Nikol Bilous joined our team as a UX Intern in January and has been learning and gaining new skills ever since. We sat down with her to learn more about why she decided to join Border Crossing UX and what drives her inspiration.

What do you do at Border Crossing UX?

I am a UX Design Intern and so far, with the help of the team, I’ve had the opportunity to shadow some interviews and learn how to analyse and present the findings. I’ve also started working with WordPress for the first time, learning how to manage and update content efficiently.

Tell us a bit about your background and where you are from.

I studied social and economic psychology in Ukraine before moving to Scotland, where I transitioned to UX Design. My background in psychology gave me a strong foundation in understanding user behaviour, which I applied while working as a freelancer before joining Border Crossing UX. Now, I am excited to keep learning and gain experience in a team environment.

What made you want to work in User Experience?

I have always been interested in how people think and interact with the world around them, which originally led me to study psychology. However, as I explored different career paths, I realised I wanted to apply this knowledge in a more practical sense. UX felt like a perfect blend of research, creativity, and problem-solving. It is rewarding to design experiences that not only look good but also truly meet user needs.

What attracted you to becoming a UX Intern at Border Crossing UX?

What attracted me to Border Crossing UX is that it is a consultancy, not an agency. The way they work closely with their clients to design strategic, user-centred solutions really stood out to me.

What has been the biggest surprise so far?

The biggest surprise so far has been how much my psychology background shapes my work in the UX field. It helps me think critically about how people interact with digital products and emotionally engage with them. I did not expect psychology to play such a significant role in my design work, but it is one of my biggest strengths.

What has been your favourite part about the job so far?

What I love most about the job so far is the sense of community and inclusivity. Everyone is friendly and I had a chance to jump right into discussions and collaborative tasks from the beginning. It has also been so inspiring to see how the research is conducted – gathering insights from real users and working with actual clients, instead of the hypothetical ones I use for my university course.

Is there anything that you’re particularly looking forward to?

I’m particularly looking forward to working on projects that can make a real difference. I love the idea of designing experiences that improve people’s lives. Whether it is by making technology more accessible or creating user-friendly solutions for everyday problems, I strive to make a positive impact.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

I am a very visual person, so a lot of my inspiration comes from the world around me. I love visiting galleries and exhibitions, and exploring how artists use colours, shapes, and words to evoke different emotions. These experiences guide me in creating clear and visually engaging designs.

Did you have a specific moment when you knew that UX design was what you wanted to do?

There wasn’t a single defining moment – rather, I stumbled into UX, and it just clicked for me. I started Google’s UX course, just to explore something new, and almost at once, I found myself completely engaged. It did not take long before I knew this was what I wanted to pursue.

You’ve been in Edinburgh for a few years now. What’s your favourite place or restaurant to visit in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has so many beautiful places, and over the past 3 years, I have built up quite a list of favourite ones! My ultimate happy place is Bruntsfield Links – there is nothing better than watching all the dogs running around or enjoying a relaxing picnic there.

And if food is on your mind, Three Birds is a fantastic lunch spot worth checking out!

Finally, what is your go-to song to get you into the creative mindset?

Probably anything by Chris Isaak. His songs have this nostalgic, cinematic feel that really helps me to get in the zone. Whether it is Wicked Game or something more upbeat, there is something about the lyrics and atmosphere that puts me in the right headspace to design, write , or brainstorm.