Olawale Bamidele’s journey into product and UX design did not begin with a clear roadmap, but with curiosity and persistence. From self-teaching through redesigns and online communities to building real-world systems across mobility, fintech, and digital products, his path reflects the realities of learning and building in emerging markets.
As the founder of UX Thrive and Think UX, Bamidele has become a central figure in Africa’s design ecosystem, focused on mentorship, community building, and long-term career growth for designers. His work spans product design, design tooling, and ecosystem development, with a strong emphasis on clarity, accessibility, and business impact.
In this exclusive conversation, Olawale Bamidele reflects on learning in isolation, scaling design communities, navigating real-world constraints, and why mindset, structure, and empathy matter as much as technical skill in building products and teams that last.
What first drew you to product and UX design, and what did those early days look like for you?
My journey into product and UX design started from pure curiosity rather than a clear career plan. I was always interested in how digital products worked and why some felt easy and intuitive while others were confusing and frustrating. I began with graphic design and video editing, creating visuals and motion content, but over time, I became more interested in how people actually interacted with what I was designing. That curiosity pushed me toward interface and experience design.
In the early days, learning was mostly self-driven. I spent countless hours watching tutorials, redesigning existing apps for practice, joining online communities, and experimenting with different design tools. There was no structured mentorship or clear roadmap, so I had to learn through trial and error. It was challenging, but it helped me build problem-solving skills, resilience, and a mindset of continuous learning that still defines how I work today.
What were some defining challenges early on, and how did they influence the designer you’ve become?
One of the biggest challenges was limited access to guidance and industry exposure. I did not have people around me who were already in the product design field, so I had to figure out many things on my own, from building a portfolio to understanding how real product teams operate. There were also moments of self-doubt, especially when comparing my work to designers in more developed tech ecosystems.
These challenges taught me patience, humility, and persistence. They also made me deeply aware of how powerful mentorship can be. That experience shaped my passion for building communities and creating opportunities for others. It is the reason mentorship and knowledge sharing are now central to everything I do.
At what point did you realize design could be more than a career but a vehicle for impact?
That realization came when I started mentoring younger designers and seeing tangible changes in their lives. Some of them got their first jobs, some became more confident, and others began to see new possibilities for their future. It made me understand that design is not only about creating products but about enabling people and creating pathways to opportunity.
I also saw how good design can improve access to services, financial tools, and information, especially in emerging markets. That made me shift my mindset from just building a successful career to building systems, platforms, and communities that multiply impact.
UX Thrive has grown into one of Africa’s fastest-growing design communities. What gap did you see that made you start it?
I noticed that many aspiring designers were learning in isolation. They had access to online tutorials, but they lacked direction, mentorship, and community support. Many did not understand how to transition from learning tools to building real products or preparing for professional roles.
UX Thrive was created to bridge that gap by providing mentorship, learning opportunities, accountability, and community. It is not just about teaching design skills, but also about helping people build confidence, professional habits, and long-term career strategies.
What were the hardest lessons in growing UX Thrive to thousands of designers globally?
One major lesson was that community growth requires structure, not just passion. You cannot rely on one person to do everything. You need systems, leadership teams, and processes that allow others to take ownership and contribute.
Another lesson was learning to manage expectations. People come from different backgrounds and have different needs, so you must constantly adapt and communicate clearly. Building trust, consistency, and sustainable engagement has been far more important than chasing rapid growth.
What patterns do you notice among designers who succeed versus those who struggle?
Designers who succeed tend to take responsibility for their growth. They actively seek feedback, work on real projects, and are willing to learn beyond just design tools. They understand that design is about solving problems, not just making things look good.
Those who struggle often wait for perfect conditions, focus too much on shortcuts, or avoid critique. Growth in design requires humility and continuous improvement. The designers who embrace discomfort and learning curves are usually the ones who progress the fastest.
What inspired you to create Think UX?
Think UX was created because we wanted to take design conversations beyond online spaces and build stronger industry connections. While online communities are powerful, physical events create deeper relationships, collaboration, and shared experiences.
