Maria Paz Pineda

Can design actually improve people’s lives? I guess that is a hypothesis I have been trying to prove since before I can remember.

From my early days as an architecture student and later as a professional I always aimed to create meaningful spaces, spaces that would have a positive impact on users no matter how small these interventions were. Whether it was full urban plans or single-family homes, I always had a focus on how the users would live and own the space and how this would affect their daily lives, hopefully improving them at least a little bit.

Looking back, now I realize how I have been obsessed with User Experience since before being introduced to it.

However, as I moved forward in my career and the more I delved into the profession, the more I felt I was growing apart from it and despite my desire to create I found it harder to see myself evolving in the field. For a while I didn’t know in which direction to re-focus my career, I wanted to develop in a creative field where I could keep impacting people’s lives through design but neither architecture nor the other traditional design fields seemed a good fit.

Everything changed when I was formally introduced to UI/UX Design, and I say formally because even if I didn’t know of it as a discipline before, it was already part of my everyday life. Now I wanted to be a part of it from the other side, I wanted to be the one creating these interfaces and experiences, it felt like the perfect match. One of the most exciting aspects of UX design for me is its interdisciplinary nature. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about understanding human behaviour, conducting research, and solving complex problems. Just like in architecture, the end-users are the front and center. Every wireframe, every interaction, is crafted with the user in mind, ensuring that the final product meets their needs and exceeds their expectations.

However, like all major changes in life, this transition wasn't as smooth as I would have wished. Shifting gears from architecture to UX design required me to acquire new skills and adapt to a different mindset. Nevertheless, I also found here a space where my architecture knowledge and skills can also provide value and help in achieving better results. Every barrier I encountered was a chance to grow, expand my knowledge base and extend my craft further at the same time.

Thanks to Miyagami I am able to explore this exciting new chapter in my career. I'm filled with a sense of purpose and excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead and the projects to come. This opportunity has allowed me to redefine my role as a creator and a designer, shaping experiences that resonate with people on a profound level.

At Miyagami I get to work hand-in-hand with an amazing team and face challenges that allow me to create and grow. As an interdisciplinary team, we get to create products that have a real impact on people's lives, making their interactions with technology more seamless and more enjoyable. Here I feel that not only have I found the right path to follow but also the right team and environment to dive deeper into this adventure with.