Meet Thais Idei, our User Experience Designer
Curious about blending creativity, travel, and design into one inspiring career? Meet Thais, our talented UX Designer!
From her artistic roots in Brazil to her leap to Sheffield, England, Thais brings a vibrant perspective to her work. With a passion for painting, drawing, and DIY projects, she infuses creativity into every design challenge.
In this interview, Thais shares her journey of growth, her approach to solving design problems, and her tips for aspiring UX designers. Join us as we uncover her story and insights on human-centered design.
Hi, Thais! How are you today?
Hi, everyone! I’m doing great. There are so many new things happening and so many opportunities to explore.
Could you describe yourself in a few sentences?
I’m a Brazilian UX designer living in England. I love painting, drawing, and all kinds of creative, do-it-yourself projects. I also enjoy visiting new places and meeting new people. I’m an energetic morning person (anyone who’s had a morning meeting with me knows this well!).
You’ve recently moved from Brazil to Sheffield, England. How has this transition influenced your work or perspective as a designer?
New experiences always help us grow. Stepping out of our comfort zones can be challenging, but it also opens your eyes to entirely new ways of thinking. For me, it’s incredibly motivating to see how far my career has brought me and how much I can learn in this new environment.
This transition has been a huge boost to my creativity and has helped me connect with people from diverse cultures, which enhances my ability to empathise with users. The more we understand people, the better we can design solutions that work for a global audience.
With eight years of experience across industries like magazines, e-commerce, and marketing, what project or achievement are you most proud of?
I’d say my personal growth. I’m really proud of the person and professional I’ve become. Every project and opportunity I’ve had has shaped who I am today. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about concepts, software, and techniques, which are constantly evolving.
What I’m most grateful for, though, is the chance to work with talented people who’ve inspired me to be kind, empathetic, and collaborative. They’ve taught me the value of working in a healthy environment where we can grow and learn together. Of course, there have been challenges along the way, but knowing what you don’t want is just as important.
Which stage of the design process excites you the most, and why?
I love the ideation phase. Starting a new project is always exciting! Identifying problems and creating solutions is an amazing process. One of the greatest joys of my work is seeing how these ideas take shape and how people interact with them.
As a creative, it’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my work doesn’t just look good, it really can iimproves people’s lives.
As a Virgo, your methodical nature shines through in your work. How do you use organisation and planning to approach complex design challenges?
OMG, you’ve got me there! I used to be sceptical about signs, but over time, I’ve realised how much they make sense. I’m very methodical! I love lists, planning, and organising things.
This trait helps me create user flows because I enjoy thinking through all the details, possibilities, and potential blockers. It’s like planning a big trip: you cover all the scenarios and have backup plans ready. Most of the time, we need Plans A, B, C... and maybe even D!
How has working remotely with Native Teams impacted your lifestyle and creative process?
The best part of working with Native Teams is collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. It’s incredibly inspiring!
Working remotely also gives me the freedom to work from anywhere.I find that I’m most inspired when I can experience new places and ideas. Even though we work in tech, we need to live fully to bring fresh, meaningful ideas to our products.
What does a typical day look like for you as a User Experience Designer at Native Teams?
We have a big product with many features, so I work closely with PMs and developers. Usually, we brainstorm ideas together, I prepare some designs, and then we have design calls to align and refine them before moving into development.
Every project has its own flow, some of them are simple, while others are complex and require a lot of collaboration. This variety makes the work even more exciting!
You’ve combined your love of travelling with work. What’s been your favourite destination so far, and why?
That’s such a hard question! I’ve been to so many amazing places. But if I had to choose, I’d say my favourite trip so far was my European backpacking adventure.
It had been a dream of mine since I was young, but it always seemed out of reach. Fortunately, my remote job made it possible, and my husband (who’s also my best friend) shared this dream with me.
Last summer, we travelled to eight countries and countless cities over three months. It was so inspiring. I met so many new people and made wonderful connections. And the best part? I even landed my job at Native Teams during the trip! Each stage of the interview process took place in a different country.
Your husband is also a creative professional. How does your dynamic as a designer-photographer duo influence your projects or personal content creation?
In Portuguese, we say, “Every pot has its lid,” and I’m incredibly lucky to have found mine so early in life. We’ve been together for a long time, and our shared creative, free-spirited nature is one of our greatest strengths.
We’ve collaborated on many projects, both personal and professional. I’m the planner, and he’s the storyteller, a perfect balance that brings out the best in both of us!
How did your passion for drawing during school shape your career path in design?
In high school, I struggled with the pressure of choosing a university degree. Drawing was my escape, but I didn’t see it as a career option at the time.
When I discovered graphic design, everything clicked. I loved learning how to transform ideas into tangible creations. Over time, I realised it wasn’t just about making things beautiful, it was about solving real problems and improving people’s lives.
What advice would you give someone considering a career in user-centred design or UX research?
Always be open to learning and connecting with people. Empathy, observation, and active listening are essential skills.
Tools and methodologies will always evolve, but understanding human psychology and sociology is timeless.
If you could design a product to solve one real-world problem, what would it be?
I’d create something to inspire hope, love, empathy, and positivity. I’m still figuring out how, but that’s the dream!
What challenges have you faced as a designer, and how did you overcome them?
Early in my career, I was quite immature and believed I had all the answers, but that was just my ego speaking. Receiving feedback that challenged my perspective was difficult to accept at first.
Over time, with experience and the guidance of great mentors, I came to appreciate the true value of feedback. It taught me how collaboration, testing, and maintaining an open mind could significantly improve projects while helping me grow both professionally and personally. If you want to create meaningful solutions for people, the first step is learning to truly listen to them.
If you weren’t a designer, what career would you see yourself in purely for fun?
Perhaps an art teacher! I’d love the chance to create things by hand while inspiring and connecting with others.
If you could create a dream design project anywhere in the world, where would it be, and what would you work on?
Everywhere! I believe in the power of human connection and collective success. My dream is to contribute to something meaningful that inspires positivity and goodness in others, no matter where they are.
Finally, if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Life is the colour you paint it. You have the power to create and recreate your life every day, starting with your thoughts. If you can dream it, you can live it. If you are not sure about something, follow the path of positive thinking, it’ll lead you to the right places.