How do you make code out of shapes and colors? Programming through the eyes of a UX & UI designer!

Michalina Musielik-Wypych

UX/UI & Graphic Designer (Kobylka, Masovian province)

I am a UX & UI designer with a strong foundation in graphic design and a unique background in art history and cultural studies. My professional experience includes both graphic and web design, allowing me to create solutions that combine aesthetics, functionality and a deep understanding of user needs.

You are a graduate of the Girls Code Fun comprehensive project – the Code Her Future program. Why did you take part in it?

I was well aware of what working at Figma and in a team was all about – I had a professional start behind me. With this perspective, I wanted to see what happens to my website project after I hand it over to a programmer. I felt that this would make my projects better prepared and easier to implement.

So what did you learn? Was it what you cared about?

I learned the basics of HTML, CSS, JS and Python coding. Exactly for these hard competencies I decided to participate in this project. Thanks to the experience I’ve gained, it’s easier for me to talk to programmers at the development stage.

What was your motivation? What were the challenges?

The biggest challenge turned out to be believing that I could learn to code. We live in a world where there is a division between scientific and humanistic minds. I always thought I definitely belonged to the latter group and coding was not for me. Going into the program, I just wanted to see what happens to my website project after I hand it over to the programmer so that we could work together more easily. I was immensely curious to see how code is created from shapes and colors. It was amazing to find out that such a division between scientific and humanistic minds – even if it exists – has no meaning, and I can code as much as possible.

So has the program affected your idea of roles and your competence?

Definitely. It boosted my confidence in UX/UI design. Thanks to the course, I understood how to create designs in Figma so that the programmer knows clearly how to code them. During the program I also met an amazing mentor who invited me to create a project together. As it turned out later, it was my first implemented website project.

What do you consider your biggest success after participating in the project? What benefits did the participation give CI?

I found the process of learning to code fascinating. It resembled discovering more pieces of a puzzle. With each workshop, coding, which seemed complicated at first, became more and more intuitive and began to give me a lot of fun. Thanks to the knowledge I’ve gained, I can not only communicate more freely with programmers, but also my website designs are more thoughtful and polished. This experience has opened new perspectives for me and given me tools that translate into real results at work.

And did it have a direct impact on your work?

In my current job, I was entrusted with a new challenge – web design. At the same time, I started doing my own freelancing projects, and I do both design and implementation of websites on my own. I appreciate this very much. I also see how many areas there are in IT to explore. Everything is ahead of me.

Plans for the future?

Not to waste what I have learned with you and at work. To be attentive, constantly practice skills, improve projects, take a flexible approach. And to remember that everything is changing. To be an attractive UX designer, you need to keep your eyes open. And that openness is what I want to cultivate in myself.

Are you more confident in your IT and technology skills now?

Definitely.

What are your development plans for the near future?

I’m embarking on an adventure in animation! The Code Her Future program gave me a solid foundation in CSS and JS, so it will be easier for me to take my first steps in this topic. I’m not afraid – it’s an expression of my openness, but also courage.

Do you have PRO TIPS for those girls who are hesitant to enter the world of technology and whether to start this adventure with us as a Foundation?

I know for sure that participation in the project can be the beginning of an amazing adventure. First – don’t be afraid to try, even if you feel that coding is a completely new and unknown field for you. The workshops are conducted in an accessible way, and each step brings you closer to understanding the principles and developing your skills. Second – enjoy the opportunity to work with mentors. Their support and experience can show you new perspectives, help break down internal barriers and give you confidence in your actions.