In this episode of Interface, the Crew speaks with PROS own UX Design Manager, Ayan Bihi. Ayan discusses her trajectory from studying sociology in France to becoming a UX Design Manager. She shares insights on her work, including the human-centered design strategy, the power of design, and the importance of user-centered solutions. Additionally, the conversation delves into strategies for retaining black talent in tech industries, the value of diversity, and the importance of mentorship.
Notable Quotes
“At Concordia University and I took sociology just because I've always been fascinated on how things work. And so, I can be in a public space and just observe people and wonder like, why are they doing that? Or just trying to understand everything. So, for me, sociology was kind of like getting to study the user manual of our societies and understanding why we do certain things and what's the structure and what's the kind of the reason behind it all.”
“I'm able to open a pen easier because somebody thought about what would be the best experience for me to open this pen. So I said, you know what, that would be really interesting. Let me explore that. So I decided first before I decided to go full into it, I took a community college course where I was growing up to understand it a bit more, and I decided, okay, yeah, I get this. I like this.”
Links
Matthew Heat Check: https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/10/sec-approves-spot-bitcoin-etf/
Siara Heat Check: https://podcasts.apple.com/si/podcast/michelle-obama-how-to-stay-with-your-partner-when-they/id1450994021?i=1000640876432
Jennifer Heat Check: https://link.hbr.org/view/654aa89aa426663d33230514k6rf8.6ovs/3bd05a5c
Contact Ayan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayanbihi/
Ascend UX Podcast: https://ascendux.simplecast.com/
Menstrual Care Website: https://www.arum.care/
Reach out to The Interface Podcast Crew at
- interfacepodcast@pros.com OR
- Jenni Plummer – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer/ OR
- Siara Barnes – https://www.linkedin.com/in/siara-barnes-b47a923a/ OR
- Matthew Negron – https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-negron94/
Chapters
01:17 Introduction and Guest Presentation
02:28 Starting the Conversation
03:27 Guest's Origin Story
07:36 Transition into UX Design
09:45 Role as a Design Manager
12:40 Understanding User Experience Design
15:12 Advice for Aspiring UX Designers
21:30 Balancing Naivety and Planning in Career Progression
24:52 Increasing Black Talent in Technology
26:31 The Impact of Diversity in the Workplace
27:03 Personal Experiences and Challenges as a Black Woman in Tech
28:22 The Importance of Diversity in Thought and Innovation
29:08 Exposing Black Talent to Tech Careers through Externships
30:25 The Power of Networking and Mentorship
30:52 The Externship Experience at PROSE
34:06 The Importance of Human Connection in a Virtual World
36:06 Heat Check: Hot Topics in Tech and Black Culture
50:20 The Importance of Walking the Walk in Diversity and Inclusion