In Ukraine, where I'm from, “Viktoriia” and “Vika” are often interchangeable because “Vika” is a common affectionate and shortened version of the original name "Viktoriia/Victoria." In Ukraine, we tend to abbreviate long names for ease of everyday use. Both names refer to the same person but may convey different levels of intimacy.

Originally from Ukraine, I graduated with honors from Classical Private University with a bachelor's degree in tourism. In 2019, I took a bold leap of faith and moved to Hamburg, Germany, where I discovered my true passion for User Experience design. Growing up, I always had a creative inclination, but it wasn't until I immersed myself in a new environment that I realized how much I wanted to pursue UX design and research as a career. The German open culture of possibilities and innovative design scene in Hamburg inspired me to embrace my childhood dream and develop my skills in this exciting field. As I deepened my knowledge, I found myself especially drawn to UX analysis and research—understanding user behavior, identifying friction points, and using data to drive intuitive design decisions became my favorite part of the process!

I always start with a small ritual: like a true tea drinker, I make myself a large cup of tea. Then I set a timer for 25–50 minutes and start working using the Pomodoro technique. This helps me stay focused, get into a flow state, and avoid going into the maze of perfectionism, wasting time on insignificant details. Also, I try to inspire myself by creating a moodboard or simply gathering as much relevant information as possible. I naturally think in pictures and process information visually. So creating a rough visual draft and visualizing my thoughts and a problem is my first step to solving the task. After all, the most important thing is to start! :)

It all depends on a specific project. For example, at my old job, we organized events. One criterion for success was the number of new followers we gained on social networks after the event.

There are different measures of success. Success is positive feedback from your customers; success is positive conversion; success is several subscribers; and so on. When it comes to products, I think success is about continuous improvement.

I believe real success is when your design works in the first place! When a user has no problems accomplishing a specific task, your design is first and foremost a positive user experience.

I am subscribed to several newsletters (e.g. Semafor Technology, Dense Discovery, etc.), which keep me informed about what's going on in technology and new interesting products to try. I'm an innovation fan, and I like to follow the development of technology, test new products, and apply them in my daily life. For example, with the advent of Perplexity, I no longer use Google Search.

I treat accessibility as a fundamental design principle, not an afterthought. By designing for people with disabilities, we benefit all users. I incorporate WCAG guidelines and use tools like color/text contrast checkers in my research/design process. Also, I strive to understand diverse user experiences, often using assistive technologies myself. I strongly believe designs should be not just accessible but truly inclusive and enjoyable for all users, regardless of ability.

People often describe me as intelligent and tenacious, traits my German teacher particularly noted. My husband highlights my determination and compassion, which are core to both my personal and professional life. Friends appreciate my optimism and direct communication style. They also admire my warm, attentive, and positive nature.

These qualities collectively contribute to my ability to work effectively in teams, tackle challenges with enthusiasm, and maintain strong relationships in both personal and professional settings.