Meet our UX/UI designer Melisa

We are excited to launch our new series, "Inside LabForty". In it, we introduce the people behind everything we do and show how their expertise, attention to detail and dedication turn ideas into real, impressive solutions.

In each instalment, we look at both the professional and the personal side of our team. You will find out what inspires them, how they tackle challenges and how they create successful products. We will share:

• Stories of inspiration: how each of us finds inspiration and 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 keep sharpening and expanding our skills.
• Fun facts and hobbies: because behind every professional is a personal story and passions that enrich the whole 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 see a product. If the design is not carefully crafted, the software can feel unintuitive, slow or even confusing, however powerful its features are.

In our team, we believe that design is not just about aesthetics. It is a tool that makes software accessible, enjoyable and effective.

Melisa is not only a talented designer but also a mentor, keen to share her knowledge and experience with the next generation of professionals.

Mentorship and knowledge sharing

Beyond creating beautiful, functional interfaces, Melisa is actively involved with Mentor the Young Bulgaria, a programme that connects young talent with experienced professionals for a three-month mentorship.

I am inspired by seeing young people grow and learn how to set goals and achieve them. Mentor the Young is a mutual experience. I also learn a lot from them.

Participants in the programme can set up to three personal, career or entrepreneurial goals. For Melisa, it is a chance to share her passion for design and inspire the next generation of professionals. Here is what she says about her mentee:

She is 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 programme helps young people build professional and personal skills and encourages a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning. This is central to LabForty. We believe the future of software depends on the people behind it, their expertise and their inspiration.

Effective UX design needs more than aesthetics and functionality. It needs a deep understanding of user behaviour. A UX designer who thinks like a psychologist can spot users' motivations, needs and barriers and create interfaces that are intuitive, logical and efficient. That way, digital solutions do not just work. They guide users to the desired outcome and support business success through meaningful, engaging user experiences, which is how we approach website design.

An inspiring meeting with Mel

Let us learn more about Mel's experience and motivation.

What have been the biggest challenges you have faced as a UX/UI designer?

The challenges that come to mind are not directly related to the design process itself or to a specific project. I would say the greatest challenges sit in the background and are the delicate part of our work: meeting the client's business goals while keeping the user at the centre. Reaching that balance is only possible through transparent, open communication, which is one of our guiding principles at LabForty. When you act with people in mind, every challenge becomes a chance to create truly valuable products.

How do you keep your creativity and motivation throughout projects?

I have quite a few activities outside my working day, again connected to creativity but also to movement. Last year I felt a slight burnout and realised it was directly linked to a lack of balance in how I managed my energy. Creativity has always been 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 starts to take shape long before we create it digitally. The small details of everyday life are part of the core design principles. If we train ourselves to notice them, we have already covered half the journey. Colour psychology, Gestalt principles and human behaviour are the starting points for a holistic approach in our profession. Following this approach unlocks authenticity, and authenticity is truly impressive and leaves a lasting mark.

What inspires you to be a mentor and share your knowledge with young designers?

There is no greater inspiration than sharing part of your experience in a way that sparks creativity in someone else and also helps them avoid the same mistakes. Our profession often creates a deep emotional connection to our work, which can get in the way of sound business decisions. That is why, whenever I have mentored, my main goal has been not just to show how to work with Photoshop or Figma, but to help build a healthy relationship with design: drawing energy and inspiration from it while setting clear boundaries.

What were your expectations of the Mentor the Young programme?

Honestly, when I applied, I had no idea how the process would go or what to expect. Today I can say I was incredibly lucky with my mentee, and I am, to put it mildly, impressed. We will certainly achieve all the goals we have set, thanks to her dedication and skills. And although the programme has a set timeframe, that does not apply to our relationship at all. We clicked perfectly, as people and as future colleagues, and I am confident 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 programme?

Keep the energy of a junior within you. That way, even as you gain experience, you will keep your ego in check, stay just as curious and feel every completed project as your greatest victory, as if it were the very first one you created. This is a sure recipe for keeping the thrill of your work. Without it, we are no different from people who do not enjoy what they do.

Quick questions

Q: Favourite tools?
A: Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, LabForty AI, Obsidian

Q: Coffee or tea for inspiration?
A: It depends on the time of day you ask me.

Q: Must-have in the office for creativity?
A: Good vibes

Q: Dream holiday destination?
A: Norway

Q: Favourite designer or design style?
A: @elliotisacoolguy has it all

Q: Favourite type of project?
A: Every project has its charm, but probably websites

Q: Biggest design inspiration?
A: Life itself

Q: Favourite prototyping software?
A: Figma

Q: How do you unwind after an intense workday?
A: Fitness, cooking, reading

Q: Favourite colour tone or palette?
A: Dark forest green and warm greens

Q: Which UX element do you consider most important?
A: Empathy

Q: Favourite platform for inspiration?
A: Pinterest

Q: What music motivates you at work?
A: Silence helps me focus the most

We are proud to have a talented UX/UI designer like Melisa in 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 conversations with the people shaping the future of digital solutions.

Melisa is 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 it: professionals who put heart and thought into everything they do. Behind every digital transformation are people, with their talent, ideas and drive to create something more. If you would like to work with them, see our careers page.