In the dynamic landscape of digital innovation, professionals may navigate different fields to fulfill the requirements of modern roles. Ladan Kashani‘s journey exemplifies this fluidity, as she seamlessly integrates her web design, application development, and UX/UI expertise to create impactful solutions.
Ladan’s journey began in her homeland, Iran, where she cultivated her passion for design and application development. After completing her Bachelor of Arts in French Language Translation, she continued honing her skills in various companies for a couple years. She ventured into the world of web design and took on multiple tasks, from designing websites to coding.
However, Ladan’s ambitions reached beyond borders, and she set sights on Canada. Here, she embraced the opportunity to further her education and earned a UX/UI design certificate from CDI College, setting the stage for her future endeavours. With skills and knowledge applicable in multiple fields, we had to ask why she chose UX/UI.
“I love problem-solving, and UX/UI present many types of creative problems!”
Ladan answers with passion shining through and a big smile. She continues, “These problem could be like figuring out how to direct users’ behavior, or figuring out how to fit all design elements on a page while making it look good!”
In January 2023, Ladan continued to exercise her skills as a UX/UI designer after joining our Women IT Teleworkers (WITT) team, contributing to our app development project. A friend had referred her to the project, and Ladan quickly became a valued team member, thanks to her ability to collaborate with a cross-functional team, including designers, managers, and developers, and spearheading competitive analysis, user research, prototyping, and usability testing initiatives.
Ladan’s transferable skills made the transition from web design to UX/UI design seamless. While some may perceive these roles as distinct, Ladan emphasizes their complementary nature. “Web design addresses client-centric needs, while UX/UI design prioritizes user-centric solutions to enhance product usability and satisfaction. Both roles allow me to problem-solve and come up with a solution!” she says.
She further shares one problem where she helped solve with our app development team, and where she emphasizes not only creating beautiful but also user friendly designs by implementing user-centred design principles.
“In the sign-up pages for the KIDS FIRST app, users reported difficulty navigating through the registration process. Understanding the importance of a smooth onboarding experience, I dove into analyzing the existing flow. I conducted interviews with users and analyzed feedback. It became evident that the flow was overwhelming for users, and with a clear understanding of users’ pain points, I collaborated with fellow designers and developers to create a sign-up flow that is clear and simple for users. We also introduced visual cues to guide users through the sign-up process,” Ladan recalls.
In response to challenges, Ladan’s adaptability shines through. Her values as a team member underscore collaboration, positivity, and a dedication to growth and learning. Ladan is easy to work with; she is calm, always wears a smile, and fosters an open and collaborative environment, conducive to innovation.
Ladan’s story paints a person who is not afraid to go outside their comfort zone, and who is eager to learn and take on challenges. Today, Ladan is right where creativity meets innovation, connecting different parts of app development with her love for design. She is passionate about problem-solving and is ready for new challenges, be it in web design or UX/UI design. She is looking for more opportunities to work with different types of clients to further grow in her career and personally. When these opportunities present themselves, know with confidence after working with Ladan, she will excel and always find a solution!
Article written by Janhavi Savaikar and Victoria Gadis Torp
Cover photo by Shookoo Benisi