Building Global Design Solutions: Insights from Senior Product Designer Aaron Onu | After Hours 🍸

In this episode of "After Hours," host Alice Kanjejo sits down with Aaron Onu, a senior product designer and co-founder of Los Hombres design studio, over Tanqueray cocktails at Art Cafe Gastro Bar. Aaron shares his journey from electrical engineering to becoming a respected figure in product design. Aaron's story begins with early exposure to design through his brother's computer school projects, leading to an internship at Jumia where he discovered the power of data and user research. His career includes impactful projects like Trips (formerly Plenty Waka), where he helped transform public transportation across three countries and contributed to securing $3 million in seed funding. He also led design for Speechify's Audiobooks team, making reading more accessible worldwide. A compelling aspect of Aaron's journey is his focus on creating products that genuinely improve people's lives. Now, as co-founder of Los Hombres, Aaron and his team support founders and startups with design solutions while developing their own products, including Good Skin, a personalized skincare routine builder. With over 13 years of collective experience, they pride themselves on being "best in class" and maintaining close proximity to the problems they're solving. Aaron shares valuable insights for aspiring designers, emphasizing the importance of sharing work publicly and embracing global design opportunities in the age of remote work. While the barrier to entry for UI/UX design might be lower than traditional fields, standing out requires consistent practice, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of both design principles and user needs. The conversation also explores the evolving role of designers, with Aaron recommending that designers learn coding skills to better communicate their ideas and potentially become "design engineers." His only career regret? Not learning to code earlier. This episode serves as both an inspiring success story and a practical guide for anyone interested in design, demonstrating how passion, persistence, and a focus on solving real problems can lead to a fulfilling career in tech. __________________________________________________________________ Join Alice as she explores the world of tech and shares impactful stories with guests on My Tech Story Africa! Subscribe to our podcast, drop a like, comment, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content. Don't forget to spread the word! Sharing is caring! 🌟 Follow us on social media: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytechstoryafrica 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-tech-story-africa ♪ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mytechstoryafrica Join our community: [https://www.mtsafrica.co/join] Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Apply here: https://forms.gle/ffAniezzFHoEvhPY7 Interested in partnering with us? Drop us an email: mytechstory.ea@gmail.com 📧