From Berghs to San Francisco and Back: Upskilling in UX & Digital Product Design

Hi Julia! who are you and what do you do? 

Hi! I'm Julia, originally from Stockholm but currently living in San Francisco. I completed the Berghs Bachelor Program in 2019 before moving to the U.S. to continue my studies and have been here ever since. Today, I work as an Art Director and Marketing Manager, where I get to work with everything from branding and design to websites, campaigns, content, and pretty much anything creative that comes up.

You recently took "UX & Digital Product Design". What made you choose this course? 

I've always been interested in digital design, but I wanted to understand the thinking behind it, not just how things look. UX felt like a natural next step, and Berghs was an easy choice since I'd studied there before and had such a good experience.

What did you take away from the course?

The biggest thing I took away was learning to slow down and really understand the problem before jumping into solutions. It also gave me a much better understanding of the full UX process and made me think differently about how people experience what we design.

What was it like having Nirish Shakya as your instructor?

Nirish was great. He created a really open environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and challenging each other's thinking. You could tell he genuinely cared about helping everyone improve.

What did you find the most fun or valuable during the course? 

I really liked working on a project from start to finish and getting feedback throughout the process. Seeing how differently everyone approached the same challenge was also really inspiring.

Have you been able to apply what you learned? 

I already find myself asking different questions before starting a project. Whether I'm working on a website or a marketing campaign, I think much more about the people using it and what they're actually trying to accomplish.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

Every day is a little different, which is probably my favorite part. One day I'm designing presentations or social content, the next I'm working on our website, planning campaigns, or brainstorming new ideas with the team.

What’s the best part of your job?

Definitely the variety. I love that I get to work on so many different types of projects, and I enjoy seeing an idea go from a rough sketch to something that's actually out in the world.

And the challenges?

There's always a lot going on, so balancing different projects and priorities can be challenging. At the same time, that's also what keeps the work interesting.

Where do you find inspiration?

Honestly, a little bit everywhere. I love noticing small details in everyday life, but I also spend a lot of time looking at portfolios, design studios, brands, and people doing interesting creative work.

Do you have a career tip you’d like to share?

Don't wait until you feel ready before trying something new. Some of the biggest things I've learned have come from taking on projects I hadn't done before and figuring things out along the way.

What would you say to someone considering taking this course?

I'd say go for it. The course gives you a great mix of theory and hands-on work, and it really changes the way you think about design. Whether you work in UX already or come from another creative background like I did, there's a lot to take away from it!