Dimitar Daskalov has been fascinated with the visual arts ever since high school. Years later, he finally decided it was time to make this his profession. But he needed help to complete this step.
Around the same time, after being an architect for 10 years, Elizabet Puneva decided she’d had enough and needed a change.
Two different stories but with something in common – our Upskill UX/UI Design program and their new design careers after its end.
Discover what sparked their interest in the field and how they ended up on the course. Don’t forget to
apply to Telerik Academy Upskill UX/UI Design by March 10 and take the next step towards a more fulfilling career.
.jpg?sfvrsn=d6c3cdda_0 "Elizabet Puneva & Dimitar Daskalov UXUI Alumni")
Let’s start from the beginning. What sparked your interest in the design field?
Еlizabet: It has been a long process for me. I’ve been drawing since I was little, and architecture seemed like a natural next step. I had the ambition for professional development in the area. However, after getting to know the work process, I realized it wasn’t what I wanted to do.
In my early 20s, I started working with Photoshop and Illustrator - enhancing pictures, designing logos and prints for my friends. Upon reaching 30, I was completely dissatisfied with my profession, and discovering UX/UI design felt like destiny. As I searched for ways to fulfill this destiny, everyone I knew recommended Telerik Academy as the best place to learn if I wanted to become a designer.
Dimitar: I studied chemistry and biology in high school, but my favorite part was always creating presentations. While studying Business and Marketing in the Netherlands, I was drawn to the visual again. After dropping out and returning to Bulgaria, I decided to give it a go. I started studying at a university, and my career path led me through Advertising Design and Graphic Design, to Web Designer before joining Telerik Academy. My next logical step was UX/UI design as I wanted to understand how things work beyond their appearance.
Why Telerik Academy?
D: A professional designer recommended it to me! It’s hard to transition professionally from Web Design to UX/UI, as everyone wants to see a project that proves you can handle it. I also wanted to be a part of a team since I was a mostly self-taught designer. I think I did pretty well as a team member during my time at the Academy. And getting a certificate from Telerik Academy stands for quality, especially on the local market.
E: It’s simple - everyone I knew advised me to study at Telerik Academy.
What are the things you learned in Upskill UX/UI that are helping you the most in your role as a UX/UI designer today?
E: The teamwork in the simulated real-work environment during the program was valuable. The opportunity to present in video calls was a new and valuable experience for me. It’s something that’s used 100% in real life.
D: I agree - teamwork is important. I also got to meet some of the industry’s leading experts, providing me with the opportunity to enter the thriving Bulgarian design community. The presentation skills and the ability to “sell” your design helps me too - I know how important it is to tell my clients why something needs to be done in a certain way and explain it to them.
What do you do now in your current role?
E: I work in-house for DSK Bank, so high-level business executives examine my work. Still, I have a lot of freedom and the whole team is trusted for their expertise. I have already participated in a few design sprints. Many processes are yet to be digitalized, and it’s super interesting for me as I need to think about out-of-the-box solutions.
D: Working in an agency like StanVision with a lot of clients and projects is a very dynamic job. I work directly with my clients so I can present my ideas and get direct feedback, which is extremely helpful.
What advice would you give someone who is wondering whether to apply for Upskill UX/UI?
D: Don’t hesitate, the program is well-developed and it’s the best way to learn UX/UI design. Just be prepared that during those 3 months you might need to spend some time studying during the weekends. I personally think it’s cool as you can really take in a lot of knowledge. After the program you will never look at the digital world the same way.
Ready to level up and open yourself to new opportunities? Dive into the most amazing professional journey of your career - the time to transition to a UX/UI designer is now!
Apply for Upskill UX/UI by March 10 and start a new chapter in your career.
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