Me About Design (and Myself)
When I joined AakiTech, I assumed that design work would mostly involve wireframes, mockups, and ensuring that the user interface looked clean. And yes, sometimes it is that. But what I did not expect was how much of the work would happen outside the screen.
Over the past year, I have designed digital products but I have also led our team blogging process, helped organise milestone events, supported marketing projects, and co-created internal systems. The biggest thing I have learned? At a startup, design is not just a role; it is a mindset that informs everything.
The Messy Reality (and Why That Is Not a Bad Thing)
Startups move quickly. Priorities shift, roles overlap, and more often than not, we are figuring things out as we go. There is rarely a perfect brief or a neat handoff. Sometimes I am designing an app feature; other times, I am designing a process.
Initially, that felt disorienting. But now, I see it as an opportunity. It has taught me to think beyond the screen - to design with broader context in mind and to value progress over perfection. I have had to become resourceful, flexible, and open to tasks outside my comfort zone.
Three Moments That Shaped Me
Leading the AakiTech blog reboot: I did not just design visuals - I helped shape how we blog as a team. From gathering input to supporting contributors, I found myself designing a process, not just a product.
Organising milestone events: This taught me how to translate culture into experience - planning for flow, accessibility, and how we celebrate together.
Supporting marketing efforts: A few months ago, I stepped into communications and branding tasks. It showed me how design and messaging connect, and how values are communicated across different platforms.
What I Have Learned (So Far)
Design is collaborative. It is not about working in isolation and returning with a polished solution. It is about conversation, iteration, and co-creation. Clarity is more valuable than perfection. Especially in early-stage environments, helping teams move forward with clear communication often matters more than pixel-perfect designs.
I am more adaptable than I realised. From blog strategy to UI design to internal operations, I have embraced new roles and learned from each one.
Craft is still at the centre. Whether I am designing an interface or crocheting a new piece after hours, I am drawn to building things that are intentional, textured, and thoughtful.
Looking Ahead
Working at a startup has not only improved my design skills - it has also helped me understand why I design. It is not just about creating screens; it is about shaping how people experience systems, stories, and spaces. It is about building with care, staying grounded in uncertainty, and evolving as both a creative and a collaborator.
I am still learning, and I imagine I always will be. But that, I think, is the best part.
Design grows with you.
If you are figuring it out too, I would say stay curious, stay building. We will keep sharing what we learn.