In a recent feature on Women in STEAM, Nabhel Harmony, who is a Nigerian product designer currently residing in Indonesia, shared her experiences as she navigates the global tech landscape as an African woman.
Ms. Harmony highlights underrepresentation as a significant obstacle that frequently leads to bias and underestimation of abilities within her field.
She reflects on her career beginnings as a graphic designer in 2017, where she initially learned CorelDRAW to assist her mother with flyers. Her skills advanced when she trained in Adobe Suite at a printing press. A pivotal moment arrived during her master's program when she encountered a Microsoft UX video, sparking her interest in product design. This led her to focus on crafting digital experiences that are intuitive and human-centered, underpinned by the belief that design ought to be both impactful and practical.
When discussing key skills required to thrive in design, Ms. Harmony emphasized the importance of a solid grounding in user experience (UX), which involves understanding user needs and effective problem-solving while clearly communicating ideas. While tools like Figma are valuable, she believes it's more critical to adopt a designer's mindset—framing problems, testing assumptions, and refining concepts.
The advent of AI-driven tools is altering the design landscape, hence adaptability is vital. Tools such as Stitch, Claude, and Cursor can enhance workflows and provide starting points; nonetheless, critical thinking and empathy are irreplaceable aspects of design.
Ms. Harmony stresses that successful designers are those who maintain curiosity, are open to exploration, and adeptly balance human insight with technological support to create meaningful user experiences.
In one of her impactful projects, she redesigned iglooconnect, a platform that connects smart locks with services like Airbnb. The previous system posed significant usability challenges, which she addressed by integrating user feedback and competitive analysis to streamline navigation and enhance accessibility. This initiative bolstered the platform's capacity to support a global user base, transforming the experience for property managers and small businesses alike.
As a senior product designer, she seeks qualities such as curiosity, empathy, and resilience in her team. She fosters a collaborative and innovative environment through trust and open dialogue, celebrating achievements and creating spaces that encourage experimentation.
In her mentoring role, Ms. Harmony helps junior designers cultivate a growth- oriented mindset, viewing design primarily as a form of problem-solving. She advocates for building a portfolio that showcases the design process, rather than just final products, urging juniors to seek out communities that foster support and knowledge sharing.
She expressed concern over the challenges faced by women of African descent in the tech and design industries, particularly regarding representation. Residing in Indonesia, she often finds herself as the only African woman in professional settings, which can lead to biases. Ms. Harmony has actively built networks with other designers to foster a sense of community and support.
To give back, she champions accessible design education, engaging in mentorship through organizations like She Code Africa and guiding emerging talent on platforms such as ADPList. By demystifying the design field and creating avenues for learning, Ms. Harmony enriches the paths for aspiring designers.
Staying current with design trends is crucial, and she utilizes online resources, particularly social media, to connect with industry leaders and learn about new tools. For others wishing to keep pace, she recommends a balanced approach between structured learning and finding a supportive community.
Finally, she encourages women and underrepresented groups interested in tech and design to embrace their place in the industry, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives in creating inclusive solutions. She advises starting small, joining supportive communities, and taking action rather than waiting for the perfect moment.
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