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.
Onthatile Jonas
July 31, 2025
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.
About the Author
Onthatile Jonas is a product designer who designs websites and mobile applications with a thoughtful, people-centred lens as she has a background in humanities - including feminist studies, psychology, and sociology. Outside of tech, she is into fashion, designing crochet and knitwear clothing and accessories.
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.