Supercharge Designer Spotlight:
Hadi Aradi
Welcome to the second part of the Supercharge Designer Spotlight series! We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the incredible journeys and accomplishments of outstanding designers in our community.
In this edition, we’re putting the spotlight on Hadi Aradi, an amazing UX/UI designer who discovered his passion for design at the age of 16. Hadi’s focus on user-centric design and his dedication to understanding users’ needs make his story truly inspiring.
Join us as we dive into Hadi’s journey, inspirations, and the impact he’s making in the design world!
What made you interested in design in general? What drew you to UX/UI design particularly?
My interest in design began at the age of 16 when I started learning how to design mascot logos for esports teams.
That led me to video editing and eventually to motion graphics, where I created cool logo animations. During this learning process, I stumbled across “UI Animation” on After Effects. That was the moment when the first question popped into my head: “What is UX, and what is UI?”
I grew much more interested as I delved into understanding their differences. I learned the importance of UX and UI for both people and businesses.
This newfound curiosity drove me to dive deeply into the field, and I’ve been passionate about UX/UI design ever since.
What was the most significant or memorable project of your career so far? Why did you pick that one?
It was a project for one of the top banking apps in my country.
The main reason I chose this project was that it taught me how to balance between business goals and user needs.
I learned how to build a product that satisfies both parties.
Hadi Aradi giving a presentation
How would you describe your approach to design overall? What principles guide your work the most?
My approach to design is fundamentally user-centric. I believe in creating experiences that are accessible and enjoyable for the end user, but I always ensure there’s something valuable for the business as well.
The thing is, I strive to understand the users’ needs and pain points. This helps me design solutions that are genuinely helpful.
In addition to that, I would include minimalism. I aim for clarity and ease of use in my designs.
I believe that the best designs are often the simplest ones.
Hadi presenting a pitch anatomy
What skills do you see as indispensable for a modern UX/UI designer?
I wouldn’t talk about technical skills; instead, I would focus on soft skills because they are the ones that make a big difference.
These include the ability to deeply understand and empathize with users. The ability to clearly explain design decisions by talking about the reasons for your choices.
Lastly, the ability to balance and align the needs of the stakeholders.
How do you maintain your work-life balance? What activities do you enjoy outside of design/work?
Maintaining work-life balance has been a journey of trial and error for me, but I’ve effectively learned time management over the years.
My typical day looks like this:
I wake up at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. and work on my upcoming agency until 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. Then, I head to university for a couple of classes. After university, I go to work at a startup until 5 p.m.
Once I’m done, it takes me around 20-30 minutes to get home, and then I start my calisthenics session, read 5-10 pages of a book, and sleep early to get ready to do it all over again.
Some people tell me that I need to enjoy my life more, but honestly, I’m super happy with what I’m doing. Thriving and growing each day and having a purpose make my life interesting.
Hadi Aradi presenting an iteration of mid-fidelity designs
What are the biggest changes you expect to see in the design industry over the years? What trends excite you the most?
I’m particularly looking forward to the rise of minimalism in design.
Clean, simple, and uncluttered interfaces not only enhance user experience but also make digital products more accessible.
I JUST LOVE IT!
Hadi presenting a pitch anatomy
What advice would you give to aspiring designers?
Firstly, the design field is constantly evolving, so always be open to learning new skills and staying updated with the latest trends. Take online courses and attend workshops to continuously improve your knowledge and embrace the journey of continuous learning.
Secondly, the more you design, the better you will become. Work on personal projects and take on freelance work to gain practical experience. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and methods.
Finally, constructive feedback is invaluable for growth. Share your work with peers and online design communities to get different perspectives. Use feedback to refine your designs and learn from your mistakes.
Hadi Aradi’s journey from video editing to motion graphics to now being a UX/UI designer showcases all the crucial skills any designer needs.
His fundamentally user-centric approach to design helps him design genuinely helpful solutions. Over the years, he learned how to manage his time effectively, as his work-life balance has been quite the journey. Growing each day gives Hadi a purpose and makes his life interesting.
We hope you enjoyed learning more about Hadi and that you look forward to future Designer Spotlight articles we have planned for you. Subscribe to our newsletter to never miss an update!
Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our Supercharge Designer Spotlight series!
