Saliha Ahmed is Calvium’s expert in interface design. After graduating from university with a First Class Honours in graphic communication, Saliha developed a passion for UI and UX design of web and mobile apps, before joining Calvium in 2019.

In this interview, where we shine a spotlight on our colleagues, Saliha shares some insights into her role as Senior UI Designer, her passion for design, and her sources of inspiration.

What are your roles as a UI designer in a project team?

A project team usually comprises the project managers, myself and the developers. Initially, I collaborate with the project managers and clients to gather the requirements that will inform the designs, and then we start the design process.

We start by researching the market and any potential competitors, create user personas and stories to understand the needs of the user, and then we go into creating app flows and wireframes based on that. The whole team is involved throughout the process. The part I enjoy most follows: creating the user interface design.

What do you most enjoy about UI design?

I take great pleasure in developing the visual style and branding, including the selection of colours, typography, icons and UI component styles. First of all it’s important to get to know the company, the drivers for the product and the context, and to be informed by the client’s existing branding. From that solid base, I like building a creative response. Occasionally there are opportunities to create an entirely new brand, which I find very creatively stimulating. When starting from scratch, I present the client with a few different branding variations, and we proceed from there, taking on board their feedback and preferences. 

Can you give an example of a project with an interesting challenge, and how you produced a solution?

Calvium’s Place Experience Platform began as a white-label mobile solution designed to connect visitors to places. The initial design challenge was to develop a user interface capable of adapting to different clients’ branding and colour schemes. Additionally, we incorporated both light and dark modes, which required careful consideration of colour contrasts, as despite the complexity, we ensured the platform achieved high accessibility standards.

Now that the Place Experience Platform has expanded further to include street kiosk design for Ely and a web app for Wiltshire, we have needed to extend the design system to accommodate various platforms, screen sizes, and constraints. This undertaking has presented challenges but has also enabled us to ensure consistency and enhance the user experience and accessibility.

What have been your favourite UI projects at Calvium, and why?

I enjoyed working on the Sidekick app for Open Bionics and the ‘Project What If’ exhibition for We the Curious, the Bristol science centre. Both were rewarding projects, helping good causes. The UI for both projects used Dark Mode style guides, which I enjoyed working with as it’s different to the other UI styles that I’ve created before and gives it a different feel.

Open Bionics creates 3D printed prosthetic limbs called the Hero Arms. We designed the Sidekick app to help Hero Arm users to master skills using the arm and to personalise the functions. The app also provides the ability to control certain features of the Hero Arm. Open Bionics wanted a futuristic feel to their design which would appeal to both their older and younger target users, so we used bright highlight colours in contrast to the dark UI.

For We The Curious we created 25 interactive digital exhibits. The UI challenge was to create a style that was consistent with the physical exhibits, hence adopting a dark UI to match the broader visual design. A design system was created to maintain consistency of UI throughout all exhibits.

How important is user centred design and how do you achieve it?

It’s hugely important and guides every project I work on at Calvium. To create a user-friendly product, it is essential to consistently consider the user’s needs throughout the entire process. This also necessitates careful consideration of accessibility, which encompasses a broad range of factors, from colour contrast to the size of touchpoints.

Where do you get your UI inspiration from?

I take a real interest in UI design that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, and gain inspiration everyday from interacting with platforms such as apps and websites. I’ve always been a fan of the Uber design system and suite of apps with their focus on simplicity and efficiency. The minimalistic and clear interface ensures a straightforward user experience, while familiar symbols and a limited colour palette make the app visually appealing and easy to navigate. I like to keep an eye on the evolving trends in UI design and implement them in the new projects I undertake.

What gives you pride in your work?

Fulfilling a purpose and bringing the client’s vision to life brings me great satisfaction in my work and my role as a designer. In all projects, the ultimate objective is to create an easy to use user experience for the end user, which I find immensely rewarding. 

How do you feel you have grown whilst at Calvium?

The opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects, along with experimenting with various UI styles, has significantly contributed to the development of my skills. Additionally, being part of a supportive team has been invaluable, as we continuously learn from one another.

What excites you about the latest developments and future of UI design?

Efficiency in design is exciting. Artificial Intelligence is enhancing UI and UX design in various ways, such as through copywriting and image generation. However, it works best when used to facilitate a more fluid design process, rather than dominate it. Another aspect that excites me is that accessibility in design is becoming more prevalent and more widely considered, which is a promising development. 

Thank you Saliha for sharing your insight and experience!