Finding your creative voice in tech through "design thinking"

When people talk about design, they are often referring to just the visualisation. But before that, there's "design thinking" - understanding the client's industry and business, identifying the real problem and explaining the reasoning behind your decisions.  

Trusting your own ideas and developing your creative voice is the key to "design thinking".

Human-centred design is what connects design thinking to real outcomes. In data and analytics projects, that means understanding how different users interact with information (whether they are analysts, executives or frontline staff) and designing tools that genuinely support the way they work. 

When technology is built around people rather than assumptions, the solutions are far more effective.

From branding to UX/UI: Discovering user pain points

My career began in South Korea where I studied and later worked in branding design. While I enjoyed visual storytelling, I found myself increasingly drawn to UI and UX projects that focused on identifying user pain points and solving them through structured design.

I was more attracted to finding users' pain points and what they actually need. Seeing a problem and solving it through design felt like a natural fit.

When I moved to Australia, shifting into UX/UI changed my focus from visual identity to digital product design, where logic, communication and user understanding sit alongside creativity.

Designing requires learning your client's business and industry

At data and digital transformation firm Notitia, I work across both internal company design initiatives and client-facing projects spanning a wide range of industries. This exposure has accelerated my growth and broadened my perspective.

At Notitia we work with clients from very different industries, and each one has its own language. You have to understand how each organisation works before you can design something meaningful.

Design thinking the key to clear communication

Earlier in my career, I would describe myself as more passive, executing tasks directed by senior designers. Over time, particularly through my work at Notitia, I've shifted toward a proactive and independent approach.

Developing that confidence has required improving my communication skills as much as my design skills.

As a designer, how you present your work is very important. It's not enough to show a design. You need to explain why it works.

Remaining open to feedback is important because critique is an essential part of the design process. I always try to see if there's a better way to implement something, but I've also learned to recognise when feedback may conflict with a project's core objective.

If feedback isn't aligned with the main goal, I'm more comfortable now pointing that out. For example, if a client suggests placing a button on one side, and I believe it should be elsewhere for usability reasons, I'll explain why. There is always reasoning behind design decisions.

The key is not to impose ideas, but to communicate them clearly. It's not about saying "this is better". It's about explaining the thinking behind it.

Finding a shared language between designers and technical teams

Working in technical environments has reinforced the importance of shared language.

Designers understand each other easily, but we work with developers, analysts and clients who may not think in the same way. We need to find a common language.

This translation between creative thinking and technical implementation is what gives design its real value. In UX/UI, you might think one issue is the main problem, but sometimes the client sees something different. You have to start with their understanding first.

Advice for emerging designers in technology

I would encourage students and early-career professionals entering design or technology to focus on thinking and communication, not just aesthetics. Rather than focusing only on visual output, focus on design thinking. Learn how to explain your process clearly.

Design is not just about how something looks. It's about narrowing the gap between different teams and helping everyone understand why something works.

Finding my own creative voice has been less about speaking louder and more about speaking with clarity.

When you can explain your reasoning in a way others understand, that's when people start trusting your ideas.

That's when you really find your voice.