S. Rayes🇮🇹

About S. Rayes

Senior Product Designer at Voodoo (BeReal)

👋 Hey there! I’m Rayes, Founder and Creative UX Director at BarcaCreative Studio, where design isn’t left to chance (or just AI). We believe great user experiences come from brains, hands, and heart, crafted by humans, loved by users.

That said, we’re not anti-AI. In fact, we use it strategically to help our clients grow, enhance their businesses, and push boundaries in ways that truly matter. AI is a tool, not a replacement for creativity.

But enough about that, let’s talk about you.

If you're a junior designer 🚀 or breaking into UX/UI, I’ve been where you are. I know how tricky it can be to navigate this field, and I’m here to help. Let’s chat about:

✅ Building and refining your portfolio ✅ Standing out in the design industry ✅ Crafting a strong resume ✅ Answering all your UX/UI questions ✅ Discussing real-world design strategies and insights

Whether you're looking for career guidance or just need an honest critique, I’d love to help. Let’s connect!

Expertise

Sessions with S. Rayes

• Level Up Your UX Career: Find Your Fit & Grow (45 min): Starting your first UX role or trying to understand where you fit in the industry? In this session, I’ll share practical insights from working across startups, corporate environments, and fast-moving product teams over the past several years. We can cover: - Adapting to your first UX/product design role - Understanding the differences between startups, agencies, and corporate teams - Working effectively with product managers and developers - Growing from junior to mid-level designer - Building confidence and avoiding common early-career mistakes - Finding your strengths and deciding whether to specialize or stay broad - Portfolio and career direction feedback This session is focused on actionable guidance, honest industry perspective, and helping you better understand how design teams actually operate in real-world environments. Whether you're entering UX for the first time or trying to navigate your next step, I’ll help you gain clarity and direction. For deeper portfolio reviews, long-term mentorship, or hands-on product/design support, we can discuss next steps separately.
• Thriving in Product Design (60 min): In this session, we can cover: - Portfolio & Resume Feedback - UX/UI Career Direction - Breaking Into Product Design or HMI UX - Freelancing & Personal Branding - Working With Startups and Clients - Remote Work & Productivity - Overcoming Creative Blocks and Self-Doubt This is a practical mentoring session focused on clarity, actionable feedback, and real industry insights based on my experience working with startups and global teams. Whether you're a junior designer looking for direction or a mid-level designer trying to level up, I’ll help you identify your next steps and opportunities for growth. For deeper ongoing support, long-term mentorship, or hands-on product/design work, we can discuss next steps separately.
• Breaking into Design (30 min): Are you looking to start a career in design? I'm here to help! Here's what I'll offer: - Personalized Guidance: Tips and advice tailored to your goals and interests. - Resources: Recommendations for the best tools, courses, and materials to kickstart your journey. - Portfolio Review: Feedback on your work and suggestions for improvement. - Industry Insights: Understanding the current design landscape and trends. - Q&A: Answers to all your burning questions about getting started in design. - Networking Tips: How to connect with other designers and grow your professional network. Whether you're just curious or ready to dive in, let's chat and get you on the right path!

What mentees say

“Rayes is great. Easy to talk to, actually reviews your portfolio site and takes into account your experience. I highly recommend!”

“I had an outstanding session with my mentor, who truly exceeded my expectations. His amazing communication skills allowed me to share my thoughts freely, while his deep subject knowledge and exceptional problem-solving abilities provided clarity and direction. His motivation inspired me to strive for success. I highly recommend booking a session with him.”

“I've never had a talk as motivating and encouraging as this one. Definitely helped me feel less confused and doubtful about my career choices. S. Rayes was patient, kind, warm and talking to him about my work problems felt like a big load off my shoulders. Grateful for his time and guidance :)”