Better Late Than Never: Celebrating My Graduation from AltSchool Africa in Product Design!

Introduction

It’s been a few months since I completed my journey at AltSchool Africa, but as they say, better late than never! Life has been a whirlwind, juggling graphic design projects and developing my product design skills. Now that the dust has settled, I’m excited to finally share my experience and reflect on how much I’ve grown. Although I didn’t rush to post this earlier, every step of this journey has been a meaningful one, and today, I’m proud to celebrate this milestone.

The Path to Graduation

When I first enrolled in AltSchool Africa’s Product Design program, my goal was clear: to transition from graphic design to product design full-time. However, the path wasn’t as straightforward as I had imagined. My friend Toyeeb once teased me, “You went to AltSchool Africa to learn product design, but instead of working on a product in Figma, I see you using Figma for graphic and brand design work.”

He wasn’t wrong, but what he didn’t realise was how much the user experience (UX) principles I was learning had enriched my branding work. It felt like a natural evolution, where the boundaries between product design and brand design started to blur. The truth is, the skills I developed in product design found their way into every part of my creative career. And despite the challenges, I’m glad I didn’t give up.

Balancing my paid graphic design work with the demands of the product design program at AltSchool was tough. There were countless times when I felt overwhelmed, wanting to drop out and just focus on what I knew best. But I kept pushing forward, knowing that finishing what I started would be worth it.

Skills Gained and Applied

AltSchool Africa provided me with much more than just product design skills — it opened up a whole new perspective on how I approach all aspects of design. Throughout my time in the program, I integrated Figma into my everyday workflow, particularly in my branding projects. The UX/UI knowledge I gained from the weekly video uploads, live classes, and structured lessons helped me rethink how I create designs that truly serve the end user.

One of the key takeaways was learning to apply UX principles to graphic design. Whether I was creating designs for events or working on portfolios, I focused on user needs and research, thanks to the lessons learned at AltSchool. For instance, while volunteering for two events at my school Jihad Week and the Undergraduate Students Summit I applied what I’d learned by using Figma to streamline the design process. From typography to color styles, I treated the branding for these events as a design sprint, putting my UX and graphic design skills to the test.

Post-Graduation Success

Since completing the program, I’ve had the opportunity to put everything I’ve learned into action. While I’m still doing graphic design, the user experience knowledge I gained has made me a more versatile and thoughtful designer. From creating portfolio websites to leading design efforts for major events, I’ve been able to merge both graphic and product design principles seamlessly.

I’ve also become proficient in using Figma (for design) and FigJam (for user research) for both product and graphic design work. This has helped me take on more complex projects with confidence. It’s been a period of growth, and I’m excited to apply these skills in more challenging environments as I continue my career journey.

Looking Ahead

Looking back, the challenges were well worth it, and I’m thrilled to have completed this chapter of my career development. But this isn’t the end. As I continue to work on personal projects and build my portfolio, I’m excited for what the future holds. I aspire to become a world-class designer and design consultant, helping clients and companies create products that are both functional and beautifully crafted.

I’m also open to any project that will allow me to push the boundaries of my skills. Whether in product or graphic design, I know that the combination of both disciplines will help me stand out in the design industry.

Conclusion: No Achievement is Too Late to Celebrate

Though I’m posting this a few months after graduating, the impact of AltSchool Africa on my design career has been profound. The skills I gained, the experiences I had, and the challenges I overcame all contributed to where I am today. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no achievement is too late to celebrate.

AltSchool didn’t just teach me design tools — it gave me a structured environment to grow, learn, and connect with industry professionals. It also rekindled my love for writing, thanks to the technical writing course, which I now use to communicate more clearly about design. So, here’s to celebrating this milestone, however late it may be. After all, the journey is just as important as the destination.

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