Meet Irene Kadir

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Irene Kadir. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Irene with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic comes from a blend of my parents’ values, both of whom inspired me in very different ways. My dad ran a glass shop, where creativity had to meet precision every single day. He was big on discipline—he’d say things like, “Plan your day, and make it a habit.” That stuck with me. Even now, I like to start early, get ahead of deadlines, and leave space to revisit my work if something feels off. That mindset—being prepared, being early, giving yourself room to think—has helped me deliver my design work professionally and consistently. I also learned a lot just from watching how he and my mom dealt with customers. It wasn’t just about selling—it was about listening. Early in my design career, I used to think my perspective was the only right one. But my parents taught me to meet people halfway, to understand their needs, and to be creative with them, not just for them. That shift—from ego to empathy—changed everything for me.

My mom brought a whole different energy into my world. She’s adventurous and endlessly curious, and even though I’m more reserved, her example taught me not to be afraid of trying, failing, and learning something new. For a long time, I hesitated to ask questions—I worried I’d be annoying or seem unsure. But over time, I realized that asking is how you grow. Especially working with bigger teams, I’ve learned how powerful clear, open communication can be. It builds trust, and it leads to better work. My mom also has this way of constantly learning and adapting—following trends, picking up new skills—without ever telling me what I should do. But watching her made me want to step outside my own box. That’s what led me to dive into UI/UX and keep evolving as a designer. She also taught me not to give up. Some days, ideas just don’t flow—but that doesn’t mean you stop. You iterate, you mix two “okay” ideas into one great one. Most of what they taught me wasn’t through big lessons, but through small actions, little moments. Those shaped the designer—and the person—I’ve become.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a visual designer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I help build the visual language of our product—from brand identity and UI design to motion graphics and overall design systems. What excites me most about my work is being part of something that helps solve everyday problems through digital innovation. After starting out as a graphic designer, I realized that what I truly wanted was to create designs that people interact with, use, and benefit from. Designing apps and user experiences challenges me to be more empathetic—not just as a designer, but as a human. I’ve learned to listen deeply to user feedback, to put myself in their shoes, and to grow from every iteration. That ongoing conversation between the product and its users is what keeps me inspired.

Outside of my 9-to-5, I’m also an illustrator. While I do illustration work professionally, my art is where I let my imagination run wild. I love creating cute, whimsical characters that often reflect pieces of myself or the people around me. Some pieces are simply meant to spread joy or add a bit of humor to someone’s day. Drawing has always been a huge part of who I am—I fell in love with it when I was four years old after my parents gave me a coloring book. I didn’t just color inside the lines; I started doodling all over the pages. Like many kids, I loved drawing mountains with rice fields or horses near the mountains. However, I drew these scenes not just for fun, but to capture moments from my vacations, so I could remember them later. To this day, I still create art in the same way, paying attention to even the smallest details to reflect real-life events.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Positive attitude has been one of the most impactful qualities in my journey. I’ve worked in challenging environments—including toxic ones—and I’ve learned that the energy we bring into a space matters just as much as the energy we absorb. While we can’t always control our surroundings, we can control our perspective. I chose to create boundaries, surround myself with people who inspired growth, and treat my work environment with professionalism, regardless of the drama around me. Even when things got tough, I reminded myself why I love what I do. For me, design is a passion—and that passion helped me reframe tough situations as opportunities for growth. I often see challenges like a ride at Disneyland: it might be a little scary or unpredictable, but it’s ultimately an exciting ride where I learn something new, become more resilient, and grow—not just as a designer, but as a person.

To be humble is something my dad instilled in me from an early age. Even though he was a respected business owner in our community, he always stayed grounded and reminded me to do the same. He believed that no matter who you are or where you are in life—whether you’re at the top or going through tough times—there’s always something to learn. Success can teach us, but failure often teaches us even more. I try to carry that mindset with me in both work and life. I don’t believe in putting myself above others, even if I have more experience or skills. If I can support someone who’s just starting out, I’m happy to share what I’ve learned. Being humble and helping others grow not only builds a stronger creative community—it also reminds me of where I came from and why I started designing in the first place.

Never stop learning is a philosophy that continues to guide my path, both professionally and personally. A friend once told me, “You only stop learning when you’re dead,” and that really stuck with me. Whether it’s learning something new about my craft, understanding a teammate better, or navigating changes in a relationship, growth always comes from staying curious. In my design process, I apply this mindset by refusing to get stuck on just one idea—I like to keep exploring. I challenge myself to try styles I wouldn’t normally choose, or experiment with trends I’m unfamiliar with. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t—but every experiment teaches me something new about design and about myself. I believe learning doesn’t have to be massive or formal—it can be the small 1% improvements we make every day. Even taking a break can be part of that growth, because reflection often leads to redirection. When something feels off or stagnant, I’ve learned it’s usually a signal to shift, not stop. As designers, we’re constantly evolving—and keeping that student mindset helps me stay adaptable, open, and inspired.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, the first thing I do is step away from my screen—whether it’s my laptop or iPad—no matter how tight the deadline is. I’ve learned that forcing myself to keep going when I’m mentally exhausted never leads to good results. Instead, I go for a walk or, honestly, sometimes just sit in the bathroom—oddly enough, that’s where some of my best creative ideas come from. If I have more flexibility with my timeline, I’ll take the whole weekend off from designing. During those breaks, I look for inspiration in unexpected places—like a billboard on the street, a fun packaging design at a bakery, or even a quirky street sign. The point isn’t to avoid the problem, but to let my brain breathe and reset.

Taking breaks has become a non-negotiable part of my creative process. It helps me protect the quality of my work and keeps me from burning out. My advice? Don’t guilt yourself for stepping away—your mind needs space to wander before it can truly create. Some of the best design solutions come when you’re not actively looking for them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.irenekadir.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byirenekdr/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D

Image Credits

mockup artwork: Freepik
artworks & self photography: mine