Hi there 😎,

here is a little more about me!

My name is Aksiniya (pronounced A’x’iniya) from a greek origin  meaning "welcome to the stranger".

For me, it all started when I discovered my passion of how our a thoughts and emotions affect our decision in everyday life. I find to be a people enthusiast which definitely explains my background in healthcare and degree in psychology. I have always had this creative fire that has led to me to express my abstract painting, exploring hidden gems, and my love for world culture. UX has united my love for people and my creative passion into an actual career.  My previous experience in retail, logistics, and healthcare have allowed me to tab into my into my empathetic nature to create holistic,  simple, enjoyable user-centered designs and develop a deeper understanding of how visual communication can bridge the connection between users and the digital experience.

The aspect of this process that I enjoy the most is the UX research. I am delighted that the role uses quantitative and qualitative research to create products that solve users’ needs. This is what first sparked my interest in Product Design. I love to analyze challenging problems and introduce creative solutions to the users’ problems.

This technological environment combines my hard skills in design, analytical and critical thinking with my soft skills in creativity and emotional intelligence. This allows me to enrich peoples’ lives. The possibilities for creating in the digital world are limitless.

Little fun facts about me:

Originally from Bulgaria, I spent the majority of my childhood in Sarasota, Florida. I then spent a few years in Denver, Colorado, and recently moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.

I love to get lost in my kitchen experimenting with new recipes.

I like to travel all over the world, next on my list is Switzerland!

I enjoy reading different genres, as long as they are not scary. I am currently reading Think Again by Adam Grant and Lore by A. Bracken.

I like to hike and discover hidden pathways, play chess and challenge my inner "Queens Gambit"

I love to run, compete in marathons, and meet fellow runners.

I listen to podcasts because I like to be proven wrong. My current play list includes UX Cake, Zero to Travel and Bigger Pockets.

Interesting Bulgarian Tradition

The March “ Baba Marta” Tradition

“Every year on 1st of March, Bulgarian people celebrate a centuries-old tradition called the day of Baba Marta (Baba means ‘Grandma’ and Marta means ‘March’), related to sending off the winter and welcoming the approaching spring. On that day and a few days afterwards, Bulgarians exchange and wear the so-called “Martenitsas” – decorative pieces of red and white twisted threads, symbolizing health and happiness and a lucky charm against evil spirits. The white is a symbol of purity, innocence, beauty, and joy. The red is associated with health, vitality, fertility, and bravery.

As the tradition, people wear Martenitsas only during the month of March, the end of which is usually associated with the first signs of spring – seeing a stork or a fruit tree in blossom. After that people can tie them on a blossoming tree for fertility thus giving the tree health and luck, which the person wearing the Martenitsa enjoyed while wearing it.

The custom of wearing Martenitsa is probably one of the most interesting Bulgarian traditions. According to one of the many legends, this tradition is associated with the founding of the Bulgarian state in 681 AD. The first martenitsa was made by Ahinora, the wife of Khan Asparuh (the founder of Bulgaria) in the second half of the seventh century, when Asparuh crossed the Danube and found the Bulgarian lands. Ahinora, while waiting for her husband, decided to send him wishes for good health and prosperity. She tied a twisted white and red thread to the leg of a swallow and send the bird to deliver the message for health and love.”

All text credits belong to : Baba Marta Tradition