Who am I?
Hello! I’m Emil Donchev, a product designer from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and a recent graduate of the Technical University of Plovdiv. My design approach focuses on scalability and user-centeredness, ensuring products not only look good but solve real business problems, with room for improvement and user value.
I’ve worked on several case studies and gained hands-on experience in a startup, refining my skills in balancing business needs with user satisfaction. My go-to tools are Figma and Miro for collaborative design and prototyping.
My goal is to grow into a leadership role, driving product strategy. I also run a blog where I engage with other designers and stay inspired through design books. Outside of work, fitness helps me stay balanced and creative.
My methodology
Reserch
Dive into research to gather crucial information that will guide my design decisions. This involves understanding user needs, market trends, and technological possibilities.
Ideate
Engage in brainstorming sessions to generate a variety of ideas and concepts. This is where I explore numerous possibilities without filtering out any options.
Evaluate
I turn the selected ideas into detailed designs. This step involves creating prototypes, refining features, and ensuring the design meets user needs and technical requirements.
Design
I evaluate the generated ideas to determine which ones hold the most promise. This involves assessing their feasibility, alignment with goals, and potential impact.
Start again
I embrace the iterative nature of design by revisiting previous steps as needed. Continuous refinement helps me enhance the design and achieve the best results.
Blog
Being a designer is about much more than just pushing pixels—it’s about creating experiences, solving real problems, and constantly evolving. If you'd like to know more about my journey, insights, and reflections, I invite you to explore my blog.In my series, Meeting with Designers, I share some of the most inspiring conversations I’ve had with designers at every career stage. From juniors taking their first steps in the field to seasoned seniors, team leads, design directors, and even VPs, each professional I meet offers unique insights into what it takes to thrive in the fast-paced world of design. Their stories shed light on the challenges, skills, and mindsets that help them grow, succeed, and stay relevant.
Read my articles
Reading
For me, design goes beyond just pushing pixels—it's about continuous growth and learning. That’s why I immerse myself in reading and listening videos, how to improve. You can learn more about my design philosophy by connecting with me.
Name of the book
The Win Without Pitching Manifesto
The Visual MBA
100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People
Practical UI
Creative Strategy and the Business of Design
Experience
Dec 2023 - Jan 2024
Product Designer - Acqify
Conducting in-depth UX research to gather insights into user behaviours and preferences. Analyzing user feedback and data to inform iterative design processes, resulting in a 3% improvement in overall user satisfaction.
