Dilak from Nepal completed his Master of Interaction Design (Extension) and currently works in Sydney as Senior Experience Designer at Symplicit.
Dilak Shakya
Meet Dilak
Back in Nepal, Dilak worked as a User Experience Designer and developed a passion for interaction design and creating aesthetically pleasing and intuitive user-centred products. Seeking to take his career to the next level, Dilak looked for opportunities to further his education in interaction design.
“Unfortunately, universities in Nepal did not offer any courses on interaction design at the time, so I started looking for universities overseas. That's when I found the Master of Interaction Design course offered by UTS, and I felt that this was the course that could help me achieve my career goal.”
As a high achieving commencing international student, Dilak received the Postgraduate Academic Excellence International Scholarship to cover 25% of his tuition fees.
“Receiving the scholarship brought me great joy as it offered financial support for my tuition fees, which is really important for an international student. It helped me focus more on my studies, resulting in improved academic grades.”
During his studies, Dilak was impressed at how UTS assignments simulated real-world industry scenarios and challenges to prepare students to be “job-ready” upon graduation.
“I recall my Human Centred Design Methods assignment, which was a valuable experience for honing my research abilities. This course taught me how to plan and execute user interviews and gather insights effectively. I also learned how to analyse quantitative data using "Thematic Analysis" and effectively communicate my findings by writing comprehensive reports. All these skills are now integral to my daily work as an Experience Designer.
For my Interaction Design capstone course, I learned to use agile methodologies to collaborate with my peers. Acquiring knowledge of agile and scrum greatly influenced my professional life. I developed strong proficiency in using the design tool Figma to create high-fidelity prototype designs, which is considered a vital tool for any Experience Designer.”
The intimate class sizes of the Master of Interaction Design also allowed Dilak to build strong relationships with UTS academics, opening up doors for professional opportunities. “I took two subjects, Human Centred Design Methods and Advanced Interaction Design, with Dr. Elise Van Den Hoven. Throughout these courses, Dr. Elise provided me with valuable guidance and support. She leveraged her networks to help me secure an internship at Achieve Australia. This internship provided me with practical experience, industry exposure, and career advancement opportunities which were instrumental in launching my career as a UX Designer in Australia. Following the completion of my internship, I was offered a job at Achieve Australia.”
Today, Dilak is a Senior Experience Designer at Symplicit, a Sydney-based design agency.
My degree from UTS equipped me with specialised knowledge and skills in user research, information architecture, interaction design, and usability testing, which are crucial for success in the UX industry. Additionally, my degree helped me refine my soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, adaptability, and time management, which are equally crucial for a successful career. Moreover, having a degree from UTS boosted my reputation and made me more competitive in the job market.
In the future, Dilak aspires to connect and disseminate knowledge between UX communities across Australia and Nepal.
“I am eager to foster connections with UX professionals in Nepal and build a local design community that enables us to provide design mentorship, training, and workshops, thereby uplifting the skill set of designers in Nepal.”
In offering advice to fellow international students considering studying at UTS, Dilak says:
“Although starting a career in Australia's design industry as an international student can be challenging, it is not impossible. You can use your assignments at UTS to develop your UX design skills and keep up with the latest trends. Landing a full-time job may be competitive as an international student, so you can gain experience and build a portfolio through internships and freelance work. Additionally, investing time and effort in building your network by attending events and participating in online communities is essential. A strong network can help you advance your career as a UX Designer. Lastly, don't give up and be persistent in your job search. While finding a job in your field may take time, with dedication and hard work, you can succeed in your career as an international student.
If you are a UX Designer or aspire to become one, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn. I'm always willing to talk about design or assist you in any way I can.”