Nabhel Harmony: African Woman in Tech Design Journey
Nigerian product designer Nabhel Harmony, based in Indonesia, shares her journey navigating the global tech industry as an African woman. She highlights underrepresentation as a key challenge, often facing bias and underestimation. Harmony began as a graphic designer in 2017, transitioning to product design after a Microsoft UX video inspired her during her master's program. She emphasizes the importance of foundational UX skills and adaptability to AI tools like Figma and Stitch. Harmony redesigned iglooconnect, a smart lock platform, improving usability for property managers and international users. As a mentor, she supports emerging designers through She Code Africa and ADPList, providing free design resources via the Interaction Design Foundation. Her advice to aspiring designers: 'You belong here. Start small, build portfolios showing your process, and find supportive communities.' Harmony advocates for inclusive design, stating, 'Good design isn't just about looks, it's about equity, trust, and opportunity.'