From Informatics to Interface Design: Meet Salma

Every time Salma A., a Coursera learner in Egypt, had a presentation or project due for her business informatics degree program, she found herself most excited about one thing: the design work. Through those projects, she discovered a growing interest in creating visually appealing and user-centered work. But her coursework typically focused more on theory than hands-on creative training.  

That gap became more noticeable at work, where Salma served as an online intermediary between local clients and a global fashion brand. While managing social media content and designing visuals, she enjoyed the opportunities that allowed her creative side to shine through. Over time, she grew more curious about what exactly made a design appealing.

To gain a solid understanding of the UX design process and develop design skills that would enable her to launch a career as a UI/UX designer, Salma enrolled in the Google UX Design Professional Certificate on Coursera, and began closing the space between theory and practice. “I didn’t expect to be doing real, hands-on projects so early in the program,” Salma recalled. “It made learning much more enjoyable and motivating.”

Throughout Google’s UX Design program, Salma developed skills in user research, prototyping, and visual design. She also learned to think more critically about how users interact with products, and even applied her Figma skills to execute a UX project at university. The biggest impact, however, has been confidence.

“I now feel like I understand the UX design process and can actually create designs that solve real problems,” Salma said. “It made me more excited to pursue a career in this field, knowing that I have a solid foundation.”

Salma spoke with Coursera about how she managed her other responsibilities while learning UX design online and where she hopes her skill development and eye for design will take her next.

What skills have you developed or strengthened in Google’s program?

I’ve developed several skills, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design. I’ve also improved my problem-solving, creativity, and attention to detail. The course helped me think more critically about how users interact with products.

How did you stay motivated?

As a full-time university student, I had to manage my time carefully. I stayed motivated by reminding myself of why I started—I truly love design and want to build a career in UX. I created a simple routine where I dedicated a few hours each week to learning after university or work. I also set small goals for each week, which helped me stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.

Did you face any challenges?

Sometimes I felt discouraged when I saw other people’s amazing designs online. It made me think I wasn’t good enough. But I learned to stop comparing myself to others and focus on my own progress. I reminded myself that I’m still learning and improving step by step.

I learned to stop comparing myself to others and focus on my own progress.

What’s something you’ve enjoyed about your learning experience?

How interactive and flexible the learning experience is! The Google UX Design program, in particular, is very hands-on. I love that I get to apply what I learn in every phase, which helps me understand concepts more deeply and remember them better.

How have you been able to apply what you’ve learned?

By improving how I design and plan content for the page I manage [at work]. I now think more about the user’s point of view and how to make the experience more engaging. I also used my Figma skills to create a small UX project at university, which received positive feedback.

I now think more about the user’s point of view and how to make the experience more engaging.

Do you have any advice for others who want to learn UX design? 

My advice is to practice everything you learn—and don’t rush. The Google UX Design program is full of great insights, and every lesson adds something valuable to your design mindset.

Tell us about your plans for the future. 

My plan is to continue developing my skills in UI/UX design and build a strong portfolio. I want to pursue a career in UX, where I can combine my creativity, technical knowledge, and interest in digital transformation to design meaningful user experiences.

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*Individual experiences and outcomes can vary, and Coursera does not guarantee job interviews or job placements upon completion of its courses.