Bólya Richárd
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Why I Transitioned to UX/UI

I've always had a passion for creativity—painting has been my love for as long as I can remember.

In high school, I started creating computer games. While programming was a necessary part of the process, what truly captivated me was the visual design—the choice of typography, the way characters were modeled, and the overall color scheme.

In my frontend development work, I became deeply interested in how design decisions affect user experience. My experience at a startup, working alongside a designer, made me realize that UX and UI design were exactly what excited me.

It also made me realize that I’ve always been interested not just in how things function but in why they were designed the way they were.

This led me to explore both artistic and UX/UI fields, analyzing products, services, and interfaces through a design-thinking lens.

To deepen my knowledge, I started reading books like The Design of Everyday Things and Emotional Design by Don Norman.

In the fall of 2024, I completed the UX Masterclass at xLabs Hungary, where my team and I designed an app to assist with workouts. This project further strengthened my Figma skills.

To build on that experience, I also took several courses from the Interaction Design Foundation, which provided me with a solid foundation in UX principles and methods. These courses helped me refine my skills and deepen my understanding of user-centered design.

My Background

2024

I previously worked as a frontend developer, contributing to the development of a new point-of-sale system.

  • the significance of structured planning
  • the importance of collaborating with field experts
  • applying user-centered design in software development

Experiencing these challenges firsthand helped me better understand how thoughtful design decisions and well-defined processes contribute to a successful product. Throughout this experience, I continued to grow both professionally and personally, further solidifying my commitment to transitioning into UX/UI design.

2022

Previously I co-founded Simboostr, a startup where we developed an AI coach for sim racing games.

  • designing, developing, and maintaining the entire codebase
  • managing bug tracking
  • managing development timelines
  • redesigning parts of the application from a UX/UI perspective. I used Figma for all the designs.

Although we eventually had to shut down the startup, it was an invaluable experience that shaped my design thinking.

2021

I began my career as a full-stack software developer at a Budapest-based software company where I was working on the main sales system of a German automotive brand.

  • communicating with clients
  • bug fixing
  • code test coverage

2019

At my university I joined a student team called Arrabona Racing Team, a Formula Student team focused on building race cars. I had the opportunity to be part of a hardworking team.

  • researching AI for self-driving race car track recognition
  • developing a desktop application to analyze telemetry data
  • maintaining the team’s website
  • creating a game called ART - Arrabona Racing Game for both Android and iOS

2020 | Bosch Hackathon - 4th Place

In the Bosch-organized hackathon, my team secured 4th place. Our challenge was to enhance the functionality of a hand drill by integrating smart technology.

This experience taught me valuable lessons in teamwork, as I had to collaborate closely with others to bring our idea to life. It also helped me improve my time management skills, especially balancing the hackathon with other commitments.

Additionally, the competition provided an opportunity to strengthen my English skills, as we had to present our "invention" in English, which gave me more confidence in communicating technical concepts in a second language.

2019 | Szinti Snake - 1st Place

For the "Snake" game competition, we were tasked with programming the snake's decision-making process. Our snakes then competed in one-on-one battles against each other.

Juggling this competition alongside my university studies required a significant commitment. It taught me how to effectively manage my time and dedicate myself fully to a project. In the end, the hard work and determination paid off as I claimed first place!

2017 | Computer Game Development Competition - 1st Place

The competition focused on creating a game related to climate change. I developed "Pingvin Panka," where players help a penguin child navigate its way home, jumping on ice floes scattered with garbage.

This competition required immense dedication and commitment. It was a great opportunity for me to learn how to bring an idea to life, from concept to delivery, while tackling challenges along the way. The experience sharpened my problem-solving and creative skills, and ultimately led to me winning first place!

Check it out!

Transferable Skills

From Software Development

I have a deep understanding of software architecture, ranging from databases to frontend implementation.

Having worked as a developer, I gained valuable insight into how designers and developers collaborate.

  • determine how it can be implemented
  • recognize potential technical constraints
  • identify areas that require special attention

For instance, if a list page includes complex filters and needs to handle a large dataset, I can evaluate whether debouncing should be applied or how many filter conditions should be set to ensure smooth performance.

Time Management & Prioritization

In my experience as a developer, I learned how unpredictable challenges can affect project timelines.

At Simboostr, while it was tempting to address small, easy-to-fix tasks, I realized that prioritization was key.

Minor tasks may hinder progress if they aren’t aligned with the project’s main goals. This lesson has helped me set realistic timelines and prioritize tasks effectively, ensuring that the most important work gets done first.

This experience has allowed me to effectively prioritize tasks and set realistic timelines for a project.

Teamwork & Collaboration

I developed strong teamwork skills during my time at Simboostr. Working with a cohesive team made me realize how much impact collaboration can have on the success of a project.

I thrive in team environments and excel at collaborating during design critiques, brainstorming sessions, or workshops.

I have participated in and organized several workshops, where I gained hands-on experience in group ideation and collaborative problem-solving.

My Creative & Mindful Side

When I’m not designing, you’ll often find me immersed in my creative hobbies—painting and drawing. Art has always been my way of expressing ideas visually, which naturally connects to my love for designing.

I also practice yoga daily, which helps me stay balanced and focused, bringing a mindful approach to both my work and personal life.

My appreciation for nature and gardening keeps me grounded, inspiring me with organic shapes, colors, and textures that sometimes influence my design thinking.

If you're curious, you can check out my artwork on Instagram!