I'm a Russian girl living in Finland. In my life,
I have been working mostly in the hospitality industry, meaning restaurants, bars, and hotels. Put it in numbers and it will be work in 7 hotels in 3 different countries.

I've been living in Finland for almost 8 years, spend 2 summer seasons in Spain, studying half a year in the Czech Republic and even survived 2,5 years in cold Lapland.

As you may have noticed, I really like to travel and explore new places. My life's credo - to
at least one time a year go to the place I've never been to before - helped me to reach 20 visited countries. Not such a big deal, I agree, but not too bad either, right?

I while ago, after mastering my degree, I've started to notice that a lot of things like services, apps, and websites troubled me when things weren't right or could be done in a better, logical and convenient way. I was lacking the usability part in there the most.

And it wasn't just that I didn't like it at all, but I came up with better solutions, how things can be improved differently. Such inconveniences started to irritate me more and more, and one day a thought came into my mind - if I'm able to solve my problem, then I can perhaps help other people and solve theirs?

After that, I've started to get deeper into UX/UI design world, by taking various courses, watching videos and reading books and articles.
I was obsessed with taking new information from everywhere. I was trying and still do, to learn something new every day.

I've been always following 5-minute-rule - when you have an idea in your head to do something, or when you have some task to be done, but it seems quite demanding, just start doing it for at least 5 minutes.

Of course, these 5 minutes always continue further and further, since you're already too involved in the topic. But I'm countlessly thankful for this rule because I can't even imagine how many tasks, and books, and articles I've completed with its' help.

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."

Jim Ryun

I made a couple of fake projects since then and had already something in my portfolio. I understand now that they're not perfect and I'm able to improve them. However, they are showing me where I was and how I was growing and developing since.

My first real project - wedding invitation landing page - happened to find me itself, rather than been found by me :) You can read the full story of how it was in my Instagram post here.

I keep saying that networking is the greatest tool everyone should have. In addition to that, one should not be afraid of taking big challenges. Likewise, I push myself into the deep end and wouldn't stop until I know something or how something is done.

"The secret to being a great designer is to love designing".

Onur Cobanli