The GitHub Podcast Prioritizing empathy and taking risks to build Chakra UI
Jul 27, 2021
Segun Adebayo, the creator of Chakra UI and a design enthusiast originally from Nigeria, shares his inspiring journey from informal graphic designer to developing a leading React library. He emphasizes the importance of empathy in tech, both for users and team dynamics. Segun discusses coping with stress through laughter and the value of engaging a 'minimum viable audience' for early feedback on products. His passion for communication and design shines through as he reflects on the future of digital innovation and community-driven projects.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Overcoming Access Limits with Friends
- Segun overcame limited access to computers in Nigeria by borrowing friends' laptops to practice design software.
- He devoted long hours to learning Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator despite these constraints.
Building a Design System for Speed
- Segun noticed engineers took two to three times longer to code UI designed by him.
- He built a dummy design system to help speed up development, which the team liked and adopted.
Empathy for Colleagues Matters
- Segun realized empathy should extend to colleagues, not just users or the business.
- Understanding developers' struggles can help create smoother collaboration and better tools.