Hi, I'm Ana

I'm a UX Engineer passionate about creating intuitive, accessible digital experiences. But my journey here wasn't straightforward — it was shaped by resilience, reinvention, and a constant curiosity about how things work.

I grew up in Venezuela, the kind of kid who loved math and technical drawing— a subject where we learned to create precise, measured diagrams. That love for structure and logic led me to study Electronic Engineering at university.

But I couldn't finish. I had to leave the country.

Looking for stability, my family and I moved to Spain — and that's where everything started to shift.

Ana portrait

From Surviving to Designing

When I arrived in Spain, I couldn't enroll at university right away — too much paperwork missing from Venezuela. So I worked. And worked. Photographer. Waitress. Receptionist. Secretary. Market research. I did whatever I could to support myself. But deep down, I knew I wanted something else — something more creative, more meaningful.

I started taking online courses in UI design, and it felt like a revelation — a space where logic and creativity came together to improve everyday experiences.

I was hooked. But after a year of studying, I still couldn't break into the industry. So I added a new skill: frontend development. I wanted to build the things I was designing.

Eventually, I moved to London. I spent six months working in a fast-food restaurant while learning everything I could at night. Then came my first real break — a job at a small agency where I designed and coded government websites. That's where I discovered the power of accessibility.

Later, I joined a product team as a frontend engineer, building software from scratch. I loved the work — but the rigid office rhythm left me craving more freedom.

Ana in London

A Reset That Changed Everything

To figure out what I truly wanted, I took a leap: I moved to Japan for a year to study the language and reset my life.

Immersing myself in a completely different culture reminded me of what I value most: curiosity, independence, and meaningful work. I came back with clarity — I wanted to build a career on my own terms, blending design, development, and a deep care for the user.

That's what I'm doing now.

I work on thoughtful projects where I design and build inclusive experiences. I'm looking to collaborate with small teams who care about users, value async work, and want to build products that make a real difference.

If that sounds like you — let's talk.

Ana in Japan

Creating to Teach, Share, and Grow

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UX Pals

I started UX Pals because I hated seeing products ignore their users. I wanted to teach beginners, solo builders, and creators the importance of UX — even if they didn't have a designer on their team.

Through real stories and examples, I share practical tips to help anyone improve their digital products. There's even a free Starter Kit to help you get started.

Follow @ux_pals
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My YouTube Channel

My Spanish YouTube channel is my personal space: day-in-the-life vlogs, what I'm learning, and behind-the-scenes of working in tech.

It's one of my favorite hobbies because I can look back and see how much I've grown — and connect with others going through similar journeys.

Watch on YouTube

The Honest Journey Newsletter

This is not your average newsletter. It's a mix of honest stories, experiments, and lessons learned as I build a creative life on my own terms.

Each week, I share what I've been up to—designing better user experiences, launching tiny products, working on UX Pals, or just trying to stay focused while figuring things out. Expect reflections on creative work, productivity, language learning, and navigating life in tech with a curious mind.

You'll also get my favorite finds of the week: books, videos, quotes, or ideas that made me stop and think. It's part diary, part lab notebook—and always real.

No fluff. Just the journey, as it happens.

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If you're into honest stories, small wins, creative chaos, and figuring things out one step at a time — you'll probably enjoy this. I send one email a week, just sharing the journey.

What I Love Outside of Work

Travel

Travel has changed the way I see the world. Each country I visit teaches me something new about people — how different we are, and how similar we can be.

“Every country I visit teaches me how similar we all are.”

Food

I love food as a way of understanding cultures. I’ll try anything at least once, just to experience what matters to others (within reason — I don’t want to get sick!).

“Food is the most delicious way to connect with other cultures.”

Language Learning

My love for language learning started after learning English. Making friends from all over the world showed me its real purpose: connection and empathy, not just career opportunities.

“Every language I learn opens a new way to see the world.”

Coaching for Language Learning & Productivity

Learn smarter, organize your life better, and enjoy the process of growing every day.

Over the years, I've become the go-to friend for advice on learning and productivity. I'm not a traditional teacher — I don't give grammar lessons or rigid “to-do” lists. Instead, I guide people to know themselves deeply, build habits, and create systems that actually work for them.

This started with my own journey:

  • I went from struggling to learn English to learning Japanese efficiently.
  • I built daily learning habits and a Notion system to organize my life and projects.
  • I made a mindset shift — I started seeing myself as a person who learns every day.

Now, I offer 1:1 casual coaching sessions for anyone who:

  • Feels stuck in their productivity or learning journey
  • Wants to finally make consistent progress on a language or skill
  • Needs a personalized plan and systems instead of generic advice

What My Coaching Looks Like:

  • Casual 1:1 sessions (video call)
  • Personalized plan & homework to explore methods that fit you
  • Focus on habit-building, motivation, and self-organization
  • No grammar lessons — I help you learn how to learn effectively
Ana in front of a desk

If you've been struggling with motivation, productivity, or language learning, I'd love to help you build your own path.

Core Values That Shape My Work & Life

Freedom

I believe we do our best work when we’re free to question, explore, and choose our own path. That’s how I live — and how I work.

Responsibility

I take my work (and your trust) seriously. Whether it’s a UX project or a coaching session, I show up prepared and committed.

Honesty

I don’t sugarcoat things. You’ll always get transparency from me — even if that means saying ‘this won’t work.’

Independence

I’m a self-starter, problem-solver, and lifelong learner. I won’t wait to be told what to do — I’ll propose ideas and take initiative.

Helping others

Everything I do — UX, coaching, content — is rooted in service. I want to make things easier, clearer, and better for others.

Curiosity

I ask questions. I experiment. I dive deep. Curiosity is what brought me here and what keeps me growing.

If you feel aligned with these values, I’d love to hear from you.

Or, if you're curious to know how I think, work, and figure things out?

Subscribe to my weekly notes

I share honest stories, tiny wins, lessons learned, and what I’m exploring — from UX and frontend to creativity and life.