We’re excited to announce the launch of our new series – “Inside LabForty.” Through this series, we’ll introduce you to the people behind everything we do and reveal how their expertise, attention to detail, and dedication turn ideas into tangible, impressive solutions.
In each installment, we’ll take a closer look at both the professional and personal sides of our team. You’ll discover what inspires them, how they tackle challenges, and the ways they create successful products. We’ll be sharing:
- Stories of Inspiration – how each of us finds inspiration and discovers creative solutions, even in the most challenging projects.
- Tech Practices – approaches and tips that help us streamline processes and work efficiently without compromising quality.
- Growth Advice – how we continuously sharpen and expand our skills
- Fun Facts & Hobbies – because behind every professional is a personal story and passions that enrich the entire team.
“Inside LabForty” is our way of showing that behind every successful project are real people, passion, and collaboration.
The Role of a UX/UI Designer in a Software Company
Every interface, menu, and visual detail shapes how users perceive a product. If the design isn’t carefully crafted, the software can feel unintuitive, slow, or even confusing—no matter how powerful its features are.
In our team, we believe that design is not just about aesthetics – it’s a tool that makes software accessible, enjoyable, and effective.
Melisa is not only a talented designer but also a mentor, eager to share her knowledge and experience with the next generation of professionals.
Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing
Beyond creating beautiful and functional interfaces, Melisa is actively involved with Mentor the Young – Bulgaria, a program that connects young talents with experienced professionals for a three-month mentorship.
I’m inspired by seeing young people grow, learning how to set goals and achieve them. Mentor the Young is a mutual experience – I also learn a lot from them.
Participants in the program can set up to three personal, career, or entrepreneurial goals. For Melisa, it’s an opportunity to share her passion for design and inspire the next generation of professionals. Here’s what she has to say:
She’s alert, creative, smart, and truly a ‘dream match.’ The most beautiful part of this process is that the inspiration is mutual.
How “Mentor the Young” Unlocks the Potential of Young Talent
The Mentor the Young program helps young people develop both professional and personal skills, while fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning. This is central to LabForty – we believe that the future of software depends on the people behind it, their expertise, and their inspiration.
Effective UX design requires more than just aesthetics and functionality – it demands a deep understanding of user behavior. A UX designer who thinks like a psychologist can identify users’ motivations, needs, and barriers, creating interfaces that are intuitive, logical, and efficient. This ensures that digital solutions don’t just work – they guide users toward the desired outcome while boosting business success through meaningful and engaging user experiences.
An Inspiring Meeting with Mel
Let’s learn more about Mel’s experience and motivation:
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a UX/UI designer?
The challenges that arise in my mind are not directly related to the design process itself or a specific project. I would say that the greatest challenges actually lie in the background and represent the delicate part of our work – meeting the client’s business goals while keeping the user at the center of our focus. Achieving this balance is only possible through transparent and open communication, which at LabForty is one of our guiding principles. By acting with people in mind, every challenge becomes an opportunity to create truly valuable products.
How do you maintain your creativity and motivation throughout projects?
With quite a few activities outside of my workday—again connected to creativity, but also involving movement—I felt a slight burnout last year and realized it was directly linked to a lack of balance in how I was managing my energy. Creativity has always been a part of me, even before I started working in design, and today I can say that the joy of being effective is the greatest motivation that drives me.
What advice would you give to aspiring designers for building an impressive portfolio?
A portfolio begins to take shape long before we start creating it digitally: the small details in everyday life are actually part of the core design principles. If we can train ourselves to notice and pay attention to them, we’ve already covered half the journey. Color psychology, Gestalt principles, human behavior – these are the starting points for a holistic approach in our profession. By following this approach, we unlock authenticity, and authenticity, in turn, is truly impressive and leaves a lasting impact.
What inspires you to be a mentor and share your knowledge with young designers?
There is no greater inspiration than sharing a part of your experience in a way that not only sparks creativity in someone else but also helps them avoid making the same mistakes. Our profession often creates a deep emotional connection to our work, which can sometimes get in the way of making sound business decisions. That’s why, whenever I have mentored, my main goal has been not just to show how to work with Photoshop or Figma, but also to help build a healthy relationship with design – to draw energy and inspiration from it while setting clear boundaries.
What are the expectations of the Mentor the Young program?
Honestly, at the beginning, when I applied, I had no idea how the process would go or what to expect. Today, I can say that I was incredibly lucky with my mentee, and I am, to put it mildly, impressed. We will certainly achieve all the goals we’ve set, thanks to her dedication and skills. And even though the program has a set timeframe, that absolutely doesn’t apply to our relationship. We clicked perfectly, both as people and as future colleagues, and I’m confident that she will grow into a truly successful designer.
What is the most important message you want to leave for the young UX/UI designers in the program?
Keep the energy of the junior within you – that way, even as you gain experience, you’ll stay in control of your ego, remain just as curious, and feel every completed project as your greatest victory, as if it were the very first one you ever created. This is a sure recipe for preserving the thrill of your work — without it, we become no different from those who don’t enjoy what they do.
Quick Questions:
Q: Favorite tools?
A: Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, LabForty AI, Obsidian
Q: Coffee or tea for inspiration?
A: Depends on the time of day you ask me :)
Q: Must-have in the office for creativity?
A: Good vibes
Q: Dream vacation destination?
A: Norway
Q: Favorite designer or design style?
A: @elliotisacoolguy has it all
Q: Favorite type of project to work on?
A: Every project has its charm, but probably websites
Q: Biggest design inspiration?
A: Life itself
Q: Favorite prototyping software?
A: Figma
Q: How do you unwind after an intense workday?
A: Fitness, cooking, reading
Q: Favorite color tone or palette?
A: Dark forest green / Warm greens
Q: Which UX element do you consider most important?
A: Empathy
Q: Favorite platform for inspiration?
A: Pinterest
Q: What style of music motivates you at work?
A: Silence helps me focus the most
We’re proud to have a talented UX/UI designer like Melisa as part of our team. We hope her experience and creative approach have inspired you and offered new perspectives on the world of design. Stay tuned for more meetings and conversations with the people shaping the future of digital solutions.
Melisa is just one example of the talent and dedication that drive our team forward. Every meeting, every idea, and every new solution we create reflects the people behind them – professionals who put their heart and thought into everything they do. Because behind every digital transformation are the people – their talent, ideas, and drive to create something more.
