Women in STEAM: How curiosity fuelled my product design journey

Oluwakemi Omosehin, a computer science graduate, transitioned into product design due to her curiosity about user experience, leveraging her technical background to create effective solutions and bridge the gap between design and development.

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In this interview, the product designer with over two years of experience advises young African women in STEAM to persevere, stay curious, and find their community, emphasising their valuable perspective and creativity in the industry.

PT: You studied Computer Science but transitioned into Product Design. What inspired this shift?

Ms Omosehin: I started in web development, but I have always been an inquisitive person. I frequently questioned the rationale behind colour choices. Why are some layouts more effective? Why do some user flows feel too long or too short? That curiosity led me to discover UI/UX design through a platform that explained it in detail, and it immediately clicked.

I realised that design wasn’t just about making things look good; it was about understanding people. It gave me the chance to ask the right questions, interact with users, and create meaningful experiences with both the client and user in mind. That’s when I knew I had found what I enjoy doing.

PT: As a first-class computer science graduate, how did your academic experience shape your career? Did you have female mentors, and how critical was their support?

Ms Omosehin: Studying a field closely related to what I do now gave me a strong foundation and a better understanding of how different roles in tech, like developers and product managers operate. That background helped me collaborate more effectively because I already had insight into their workflows and how my work as a designer could support and enhance theirs.

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Also, during my time in school, I served as vice president of my department, which gave me the opportunity to organise two women-focused tech events. Those experiences not only strengthened my leadership and networking skills but also connected me with professionals who, directly or indirectly, have played a big role in my growth and confidence in the industry.

PT: Your experience spans multiple companies and roles. What skills or insights have you gained from working in different environments, and how have they shaped your approach to product design?

Ms Omosehin: Working across different companies and roles has been incredibly valuable. Each environment came with its structure, pace, and set of challenges, and that variety taught me to be adaptable and to approach design with flexibility. I have learned how to balance business goals with user needs, how to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, and how to design within both tight constraints and open-ended opportunities.

One major insight I have gained is that good design is never one-size-fits-all. What works in a startup might not work in a more structured corporate setting and vice versa. So I have learned to ask questions, listen closely to both users and stakeholders, and design with clarity and context.

Ultimately, these experiences have shaped me into a more strategic designer, one who doesn’t just focus on visuals or interactions, but on building solutions that truly align with the goals of both the business and its users.

PT: As a Nigerian designer, how do you think Africa’s tech/design space can better support women? Are there cultural barriers to address?

Ms Omosehin: Absolutely, there’s so much potential in Africa’s tech and design space, but to truly support women, we need to be intentional. One of the biggest gaps is access: access to mentorship, funding, leadership roles, and even basic visibility. A lot of talented women are doing incredible work, but they often go unnoticed or undervalued, hence their need to be very loud about it.

Culturally, there are still some barriers. In many communities, tech and design are not seen as “traditional” paths for women, so there’s a constant need to prove yourself or justify your place. That pressure can be discouraging, especially when paired with the lack of female representation at the top.

To move forward, we need more inclusive ecosystems, spaces where women feel safe, heard, and respected. We need more women in leadership, more platforms highlighting women’s work, and more programmes designed with women in mind. It’s not just about getting more women in the room; it’s about making sure their voices matter once they are there.

PT: As a product designer with a computer science background, how do you leverage your technical skills to inform your design decisions and create more effective solutions?

Ms Omosehin: Having a computer science background gives me an edge when it comes to bridging the gap between design and development. I can think through design decisions not just from a user experience perspective, but also in terms of feasibility and performance. I understand how things work under the hood, which helps me design solutions that are not only user-friendly but also technically practical.

It also improves communication with developers. I can speak their language, anticipate challenges early, and suggest solutions that align with both the user’s needs and the system’s capabilities. Whether it’s optimising for responsiveness, understanding API limitations, or structuring complex flows, my technical background allows me to design with more depth, clarity, and collaboration in mind.

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PT: Can you discuss your experience with design tools like Figma and Framer? How do you choose the right tool for a project, and what benefits do they bring to your workflow?

Ms Omosehin: I work primarily with Figma and Framer, and each tool brings its strengths to my workflow. Figma is my go-to for most UI/UX projects because it’s highly collaborative. It allows for real-time feedback, easy design system management, and smooth handoff to developers. It’s perfect for wireframes, prototypes, and team-based design.

Framer is especially useful when I need to showcase advanced interactions or create high-fidelity prototypes that feel close to the real product. It helps communicate the flow and functionality clearly, especially for animations or microinteractions that might be hard to explain with static screens.

When choosing a tool, I consider the project’s needs, the type of experience we are building, and how the team prefers to collaborate. Sometimes I even use both — Figma for structure and layout, then Framer to bring the interactions to life. The most important thing is using the right tool to communicate ideas and create a better user experience.

PT: What’s your number one piece of advice for young African women aspiring to enter STEAM, especially in product design or computer science?

Ms Omosehin: Keep going, no matter what. As a young African woman entering STEAM, especially in fields like product design or computer science, you might face people who question your abilities, try to discourage you, or make you feel like you don’t belong, but keep going.

Your journey won’t always be easy, but every step forward counts. Stay curious, keep learning, find your community, and don’t be afraid to take up space. The industry needs your perspective, creativity, and voice. Even when it feels like no one is watching, your growth is valid. Keep showing up for yourself. You belong here.