Cristina Domínguez: Professional, mother, award-winner at the LAUS, and student at LABASAD
Driven by her desire to learn, Cristina shows that a passion for knowledge can overcome any challenge, successfully balancing work, motherhood, and studies.
Cristina Domínguez represents a story of perseverance, a passion for learning, and triumph over obstacles. At the age of forty, she decided to embark on an academic journey that many would consider challenging, especially given her circumstances: as a marketing professional, a mother, and a student in the Online Master’s in Web and App Design: UX/UI at LABASAD. Despite the challenges, her effort was rewarded not only with valuable knowledge but also with a prestigious professional recognition: the 2024 LAUS Award in the Aporta category for her project “ALISON,” an app that promotes equal representation in the consumption of films and series.
For Cristina, enrolling in this Master’s programme was not a premeditated decision. Although she had always wanted to continue her studies in design, the everyday responsibilities of life often got in the way. However, an unexpected proposal from her partner gave her the push she needed. “It was such a crazy moment that maybe that’s what made me think, ‘one more thing, one less thing…’,” Cristina recalls. This impulse marked the beginning of a journey that combined her self-taught passion for design with an emerging field like UX/UI, which she believed was essential for adapting to the current demands of the industry.
The journey wasn’t easy, and Cristina faced numerous challenges in balancing her daily life with her studies. When she started the Master’s programme, her son, Alejo, was barely nine months old. Cristina and her partner relied on daycare and the help of family members so she could attend her classes twice a week. Despite this support, fatigue and the need to constantly find balance between various aspects of her life remained persistent challenges. Nevertheless, her determination was stronger still:
“Because of my personality, I didn’t see an option to leave it halfway through. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do a Master’s, something totally unfamiliar to me and something I would never have bet on,” Cristina shares.
Cristina describes her experience in the Master’s programme as both fun and enriching. Surrounded by much younger classmates, she quickly felt integrated. “I felt comfortable in my role of ‘hello, I’m 20 years older than you’,” she says with humour. The diversity in the classroom and the sense of camaraderie provided her with a unique experience. Amid laughter and mutual support, Cristina bonded with students like Eskai, a talented designer with whom she shared views and formed a special friendship. One of her greatest achievements was mastering Figma, a crucial tool for UX and collaborative design. “I learned to use the blessed Figma, a wonderful tool,” she says enthusiastically.
During the Master’s programme, Cristina was introduced to the LAUS Awards through classes that showcased award-winning projects as inspiration. So, when she received the LAUS Bronze Award in the Aporta category for her project “ALISON,” she thought that perhaps her work would one day serve as an example for other students. This recognition not only validated her effort but also the message of her app, which promotes a more equitable and reflective consumption of films and series, based on the Bechdel Test. “It was like knowing that my project made sense,” Cristina says with satisfaction.
However, this achievement also brought an internal challenge: imposter syndrome. “You could say I have ‘another Master’s’ in imposter syndrome,” she jokes. For Cristina, receiving the award was both exciting and a confirmation that her effort had been worthwhile:
“When I was recognised with that award, it was very emotional. It was the confirmation of what I had thought when I was feeling overwhelmed: ‘you’re worth a lot, you’re making an effort, this is for you’.”
For those facing obstacles and feeling that time or circumstances are not on their side, Cristina has a clear message: organisation, support, and genuine motivation. “The key is organisation, asking for help when you need it, and really finding a motivation,” she emphasises. For her, the Master’s programme was an enriching experience and an achievement she didn’t expect at this point in her life:
“Honestly, before thinking about a career future, what really inspired me was seeing myself as an educated woman who had achieved this seemingly without need, and when I didn’t expect anything more from the academic field.”
She has just finished the Master’s programme and already showcased her work at the Brut! festival, invited by LABASAD to share her experience and project with an audience of students and design professionals. Now, Cristina looks to the future with new goals. Her objective is to find a job opportunity where she can apply her knowledge and dive into the world of UX/UI, ready to challenge herself once again.
Cristina’s story is the embodiment of the phrase “do it, and if you’re scared, do it scared.” With courage, determination, and a touch of humour, Cristina demonstrates that it is always possible to pursue our dreams, and that every achievement, big or small, can be the result of bravery and persistence.
If you’d like to learn more about LABASAD and our Online Master’s in Web and App Design: UX/UI, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. We are here to help you take the next step in your professional career and discover new opportunities in the world of digital design.