From Chemical Engineering to Creative Design: Ban’s Inspiring BYOL Journey

I am continuously inspired by the incredible journeys of BYOL students—how they dive into the world of design, embrace new challenges, and discover creative outlets they never knew they had. 

Today, I am thrilled to spotlight Ban, a chemical engineer turned budding designer whose passion for learning and creativity is as strong as her love for coffee and Disney mugs. From a technical career in Budapest to exploring the limitless possibilities of design, Ban’s story is one of perseverance, discovery, and finding joy in the creative process. Let’s dive into Ban’s journey and discover how BYOL became a part of her daily spark!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

My name is Ban, I’m 28 years old, a self-proclaimed coffee addict, and absolutely love food—I’m even a pretty good cook myself! I come from a family of academics, so my background has always been quite technical. I followed in their footsteps and became a chemical engineer, which also gave me the "valuable" habit of overthinking everything down to the molecular level.

I’m originally Jordanian but have been living in Hungary, specifically Budapest, for the past seven years. Despite my best efforts — let’s just say my Hungarian vocabulary is limited to "hello," "thank you," and "coffee, please."

My free time is usually spent binge-watching series, scrolling through TikTok, or playing cozy games on my Nintendo Switch. I’m also a huge book lover with a never-ending TBR list. I absolutely love to travel, exploring new places and cultures, and collecting memories (and a few souvenirs) along the way! Random fact: I’ve got a massive collection of Disney mugs that seems to multiply with every occasion. People definitely know I’m a Disney fan.  

Tell us about your career path 

Growing up, I didn’t exactly have a "dream job" in mind. I did well in everything but didn’t have any standout talents, unless you count being really good at avoiding the spotlight (no musical or artistic genius here!). When it came time to pick a university, I went into full "research mode" (I’m definitely more of a planner than a risk-taker) —and I'm so glad I did! My university gave me the opportunity to learn German, spend an exchange year in Germany where I studied and worked, and immerse myself in a whole new world of cultures and perspectives. I majored in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering—because why not choose the hardest path possible? (Hey, difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations, right?)

Then came Hungary! I was awarded a scholarship to continue my MSc there, but COVID had other plans—labs were closed, thesis defenses were delayed, and I was pretty sure I was living in a dramatic reality show at one point. I honestly never thought I'd have to toss my cap via zoom. After finishing my studies, I was hired as a data analyst, where I spent most of my time creating spreadsheets. Not exactly the "dream job" I had in mind, but it was definitely a crash course in Excel. So, I decided it was time for a change—cue dramatic exit music! I’m now moving to Germany for a new job opportunity, ready to embrace the unknown (and hopefully less spreadsheet-heavy) future!

How did you find yourself at BYOL?

I’ve always had this fun habit of biting off more than I can chew—especially when it comes to learning new things. One night, I was in full "I need to learn ALL the skills" mode. I dove into a rabbit hole of Google, YouTube, and random articles. That’s when I stumbled upon BYOL, and let’s just say it was love at first click! One of my best (and surprisingly productive) late-night decisions.

I have a bit of a habit of starting things with tons of enthusiasm—whether it's learning the piano, picking up a new language, diving into crochet, or even taking dance classes. The problem? I often don’t stick with them for long. But then, BYOL came along, and something clicked! Unlike my other ventures, BYOL actually stuck with me. It’s become a regular part of my daily routine, and I actually look forward to it. Who would’ve thought I’d finally find something that keeps me coming back for more?

For a while, I was stuck in the routine of daily life—work, repeat, work, repeat—and honestly, I’d lost touch with that spark of excitement and passion I used to have. But when BYOL came into the picture and brought back the fun and passion I was craving, and now it’s become a refreshing part of my day that makes me feel alive again!

What is your favorite BYOL class? Why do you like this BYOL class?

My favorite BYOL class has to be the Illustrator Essentials Course—it was the first course I ever took in my design journey, and it really set the stage for everything that followed.

What I loved about this course was that it took me from a complete beginner to feeling confident with the basics of Illustrator. I went from feeling like a design newbie to actually creating things that looked professional. The course is incredibly hands-on, with lots of practical exercises that helped me really understand the tools and how to use them effectively. Every lesson felt like a mini victory.

