User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design are no longer niche specializations. Today, they are critical roles in building digital products that actually work for real people. Whether you're booking a flight, ordering food, or using AI tools — there's a UX/UI designer behind the scenes making that experience smooth and intuitive.
We spoke with
Pavel Gospodinov, one of the lead trainers in Telerik Academy’s Upskill UX/UI program, with more than 6 years of experience as a Product Designer for enterprise projects, to learn more about what this profession really involves — and why now is a great time to explore it, even if you’re starting from scratch.
Hi, Pavel! What was your personal journey into UX/UI Design? Did you always know this was the field for you?
Not at all. I actually started in Front-End development, then shifted to Graphic Design. But I soon realized I wasn’t really the artsy type – I was more of a good communicator. That’s when it clicked: UX/UI was the right fit for me.
In your experience, what kind of person thrives in UX/UI? Are there any surprising or unconventional backgrounds that tend to do well?
In my opinion, people who can present ideas clearly, communicate well, and understand business needs tend to do really well. Those skills can take your UX/UI career to the next level. But it takes some time and requires some real-life experience.
Some people feel they aren’t “techy” enough for this field — what would you say to them?
UI design is one of the first areas where AI is already stepping in. That’s why soft skills, empathy and a solid grasp of core psychological principles are becoming even more valuable. You don’t need to stress too much about the technical side – UX is everywhere, and chances are, you’ve been practicing it unconsciously your whole life.
Why does UX/UI design matter in the world today — beyond just screens and interfaces? Where do you see new opportunities opening up?
People won’t stop interacting with product interfaces – if anything, digitalization is speeding up. So, our jobs as UX designers aren’t going anywhere, even with AI in the picture. After all, someone still needs to craft the prompts, right? And if you don’t understand the field, how can you create meaningful prompts? In the future we will become “architects” of our current jobs. That’s why the world needs more people like us – to guide businesses toward better user experiences and support their growth.
Looking ahead, how is the role of UX/UI changing over the next few years? And how does Telerik Academy’s Upskill UX/UI program prepare students for that future?
While the UX/UI field is evolving, the fundamentals remain the same – how people think, behave, and interact hasn’t changed that much over the past decade. What is changing is the context we work in. UX professionals should adapt, adopt and learn to leverage AI. Telerik Academy’s Upskill UX/UI program helps students develop the right mindset and critical thinking skills to handle real-world challenges with confidence.
What trends and emerging practices are you actively integrating into the course to keep it aligned with industry evolution?
We’ll explore how AI can help us work more efficiently — particularly during the strategy, discovery, and ideation phases. We'll also look at which tools are most useful in these contexts. Another important focus will be preparing for UX interviews and helping learners feel confident rather than intimidated by them. Finally, I plan to strengthen the course by diving deeper into how we can present our ideas more effectively and gain stakeholder approval.
Ready to design better digital experiences?
If Pavel’s journey sounds relatable — or if you’re simply curious about how to turn your communication, empathy, or strategic thinking into a creative tech career — Telerik Academy’s Upskill UX/UI program is the perfect place to start.
With experienced mentors, flexible evening sessions, and future-focused content (including how to use AI in your design process), this program helps you build a strong foundation. If you're starting from scratch you still have the chance to join out pre-course by 6 July.
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Apply now and join a growing community of UX/UI professionals shaping the future of digital products.
