My UX journey

From Everyday Curiosity to UX Research: My Journey

Growing up, research was never a formal process for me; it was part of my everyday life. As a child, I was surrounded by multiple perspectives and voices. Unlike many children who often have one dominant figure to look up to and listen to, I had several—sometimes conflicting ones. This dynamic shaped me into a naturally sceptical individual. Whenever I heard something, I’d go home, dig deeper, and double-check whether it was true. It was less about distrust and more about a deep desire to understand things as they truly were.

This tendency to investigate and confirm laid the foundation for what would later become a passion for research. In today’s world, especially with the overwhelming presence of social media, being able to navigate information is critical. Research isn’t just about verifying facts; it’s about being digitally fluent, discerning, and secure in the choices we make.

The Project That Sparked My UX Research Journey

My formal journey into UX research began quite unexpectedly. I had an idea for an online e-commerce platform specialising in Asian-inspired interior design elements and architectural structures. Living in Georgia, I noticed a visible demand for certain unique elements—simple yet beautiful items like paper lanterns that could transform the interior of a home.

The project started with extensive research. I searched far and wide, communicating with factories and suppliers around the world, including those in China. The goal was to find partners who could meet our manufacturing and logistics needs while staying within budget. Eventually, after much searching, I identified suppliers who fit the criteria and moved on to the next challenge: choosing the best logistics provider. Given my self-imposed deadline and the nature of transportation costs, we opted for air freight. Shipping by sea, while often cheaper, involved lengthy declaration processes and hidden fees that made it less efficient for our needs.

While the products were en route, I realised that building an online store wasn’t just another task; it was an entirely different challenge—one that I found deeply engaging. The process was intense, but it never felt exhausting. In fact, it was the part of the venture that I enjoyed the most. I began learning how to design a website, studying the user base I was targeting, and focusing on creating an intuitive and enjoyable user experience.

Discovering My Passion for UX

To my surprise, this part of the journey felt incredibly natural. I dived into choosing the right iconography, designing layouts, and empathising with the user to make their experience seamless. I paid close attention to details like uploading high-quality content and following best practices for accessibility. I wanted the design to be modern, responsive, functional, and inclusive—an experience that anyone could navigate effortlessly.

There were, of course, countless other steps involved in getting the shop operational, from managing finances to marketing. But none of these tasks resonated with me as deeply as the UX aspect. It was a complex yet logical field, one that blended creativity with problem-solving. This realisation marked a turning point for me. I didn’t just

want to design websites; I wanted to understand users, solve their pain points, and create solutions that worked for them.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on my journey, I see how research has always been a part of who I am. From fact-checking as a child to managing the logistics of an e-commerce platform, and finally discovering the joy of UX design, the thread that ties it all together is a desire to learn, empathise, and improve. UX research feels like the natural culmination of this lifelong curiosity, and I’m excited to see where this path leads me next.