At first glance, my stained glass artwork might seem completely unrelated to my work as a UX designer. After all, what does soldering glass and sketching patterns have to do with digital interfaces?
But as I’ve immersed myself in both worlds, I’ve realized that the creative process behind stained glass and UX design are surprisingly alike—both require research, iteration, execution, and outreach to create something truly impactful.
1. Conceptualization: Research & Storytelling
Every stained glass piece begins with an idea. Before cutting the first piece of glass, I research the subject, explore its cultural context, and sketch multiple ideas until I land on a composition that tells a compelling story at first glance.
🔍 How this relates to UX: In UX design, we start with desk research, competitor analysis, and user interviews. We sketch wireframes, test concepts, and refine strategy to ensure the final design resonates with users. Both processes require a strong narrative—whether in glass or on a screen.
2. Designing: Problem-Solving in the Medium
Once I have a solid concept, I refine the final stained glass pattern. This stage involves problem-solving technical constraints—figuring out how to translate a complex drawing into something that can actually be constructed in glass.
🎨 How this relates to UX: In UX design, we transition from strategy to execution—working in Figma, prototyping interactions, and troubleshooting technical challenges like responsiveness and accessibility. Whether I’m sketching a glass pattern or designing a digital experience, I’m constantly refining to enhance the overall impact.
3. Execution: Iteration & Craftsmanship
This is where the real work happens—cutting glass, selecting colors, soldering, and carefully assembling the piece. Halfway through, I seek feedback from other artists to refine the details and ensure my message comes across.
🛠 How this relates to UX: In UX, we don’t just design in a vacuum—we test, iterate, and improve. User testing and feedback loops are crucial in refining digital experiences. Both processes require precision, patience, and iteration to create something meaningful.
4. Editing: Presenting the Work
Once the stained glass piece is finished, I need to make sure it’s presented well. This includes photographing the work, refining images, and editing the background for a polished final look. For this piece, I even used Gen-AI to recreate a forest backdrop since I couldn’t stage the real-life setting I envisioned.
📸 How this relates to UX: Presentation is just as important as the work itself. Whether it’s a pitch deck, case study, or product demo, how we present ideas determines whether they gain traction. UX designers, like artists, must sell the story behind the work to gain buy-in from stakeholders and investors.
5. Outreach & Critique: Sharing with the World
Creating art isn’t just about making—it’s also about making sure people see it. That means promoting work through social media, reels, and gallery submissions to get it in front of the right audience.
📢 How this relates to UX: After launching a product, the work isn’t over. UX designers also focus on marketing, branding, and product adoption—ensuring that what we’ve built reaches the right users and makes an impact.
Creativity is a Superpower
Whether I’m crafting a stained glass piece or designing a digital product, the core principles remain the same: research, iteration, execution, and storytelling. Exploring different creative mediums outside of UX has made me a better, more well-rounded designer—and a stronger storyteller.
So, what’s your version of "stained glass"? How do you explore creativity outside of work, and how does it shape the way you think? Let’s start a conversation.