Say hello to Yaara Segal, senior UI Designer! We chatted about everything from what it takes to be a UI designer at IXL to Yaara’s music preferences. (Hint: There’s a Balkan singer you should add to your playlist!)
The Basics
Name and title: Yaara Segal, Senior UI Designer
Has been at IXL for: 1 year
Hometown and current city: From Israel. Currently lives in San Mateo, Calif.
Life at IXL
Why did you join IXL?
As soon as I learned about IXL, it became my dream to work here. I’m a UI designer, so I design pages, banners, websites, emails—and IXL connects with the design side of me that likes things that are really colorful, happy, and fun. I just thought, “This is me. This is totally me.”
What do you do at IXL? Give us a taste of what a typical day at work is like for you.
I start the day with an update with all the other designers. We talk about what projects we worked on yesterday, what we’re going to work on today, and availability for future projects. This way I know whether I’m going to be working on something like a membership page or emails or icons. At this moment I’m working on a page for IXL case studies. In the afternoon I take a break with my small coffee group—we go and sit next to the wonderful coffee machine and get a chance to sit and catch up!
What skills/qualities does it take to do your job?
It’s important to be a good, experienced designer and know how to work on certain software—Photoshop, Illustrator, some people work on Sketch. Some of us have illustration backgrounds, so it’s nice we can use that here. And here at IXL, you should be enthusiastic. Designers should really love what they do because it shows in your work. You should also have patience for collaborating, for creating multiple iterations of something.
Life beyond IXL
How many languages do you speak?
I speak Hebrew and English. I want to learn Spanish, French, Italian. I can sing in Arabic but I don’t really understand anything I’m saying!
Tell me about someone you admire.
I really admire my mom because she had to deal with a lot of rough situations. She is such a strong woman and I want to be like her.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I have a four-year-old, so I don’t have a lot of free time! I’m actually happy just to come home and put some music on so we can dance together. I’m also a T.V. freak—Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, The Americans, Girls. When my son goes to sleep, my husband I will watch an episode or two of anything.
Just for Fun
Do you listen to music while you work?
The only time I don’t listen to music is when I have to read, but otherwise it’s music all the time. If I have to really concentrate it will be music without words; if I have to wake myself up it’s going to be loud music—I have a playlist for every moment! One of my favorite bands is The Whitest Boy Alive. And if you like Balkan music, there’s a really nice artist named Shantel.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I know how to make felt fabric dolls—it’s not so much a hidden talent, but I like doing it!
Let’s play “this or that”! Answer as quickly as you can:
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Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate.
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Dogs or cats? Dogs.
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Phone call or text? Text.
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Beach or snow? Beach.
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Early bird or night owl? Night owl.
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Coffee or tea? Coffee.
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Roller coaster or Ferris Wheel? Coffee! [Laughs] Okay, Ferris Wheel.
Want to join Yaara’s team? We have designer openings! Apply here.
