From Python to Product Design - How Mercy Benn Is Building a Career That Works
Missed our BTS Space with Mercy Benn-Itua? No wahala, we’ve recapped it just for you.
Mercy, fondly called the Davinci of Design, is a brilliant creative mind who's been trailblazing her way from coding and graphics into the competitive UK product design market. This article captures her insights on tech, design, networking, and career moves for those who missed the live session.
Catch the full replay here: Listen to the Twitter Space
Omo, You’re the Davinci of Design” - How It All Began
"I’ve always known I’d be in tech since secondary school."
Mercy’s tech journey started with two movies that inspired her to solve real-world problems through innovation. Her first big move? Enrolling in Aptech, where she studied Python, Machine Learning, and AI.
But her design story? That one had a plot twist.
After COVID-19 mellowed down in 2020, she attended a graphic design class, but CorelDRAW didn’t hit right. Fast forward to a UI/UX course during her diploma in software engineering, and her interest in product design was born. From Adobe XD to Figma, she taught herself by watching YouTube videos and building from scratch.
Bridging Design with Business Strategy
Mercy’s background in Business Intelligence makes her a standout designer. She’s not just focused on pretty interfaces, she designs with business goals in mind. "Being able to explain design decisions to stakeholders has made me excel. It also affects how I plan my personal life."
Knowing the “why” behind your designs? That’s a superpower. And Mercy wields it well.
Skills vs Software? Mercy Sets It Straight
"It’s skills o, it’s skills like mad."
Mercy emphasized that while tools like Figma or Adobe XD are great, the real sauce is in the skills. If you’ve got a solid foundation, you’ll thrive, even with the most complex tools.
And when it comes to career pivots? Mercy keeps it real:
"I’m not doing any project for passion right now. I do what’s in demand, and I research before making a move."
Pro Tip from Mercy: Build stability first. Then chase passion.
Breaking Into the UK Design Market
It wasn’t easy, but Mercy did it. Her secret? Networking and intentional exposure. "I make sure I’m in rooms where I can sell myself. Most of my retainers today are from conversations I had about what I do."
She also admits it’s easier to break into the US market than the UK. But her drive, people skills, and faith have opened doors. "I tell God I have bills to pay. I do my part, and somehow, things happen."
Don’t Miss the Full Conversation
Mercy dropped so many gems we couldn’t fit everything in here. To catch her full story, thoughts on the future of design, and tips for young creatives, check out the replay: Listen to the Full BTS Twitter Space
