Learning through doing: My first six weeks at Unboxed

Six weeks ago, I joined Unboxed eager to sharpen my design skills. What I didn't expect was how quickly I'd grow by learning about people - from the users we design for to the teammates I've collaborated with. This has shaped not just my design practice, but also my confidence and approach to working collaboratively.

So far, my main focus has been directing the design for NexaGen, a digital healthcare start-up exploring how to support people with Parkinson's and their families or supporters by connecting them to trusted information and tailored support. This has meant leading the design of both their website and MVP (minimum viable product), each with its own challenges around accessibility, user needs, and product testing.

Designing the Website: Accessibility and Tailored Journeys

In my first week, I threw myself into learning Webflow from scratch, thinking it would be the right tool to build the website thanks to its wide design capabilities. Building out initial page structures was a great way to learn quickly — but by the end of the week, I realised it wasn't the best fit for our client's needs. They needed something simpler and easier to update, with flexibility for others to make quick edits later on. It was a good reminder that learning a tool isn't the same as solving a problem — and sometimes it's worth pausing to ask: Is this the most effective way to meet the goal?

The website design also challenged me to think deeply about accessibility — not just as a set of principles, but as a way of recognising the different needs of different users. Someone newly diagnosed with Parkinson's, a journalist, or a funder will each approach the site with different expectations.

My solution was to create distinct subsections of the site with tailored information, guiding each group on its own journey. This kept the experience simple and easy to navigate without swamping people with information that wasn't relevant to them.

A conversation with Liam, Head of Design at Unboxed, helped me think more practically about what accessibility really means in design - from ensuring enough contrast between text and background to making sure someone using a screen reader can navigate a page with ease. It's the sum of these small details that makes a big difference to how inclusive a digital experience feels.

Developing the MVP: Strengthening Through User Testing

Alongside the website, I've been leading user testing for NexaGen's MVP. The focus has been on observing where users hesitate, what they expect to see, and how they feel when navigating the product. These insights shaped design decisions and helped show the power of testing. It cemented for me the importance of listening carefully and asking the right questions.

A key part of this process has been implementing changes quickly in response to feedback. Using and learning Vibe coding in Visual Studio Code, I've been able to make adjustments in seconds that would previously have taken hours. It's eye-opening to see how rapidly these tools are advancing and how they make iteration more seamless and responsive to real user needs.

Leadership and Initiative

At Unboxed, one principle Martyn (Head of Product) mentioned that stood out was:

This empowered me to own the decision-making process. Being decisive doesn't mean working alone; it means being proactive in moving things forward while staying open to collaboration.

Collaboration has allowed me to fast-track the development of this project - reconnecting with Parkinson's experts I'd met in previous research to strengthen our product. I also sourced and pitched to a potential new client for Unboxed, sharing how our design approach could support their mental health platform. Both experiences taught me how to communicate ideas clearly, build trust, and spark enthusiasm.

The Value of Atmosphere

What makes Unboxed different is the culture. Lunch conversations range from the gender-voting gap in America to whether we all have an internal monologue (turns out not everyone does!).

Those moments help me step back from project detail on busy days and return with renewed energy. Being surrounded by curious, engaged people makes the work itself feel more creative and energising.

This curiosity extends into Unboxed's weekly Design Club, where someone shares a topic they're interested in. A recent session on Al's environmental impact sparked a wide-ranging discussion about how we use technology responsibly. These moments show how powerful it is to have diverse minds working together.

What's next?

I am excited to continue working at Unboxed on the next stages of NexaGen work along with some other project opportunities. I'll be continuing to develop my confidence in decision making, learning to question assumings and understanding more about what makes a design genuinely useful.