Alternate Universe: Me, But Not a Designer

Ever thought about who you’d be if you weren’t doing what you’re doing right now? I’ve asked myself that question a couple of times, and honestly… I’d probably still end up circling back to design. But let’s play with the idea.

First stop: psychology.

To me, design feels like a branch of therapy. We don’t chase “perfect” solutions, we study people, understand their struggles, and adapt ideas to fit real human needs. That’s basically what a good therapist does, right? Except instead of a couch, I’ve got Figma.

Second stop: music.

Music has always fascinated me because it mirrors the emotional side of design. Everyone hears the same melody, but each person feels something different. Playing music is also about failing a thousand times, fixing mistakes, and getting a little better every day. Exactly like design work. At first, you think: no way I’ll pull this off. Six months later you’re doing it without even noticing.

Then there are the things that keep me grounded: tennis, nature, philosophy, violin practice, and most importantly the right people around me. They all add balance: rationality as the foundation, creativity as the color.

And yet… even if I tried to escape into psychology, or music, or tennis, I know I’d find my way back to design. Because for me, it’s not just a job it’s how I see the world.

So if I weren’t a designer… I’d still be designing, just in another form.