Monika Rubov 8/23/25 Monika Rubov 8/23/25

Together is more than the sum of its parts

Seeing G2A Plus go from design concepts to a campaign with Robert Lewandowski is a proud moment. Every detail — from benefits to interface — is built for smarter choices, better prices, and more value. 🔐💸g2a.com/plus

You can surround yourself with talented and skilled people, but without trust and authenticity, a team becomes just a collection of specialists. UX reminds me every day that the real strength lies in what we create together.

I’m not afraid to ask questions — even uncomfortable ones — because I know that without them, there is no real growth. I connect data with intuition, often leading me to insights that raw numbers alone cannot provide. The ability to blend analytical thinking with empathy is one of my most valuable traits.

In relationships, I bring attentiveness. I notice small things that others might overlook, but that build the sense of being seen and understood. My words can be both a place of rest and a spark for action.

I carry courage within me — even when I don’t feel it. Courage to make tough decisions, to say “no” when necessary, and to be myself even if it means not everyone will understand. While I’m highly independent, I also know the value of being part of something bigger — a team, a project, a relationship. What I bring isn’t just the completion of a task but a sense of meaning and soul.

I am always in motion, always searching. And even though searching can be tiring, it is my greatest strength. It pushes me forward, keeps me moving, and makes me want to know, understand, feel, and create more.

When designing for people, independence matters, but it’s not enough. Collaboration is the foundation. It’s more than dividing tasks — it’s listening and understanding that each perspective can change the entire project for the better.

I value moments when you need to step back to see the whole picture. And those when you lean in to notice details that seem small but carry enormous meaning. I love when ideas meet at the table and start to take on a life of their own.

Being part of a team also means being authentic. You can learn perfect responses, wear professional masks, and use flawless words — but none of that replaces sincerity.

People sense when something is genuine and when it’s just an act. At work, just like in life, I prefer openness — even if it means showing my weaker sides. That’s the only way trust can exist. Without trust, collaboration is only an illusion.

Working together also means trust that someone will pick up the thread I’ve started and carry it forward. Trust that if I don’t know something, I can ask — and if I do know, I can share. In a good team, there’s no “mine” or “yours.” There’s shared responsibility and shared outcomes.

UX teaches humility. I can know processes, tools, and methods, and still never hold the full answer on my own. I need conversations, exchanges, variables, analytics, and even constructive disagreements. Sometimes discussions are long and draining — but it’s there that the best solutions are born.

In UX, we rarely work in a vacuum. Every project is the result of many roles, skills, and perspectives.

One example is G2A Plus, a concept created by the business team. At the execution stage, I worked as a UX designer on interface and user experience elements. Later, marketing scaled the project and told its story through a campaign. The result was a cohesive ecosystem — from product solutions to video messaging — where my work is also visible.

Maybe that’s why I believe so strongly that in projects, we have to stay human. With empathy, curiosity, and the will to understand others — no matter what role we play.

In the end, when I look at the outcome, I feel this one simple truth: I was part of something bigger than myself. And that feeling alone makes it all worth it.

◼

If you found this article helpful and informative, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee! Your support helps me to continue creating valuable content and improving the user experience for people around the world.

Just click on the link to buy me a coffee and show your appreciation.

Knowledge Base | Buy Me a Coffee

Thank you for your support!

Monika Rubov 10/27/24 Monika Rubov 10/27/24

My journey from on-demand freelance UX to a full-time contract: lessons learned

Exactly a year ago, I switched from freelancing to a full-time contract. It was a big change, but no matter the role—freelancer or contract employee—one thing remains crucial: working with people and balancing different business needs. Over the years, as a UX/UI designer, I’ve had the chance to work with various types of clients—from cultural institutions and small companies in different industries to large organizations. Each role brought different experiences and challenges that help me better understand the diversity of UX work today. In this article, I’ll share my career path, key principles of collaboration, and lessons learned from working in different environments.

