In this episode, listen to a conversation with Cătălina Manea, a Staff Systems Designer at Splunk and founder of Unhinged Design, to discuss design systems, AI, creativity, and what it takes to build a meaningful career in design.
Key takeaways
A design system is a contract — not just a component library. It’s an agreement between design, engineering, and product teams that creates alignment and consistency.
User experience is bigger than the interface. Every interaction with a brand communicates something about who that organization is and what it stands for.
AI won’t replace great designers. While AI can generate outputs quickly, it can’t replace critical thinking, design intent, strategy, and the human perspective behind meaningful experiences.
Research should be discovery, not validation. The goal isn’t to defend our designs—it’s to learn, uncover insights, and challenge assumptions.
Make design human again. In a world of increasingly generic portfolios, products, and AI-generated content, bringing your personality, perspective, and creativity to your work matters more than ever.
Stay curious. Side projects, communities, experimentation, and continuous learning often tell a stronger story about who you are than your day-to-day job title.
Transcript
Intro
Marc:
Welcome to another episode of UX Pathways. Today, I’m joined by Catalina Manea. Catalina, how are you today?
Catalina:
Hey Marc, thank you so much for the invitation. I appreciate it. I’m happy to be here.
Marc:
I’m excited to have you on the podcast. Your career has taken several interesting turns, and I’m looking forward to hearing your story. To start, could you tell us about your current role and your journey into design?
From Graphic Design to Design Systems
Catalina:
I’m currently a Staff Systems Designer. I’ve been working in design systems for quite some time now, although I stumbled into the field around 2017.
Before that, I worked in graphic design. Eventually, I became bored with it and accidentally found my way into web design, which was a natural progression at the time. From there, I discovered design systems.
I’ve always been fascinated by engineering. At one point, I even tried becoming a developer, but I quickly learned that JavaScript and I were not destined for a long-term relationship. I struggled with syntax-heavy programming languages, though I enjoy more operational ways of thinking.
Looking back, I think design systems appealed to me because they allowed me to bridge the gap between design and engineering. I’ve intentionally shaped my career around that intersection. Around 2020, things really began to take off, and I’ve worked in remote environments ever since.
What Is a Design System?
Marc:
There’s a lot of confusion around design systems. How do you define one?
Catalina:
A design system is not a Figma kit.
If I had to define it simply, I’d call it a contract.
It’s a contract between design, engineering, product, and all the teams involved in building digital products. It’s a way to align people around agreed-upon standards and decisions.
A design system can include design tokens, components, patterns, templates, guidelines, and governance processes. Every system is different, but fundamentally it’s a living agreement that helps teams work together more effectively.
Marc:
I love that definition. I’ve heard people describe design systems as repositories or libraries, but calling it a contract gives it a deeper meaning. It implies commitment and shared ownership.
Catalina:
Exactly. And just like any contract, it evolves. You can amend it, update it, and refine it as the organization changes.
Defining User Experience
Marc:
User experience is another term that’s used everywhere. How do you define UX today, and when did you realize its importance?
Catalina:
Honestly, every time I use a frustrating website or product, I’m reminded why UX matters.
Years ago, I viewed user experience primarily as interface design and usability. But over time, I’ve realized that’s far too narrow.
Today, I think of UX as part of a much broader customer experience ecosystem. Every interaction someone has with a brand communicates something about what that brand stands for.
It’s not just about whether a task can be completed. It’s also about what the experience says, how it’s communicated, and whether the message is articulated effectively through content, visuals, color, imagery, and interaction design.
As I’ve started exploring entrepreneurship, I’ve become even more interested in the entire customer journey rather than focusing solely on product interfaces.
Adapting to Change and Industry Uncertainty
Marc:
Your career has evolved significantly. How have you adapted to change?
Catalina:
My answer isn’t particularly glamorous, but I’ve become very pragmatic.
I’ve spent years working in Silicon Valley environments, and one thing I’ve learned is that instability is common. Layoffs seem to happen regularly, whether you’re in a startup or a large company.
Eventually, I stopped allowing macro-level instability to dictate how I felt about my career.
Instead, I focus on the microculture around me—the immediate team, the people I work with, and whether the environment helps me grow as a designer.
