MJ

Leveling Up My UX/UI Skills: My Bootcamp Experience at neuefische

Earlier this year, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the UX/UI Design Bootcamp at neuefische GmbH, a school and talent pool for digital professionals. Running from April to July 2025, this intensive program spanned 540 hours of hands-on design practice (equivalent to 720 teaching units) and was conducted entirely in a virtual classroom.

The bootcamp was an intense and immersive experience. Over the course of three months, I deepened my knowledge across a wide range of UX/UI disciplines — from user research, design thinking, and usability testing to interface design, prototyping, and building design systems. I worked extensively with industry-standard tools such as Figma, FigJam, Excalidraw, Notion, Slack, and leveraged AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to support design ideation and collaboration.

What made this experience particularly valuable was the chance to apply and expand the knowledge I had already gained in the E-Commerce field. I was able to refine my approach to user flows, accessibility, and interaction design, while also exploring new methodologies and frameworks that I hadn’t worked with before. From responsive design and micro-interactions to ethical and sustainable design practices, every topic was approached with a hands-on mindset, giving me a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to craft intuitive and user-centered experiences.

Beyond technical skills, the bootcamp also emphasized collaboration, project management, and portfolio development, preparing me for real-world UX/UI projects. It was a journey that challenged me to think critically, iterate rapidly, and communicate design decisions effectively — all essential skills for creating meaningful digital experiences.

Completing this bootcamp has not only strengthened my UX/UI skill set but has also reinforced my passion for designing interfaces that are both functional and enjoyable to use. I’m excited to bring this experience into my future projects and continue turning complex challenges into clear, intuitive solutions.

by MJ

From Motion Design to UX/UI: Why I Pivoted

For over a decade, I worked in Motion Design, creating campaigns and visual stories for advertising. It was a field that challenged my creativity and sharpened my eye for detail — but over time, I felt the urge to go deeper than visuals alone. My fascination with futuristic user interfaces in films had already sparked an interest in digital interaction, and I wanted to create experiences that not only looked good but also worked seamlessly for the people using them.

I originally applied as a Motion Designer at an E-Commerce company, but already during the job interview my boss discovered that I had studied screen & web design — and the company urgently needed a website. From day one, I split my role between Motion Design and Web Design, quickly grew into Team Lead Web Design, and later became Lead of E-Commerce, where I optimized international webshops across the DACH and US markets, reduced bounce rates by more than 50%, and built scalable design systems. This was the foundation for my specialization in UX/UI design, where I now combine analytical problem-solving with strong design expertise.

What makes this shift exciting is that I didn’t leave motion design behind — I brought it with me. My background in animation gives me an edge when it comes to micro-interactions, UI animations, and engaging product experiences.

Now, I’m fully focused on UX/UI and E-Commerce. My goal is to create digital products where usability, aesthetics, and business impact come together — designs that perform just as well as they look.

by MJ