My Hobbies

When I'm not designing interfaces or writing code, you'll often find me immersed in activities that fuel my creativity and curiosity. Photography is one of my greatest passions—I love capturing moments that tell stories, whether it's the play of light through city architecture or the subtle expressions of people in their natural environments. This hobby has significantly influenced my eye for composition and attention to detail in my professional work.

Reading occupies a significant portion of my free time. I'm drawn to science fiction and fantasy novels that transport me to different worlds, but I also enjoy non-fiction books on psychology, philosophy, and technology trends. Authors like Ursula K. Le Guin, Neal Stephenson, and Yuval Noah Harari have profoundly shaped my perspective on society and human nature. I maintain a physical bookshelf at home and use an e-reader for travel, always with at least two books in progress.

Cooking is both a creative outlet and a meditative practice for me. I enjoy experimenting with flavors from different cuisines, particularly Asian and Mediterranean dishes. There's something satisfying about following a recipe precisely and then improvising with spices and ingredients. Weekend cooking sessions often involve trying complex techniques like fermentation or sous vide, which also appeal to my methodical nature.

Gaming has been a constant companion since childhood, evolving from simple puzzle games to complex strategy and narrative-driven experiences. I appreciate games that challenge my problem-solving abilities or tell compelling stories. Indie games hold a special place in my heart for their innovative mechanics and artistic expression. Playing games has taught me valuable lessons about user experience design—the best games intuitively guide players without explicit instruction.

Hiking and outdoor exploration provide balance to my screen-heavy profession. I seek out trails that offer both physical challenge and visual rewards, often combining hikes with photography opportunities. These experiences ground me and remind me of the importance of simplicity and natural beauty—concepts I try to incorporate into my digital designs. The problem-solving aspects of navigation and route planning also appeal to my analytical side.

Learning new skills is a perpetual hobby of mine. Recently, I've been exploring music production using digital audio workstations, fascinated by the parallels between sound design and visual design. I'm also teaching myself basic principles of 3D modeling and animation, which complements my spatial reasoning abilities. These pursuits not only provide relaxation but also broaden my creative toolkit and inspire fresh approaches to familiar challenges.