We also wanted to bring designers, founders, and product leaders into the same room so conversations could happen across disciplines. That cross-pollination of ideas is critical for building strong tech ecosystems.
How do you think African UX practice differs from global norms?
African UX is heavily influenced by real-world constraints such as unstable internet, shared devices, language diversity, and varying levels of digital literacy. Designers must think more deeply about accessibility, simplicity, and trust.
This environment forces designers to be more creative and practical. It leads to solutions that are not only visually appealing but also highly functional and adaptable to complex user realities.
What conversations about design in Africa are still missing?
We need more conversations around design leadership, business strategy, and policy influence. Design should not only exist at the execution level but also at decision-making tables where products and systems are shaped.
There is also a need for deeper discussions around ethics, accessibility, and social impact, especially as technology becomes more integrated into essential services like finance, health, and education.
What did designing a taxi ecosystem at Scud Technologies teach you?
Designing across rider, driver, and admin platforms taught me that products are complex systems, not isolated screens. Every design decision affects multiple stakeholders.
It also taught me that real users operate in unpredictable conditions. Network failures, device limitations, and economic pressures all shape behavior. Designing for Africa requires flexibility, empathy, and constant iteration based on real usage data.
Why was it important for you to build tools like FlagFetch and figmaplugins.net?
I realized that designers lose a lot of productive time on small repetitive tasks. By creating tools that improve workflow efficiency, you help designers focus more on problem-solving and creativity.
Building tools also allows you to scale impact beyond your immediate environment. A single plugin can help thousands of designers across different countries and industries.
How is AI changing the role of product designers today?
AI is automating many repetitive tasks such as research analysis, wireframing, and content generation. This allows designers to spend more time on strategy, user understanding, and product direction.
However, it also means designers must develop skills in critical thinking, ethics, and system design. The role is shifting from execution to orchestration and decision-making.
What excites you and what concerns you about AI?
I am excited about how fast teams can now test ideas and personalize user experiences. It reduces barriers to innovation.
My concern is that people may rely too heavily on AI outputs without questioning context, bias, or ethical implications. Especially in fintech and governance systems, mistakes can have serious consequences.
What UX mistakes do you see repeatedly in African fintech and AI startups?
Many products still have overly complex onboarding processes and poor trust communication. Users often do not understand what is happening with their data or money.
There is also a tendency to design for ideal conditions instead of real environments where connectivity and device quality may be limited.
How can designers better align UX with business outcomes?
Designers should understand product metrics, customer acquisition, retention, and revenue models. When you understand how the business works, you can design experiences that drive both user satisfaction and business growth.
UX should be positioned as a strategic tool, not just a visual layer.
Why is global visibility so important for African designers?
Visibility creates access to opportunities, partnerships, and funding. It also helps reshape global narratives about innovation in Africa.
When African designers are seen on global platforms, it encourages companies to invest in local talent and gives younger designers role models they can relate to.
What motivated you to write A UX Designer Mindset?
I wanted to focus on long-term thinking, resilience, and professional growth rather than just technical skills. Tools will always change, but mindset determines how far a designer can go.
The book is about helping designers build confidence, adaptability, and leadership capacity.
How do you stay grounded amid recognition and awards?
I stay closely connected to community work and mentorship. When you are constantly supporting others, it reminds you that success is not just personal achievement but collective progress.
I also reflect on how much more there is to learn and contribute. That keeps me humble and focused.
What responsibility comes with being seen as a design leader?
It means being intentional about values, integrity, and inclusiveness. People observe not just your achievements but how you treat others and who you support.
Leadership is about opening doors and building platforms, not just building a personal brand.
What is next for you?
I am focused on expanding platforms that support designers, scaling design initiatives across Africa, growing Think UX, and building products that solve real problems in emerging markets.
I am also investing in long-term ecosystem development through education, partnerships, and global collaborations.
What message would you leave with young African designers?
Your environment does not define your limits. Start where you are, build consistently, and stay curious. Seek feedback, embrace learning, and do not be afraid to think globally.
Africa has incredible talent, and the world is paying attention. The responsibility now is to show up with excellence, confidence, and purpose.