Today, I look for places where I can perform at my best, continue learning, and align with a long-term vision of who I want to become professionally.
That’s also one reason I’ve become interested in building my own projects and creating environments where I have more control.
AI, Design, and the Current Hype Cycle
Marc:
We’ve seen many technology trends over the years—big data, blockchain, and now AI. What hype should we be paying attention to?
Catalina:
The AI hype absolutely matters, and we shouldn’t ignore it. I use AI extensively in my own work.
However, the danger is that AI makes it easier to focus only on outcomes while ignoring the thinking behind the work.
AI generates surfaces. It can produce interfaces and designs quickly. But what often gets lost is the design intent, the reasoning, and the perspective that make good design meaningful.
I’m seeing this in portfolios. Many are beginning to look identical—same typography, same layouts, same descriptions, same visual patterns. Everything starts blending together.
That’s why I’m increasingly focused on customer experience and design intent. Good design isn’t just a screen. It’s a point of view.
Research, Bias, and Discovery
Marc:
You mentioned AI hiding things beneath the surface. That reminds me of redesign projects where the real problems don’t appear until users interact with the product.
Catalina:
Exactly.
Designers naturally develop confirmation bias toward their own work. We become attached to our designs because we’ve invested so much time and effort into them.
That’s one reason I no longer believe designers should always conduct research on their own projects. Dedicated researchers can often bring a more objective perspective.
Research and usability testing should be treated as discovery sessions, not opportunities to defend design decisions.
Too often, designers approach research looking for validation instead of insight.
We also need to think critically about methodology. Why are we conducting interviews instead of surveys? Why choose contextual inquiry over observational research? Why use AI or “vibe coding” for a particular problem?
The process shouldn’t be followed blindly. Every method should have a purpose.
Why AI Won’t Replace Good Designers
Catalina:
One of the biggest misconceptions today is that AI will replace designers.
My view is simple: if AI can completely replace your work, then you probably weren’t practicing design at its fullest depth.
Design involves strategy, critical thinking, communication, facilitation, research, systems thinking, and understanding people. AI can help with many of those activities, but it’s still a tool.
Used correctly, AI can make you a better designer. But it doesn’t replace the human judgment behind great design.
Advice for Aspiring Designers
Marc:
What advice would you give someone entering UX or transitioning into the field today?
Catalina:
First, don’t try to follow someone else’s exact path. No two careers are the same.
My biggest piece of advice is this:
Make design human again.
We’re seeing too much generic work. Too many people suppress parts of their personality because they believe corporations want them to fit a certain mold.
As a result, portfolios, products, and experiences often start looking the same.
The strongest designers are the ones who bring themselves into their work.
The second piece of advice is to stay curious.
Many of the companies that interviewed me were more interested in my personal projects than my day job. Personal projects demonstrate genuine passion and commitment.
Explore side projects. Volunteer. Join communities. Experiment.
Most importantly, don’t let corporate environments drain your enthusiasm.
Design is supposed to be fun.
If it stops being fun, that’s a signal that something needs to change.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Catalina:
One more thing I’d add is that curiosity requires psychological safety.
I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome throughout my career, and it’s something many designers experience.
You’ll always encounter people who seem more talented than you. Instead of letting that discourage you, use self-reflection to identify areas where you can improve.
Think of your career like an agile process. Regularly evaluate what’s working, what isn’t, and where you can grow.
Psychological safety isn’t just something organizations provide. It’s also something you cultivate through self-awareness and supportive relationships.
And if your workplace doesn’t create that environment, make time outside of work to nurture your creativity.
Marc:
How can people learn more about you?
Where to Connect with Catalina
Catalina:
You can find me on LinkedIn under Catalina Manea.
I’m also building a community called Unhinged Design, where we’re focused on honest conversations about design and cutting through corporate fluff.
That’s currently the main place where I’m sharing ideas, building community, and helping designers navigate the industry.
Closing
Marc:
Catalina, thank you for joining the podcast. There were so many valuable insights packed into this conversation—from design systems and research to AI and career growth.
Catalina:
Thank you for having me. I really appreciate the invitation.
Marc:
Thanks for joining us, and thanks to everyone listening to UX Pathways.
Leave a Reply