My career path has taught me that the key to success is effective collaboration, regardless of the type of work arrangement. Each role has its own challenges and benefits, but striving towards a common goal and solving problems together are always essential. The principles I follow—“separate the person from the problem” and “we’re all playing towards the same goal”—are crucial for creating value for both users and the business.

Whether working for a large organization, a small business, or an NGO, my career has taught me that UX isn’t just about designing for users; it’s about understanding the context in which I operate. In the case of business clients, this means balancing user needs with business goals, knowing that without a strong business foundation, there wouldn’t be any products or services to design for.

When working with NGOs or cultural institutions, the focus shifts more towards understanding the broader impact and context, where user experience serves not just to achieve business objectives, but to create meaningful connections and drive social or cultural value.

In either case, creating value means continuously finding the right balance between different priorities and always striving for solutions that benefit both the organization and its users.

First steps – the world of freelance

Starting out as a freelancer, I had to learn to manage everything on my own—from finding clients to delivering projects and handling finances. I worked with a variety of clients: small businesses, cultural institutions, and individual contractors. Each project required flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to the specific industry.

The biggest challenge was finding a balance between independence and collaboration. While the flexibility to set my own terms was a big plus, working solo often meant limited opportunities for exchanging ideas with others. To navigate this, I adopted the principle: 'Separate the person from the problem,' which helped me address challenges objectively and maintain healthy client relationships. I focused on keeping communication factual and constructive, even when delivering difficult news.

Full-time contract – new challenges and broader collaboration

Taking on a full-time contract was a significant change—from being an on-demand freelancer to a full-time collaboration with a single client, within a large, diverse team. This shift opened up a whole new dimension of work, where daily collaboration with marketing, analytics, and development teams became essential.

In a large organization, I learned to build subteams—smaller groups working on specific projects, where each member contributed unique skills. Working on complex projects required focusing on the principle: “We’re all playing towards the same goal,” which meant striving to achieve UX objectives together, regardless of different skill sets.

Lessons learned – working with different types of clients

Working with various clients taught me that every collaboration requires adapting to the specific needs of the organization:

Individual clients and small businesses: working for small companies required flexibility and a quick response to changing needs. Close collaboration and open communication were essential, often requiring intensive interaction.

Cultural institutions: collaborating with cultural organizations taught me the importance of understanding the context and user needs. These projects often had a more complex communication structure and required a deeper understanding of the audience.

Large organizations: working for a large digital platform came with more complex projects and the need for coordination across different teams. Daily collaboration with experts from various fields and building shared solutions helped me better understand how UX impacts the entire organization.

The role of business in design – balancing company and user needs

Working in e-commerce, I face the daily challenge of reconciling different interests. On the one hand, marketing and business needs must be met—sales campaigns, promotions, and strategies to boost conversions are key to company growth. On the other hand, as a UX designer, I play the role of a “user advocate,” ensuring their needs and expectations are met. Balancing these priorities requires flexibility and the ability to make decisions that serve both the business and the users.

Sometimes, the goals of users and the business don’t align. For example, marketing might prefer more aggressive campaigns, using pop-ups to engage users, but from a UX perspective, it’s important that these actions aren’t too intrusive. The key is finding a balance that allows the company to reach its goals while ensuring a positive user experience.

Mentoring and development programs

One of the benefits of working on a contract is having access to company development programs. In freelancing, professional growth was my own responsibility, but at long term contract, I had access to mentors and dedicated programs that accelerated my growth. Working on long-term projects also allowed me to explore UX strategies more deeply.

Work-life balance – what I’ve learned

Switching from freelancing to a full-time contract helped me better organize my work time. While freelancing offered more freedom, it was often unpredictable, with work sometimes happening outside of regular hours. The contract brought stability and more efficient project planning, allowing me to manage my time better and find a balance between work and personal life.

What’s next? My future plans

A year with a full-time contract has shown me the value of long-term teamwork and managing professional relationships. I plan to keep exploring complex UX problems, developing my skills, and aiming for a leadership role where I can effectively foster collaboration in multidisciplinary teams.