Who am I?

My design journey began with a passion for cars—I sketched my first concept at 14, which led me to study Industrial Design at the University of Johannesburg. While I still love automotive design, my focus shifted to UX/UI, where I now blend industrial, visual, and experience design to craft intuitive digital products. Some call me the “secret sauce” behind the scenes.

About my role and responsibilities

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create frameworks and systems that evolve with user needs.
  • Lead and support design research, from ethnographic studies to usability testing.
  • Translate insights into clear, actionable solutions through wireframes, prototypes, and documentation.
  • Translate design decisions into clear documentation for stakeholder alignment and sign-off.

 

Career Goals:

  • Strengthen end-to-end design skills and lead complex projects, using AI tools to boost quality and impact.
  • Build leadership skills by mentoring teammates and improving team workflows with AI-driven efficiencies.
  • Increase strategic influence by collaborating across teams and using AI to support research and ideation.

 

Location:

  • Amsterdam, Netherlands

 

Outside my 9–5:

  • Curating my design portfolio
  • Running my baking channel: BakeSimpl. 🍰
  • Exploring the world (9 countries and counting 🌍)
  • Searching for the best desserts and pastries one bite at a time

Monica Monsanto - 2026