Another reason I love it is because the teaching style made the whole process feel so accessible. He broke everything down in a way that made it easy to follow, even when the topics felt complex. Dan doesn’t just teach; he makes you excited to learn. He’s the kind of instructor who makes you feel like you can tackle anything, no matter how challenging. Plus, I really appreciated the constructive feedback—it wasn’t just "good job" but detailed insights that helped me improve and grow. That feedback made me realize, "Hey, I actually can do this!"

The course didn’t just teach me the technical skills; it also gave me the confidence to experiment and think creatively. It was the first time I felt encouraged to trust my own design instincts. Honestly, this class was not just about learning Illustrator—it’s about discovering what’s possible when you have the right tools and the right mindset. That’s why this class has become a cornerstone of my design journey!

You mentioned that growing your creative skillset has given you a new hobby you are proud of. Can you share more about how this new hobby has shaped/enriched your life? 

Growing my creative skillset through BYOL has unlocked a new hobby I’m really proud of—design. It’s something I never expected to be into, but now it feels like a natural part of me. Design has become my way to express myself. I’ve always had a creative side, (though my past designs only consisted of perfectly formatted lab reports and PowerPoint slides with very “inventive” bullet points). But now.. I can bring ideas to life through graphics, color, and typography. This hobby has shaken up my routine in a good way. Instead of just going through the motions, I now set aside time each day to create, which feels so fulfilling. It gives me a real sense of accomplishment. Every time I finish a design, I feel proud, like “Wow, I did that!” (Although, I still battle imposter syndrome and wonder, "Am I really a designer, or did I just get lucky with a good color palette?") It’s also helped me become more mindful. When I’m designing, I’m fully focused, which is a nice change from scrolling mindlessly on TikTok for hours. Who knew I could be productive and creative at the same time? The best part? I’m always learning. Whether it’s a new technique or a fresh idea, this hobby keeps me excited and motivated. Design has opened up new doors for me. I’ve started exploring other creative areas like photography and writing, and it’s been amazing to see how they connect. Overall, this hobby has enriched my life, giving me confidence, purpose, and a creative outlet I can truly be proud of.

What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a creative hobby?

Start small and experiment: Don’t feel pressured to master everything at once. Try to find what excites you and stick with it.

• Be patient with yourself: Creativity takes time to develop. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn along the way.

• Create regularly: Set aside time to practice and make something, even if it’s just for fun. Consistency helps you improve.

• Find inspiration everywhere: Observe the world around you, from nature to art and people. Inspiration can come from unexpected places.

• Don’t compare yourself to others: Focus on your own progress and enjoy the process. Every creator has their own unique journey.

• Use tools and resources: Take advantage of online tutorials and books to learn new techniques and expand your knowledge.

• Make it personal: Infuse your own style and personality into your work. It will make the creative process more meaningful and enjoyable.

What is next for you? What are some future goals you have?

My first goal is to dive into advanced Photoshop and Illustrator courses. I want to get really comfortable with these tools before I move on to Premiere Pro, InDesign, and After Effects. I am taking small steps towards being a designer, I’m working on improving my skills bit by bit. Slow and steady wins the race :) 

I would also like to keep designing for friends. Right now, I’m having a lot of fun creating posters for friends and colleagues—things like baby showers, wedding invites, Valentine’s cards, and birthday cards. I’d love to keep doing this, as it’s a great way to build my personal portfolio and have fun along the way.

Anything else you would like to share that we should have asked you?

A massive thank you to Dan – He’s an absolute legend! I honestly don’t know how he does it, but every lesson feels like a fun chat with a good friend who just happens to be a design genius. It’s rare to find someone who not only knows their stuff but also makes you excited to learn it. His energy and teaching style make the whole process so enjoyable!

A huge shoutout to the BYOL team – You all do an incredible job keeping this community thriving and alive. The work you put in makes it such a supportive, inclusive place, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.

Thank you to my amazing colleagues – The encouragement, feedback, and guidance I’ve received from everyone in this wonderful community have truly made a world of difference. It’s so refreshing to be surrounded by people who genuinely care about helping each other grow.

A special thanks to Pedro – He might not realize it, but he played a huge role in helping me step out of my comfort zone. His support and example helped me become more confident in sharing my work, and for that, I’m really grateful!

Thank you so much, Ban! All of us at BYOL are looking forward to supporting you on your design journey.