Where are you located?
I’m located in Split, Croatia.
What do you like most about being a designer?
There are so many things I adore about being a designer. One of the biggest ones is that I love what I do and look forward to each new day of work. Even though this might sound like a cliché, I am truly grateful to have found a calling that lets me thrive, express myself, meet amazing and talented people, and be at the forefront of what’s digitally created in the world today. I love my designer’s eye that constantly seeks product solutions, beauty, efficiency, balance, and novelty. But more than anything, I love the sense of creating—building something out of nothing.
What’s an aspect of design that you are really into?
One of my favorite aspects of design is its role in shaping the future. I love how design accompanies every major technological breakthrough, leading the way as people begin to interact with innovation. Just as the first iPhone paved the way for smartphones as we know them today, the future of AI is being built right now—through the concepts, ideas, dreams, and experiments of designers and engineers. This is what keeps my passion alive and flowing.
Inspiration always seemed to come naturally to me. Only later did I realize it wasn’t a given; it would always find me at my desk, searching for it. As Pablo Picasso said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself recently that has really helped you?
Recently, I’ve learned to embrace patience—a quality I’ve always struggled with. By nature, I’m pretty impatient, and in my work, that has often translated to delivering a lot, delivering fast, and pushing myself to the limit. Over time, I’ve started to truly appreciate that great design takes time—sometimes uncomfortably more time than expected. It takes time to get the details right, to consider every angle, and to go that extra mile to create something truly outstanding. This shift has been transformative, reminding me that excellence often requires stepping back, slowing down, and giving the process the time it deserves.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received in your design career?
Early in my career, I received plenty of advice that I, as a properly rebellious junior, successfully ignored. Luckily, I was so obsessed with design that I was learning a lot—and fast. Inspiration always seemed to come naturally to me. Only later did I realize it wasn’t a given; it would always find me at my desk, searching for it. As Pablo Picasso said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”
Another great piece of advice came from my brother, who taught me so much: “Never use components while you’re exploring in Figma. Break the design apart and play with it until it feels right.” Working in a messy way, allowing yourself to go beyond expected layouts, can often lead to magic.
What else should we know about you, MARINA?
Work is a huge part of who I am. Before becoming a designer, I loved to draw. Below, you can see some of my illustrations showcased on my first WordPress website built in 2015!
When I’m not working, you can find me playing tennis, enjoying a long walk with a podcast, or going for a run. I love meeting new humans, so feel free to reach out—let’s grab a virtual coffee!
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