From Airbnb Host to UX Designer: My Journey into Tech, Design, and Creative Exploration

Have you ever tried using an app that feels more like a puzzle than a tool? One of those apps that turns something simple—like booking a room or ordering food—into an obstacle course? Yeah, I’ve been there too, stuck in a digital maze, wondering why some apps seem designed to confuse rather than help.

Back in my IT days, I’d stare at lines of code and think, Why is this so hard for people to use? It just didn’t make sense to me. Technology is supposed to simplify things, not complicate them, right?

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I realized that I didn’t have to just build apps or write code. I could make technology actually work for people, instead of making them feel like they were fighting against it.

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Hi, I’m Yassir Hanzife—UX Designer and Webflow Developer

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My journey into the world of tech started long before I discovered UX design. Back in 2008, I was just a kid fascinated by Photoshop and the endless possibilities of the digital world. I’d lose myself in hours of tinkering, trying to figure out how to make cool designs. At the same time, I was diving into gaming and following tech creators like MKBHD, who made technology seem so accessible and exciting.

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But despite my early love for tech, it wasn’t a straight path to UX design. In fact, it was something completely unexpected that pushed me in that direction—hosting on Airbnb.

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How Hosting on Airbnb Changed My Perspective on Design

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In 2014, I became an Airbnb host. At first, it was just a way to earn some extra cash. But as I started welcoming guests from all over the world, I realized something important: creating a seamless experience wasn’t just about having a nice apartment. It was about designing an environment—both physical and digital—that felt welcoming, intuitive, and easy to navigate. It was about putting myself in the guest’s shoes and thinking, How can I make this as easy as possible for them?

During this time, I watched Airbnb completely transform its platform. Between 2014 and 2017, they went from a somewhat clunky interface to a sleek, user-friendly app. It wasn’t just about making the booking process easier; it was about reshaping the way people connected across the world. As someone hosting during that time, I witnessed firsthand how small design changes could have a huge impact on user experience.

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This was a game-changer for me. I started thinking about how I could apply that same principle to tech and apps—how design could simplify, guide, and improve the user’s experience. So, while I was still pursuing my Computer Science degree, I decided to give UX design a shot.

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My First Freelance UX Job: A Humble Beginning

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By 2017, while pursuing my Computer Science degree, I landed my first freelance job in UX design to support my education. That experience opened my eyes to the world of user-centered design, and I realized how much I enjoyed crafting digital experiences. Inspired by both Airbnb’s journey and my own growing passion for UX, I decided to combine creativity with technology by building my first website for my Airbnb listings. While it wasn’t the prettiest site at the time, its functionality and user experience were solid foundations I’m still proud of today.

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You can actually still check it out—it’s called Apartment Moulay. Looking back, it was a small project, but it gave me the confidence to dive deeper into the world of UX. The more I learned, the more I loved the idea of crafting digital experiences that felt intuitive and human-centered.

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Bridging Creativity and Technology

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Fast forward to today, and my career has taken me across a wide variety of projects—everything from SaaS apps to AI/VR startups. Working with international clients has taught me to wear many hats, from project manager to developer, while constantly honing my collaboration and communication skills.

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But no matter the project or industry, one thing remains constant: my focus on the user. Whether it’s a complex XR project or a simple mobile app, I always come back to this question: How can I make this experience seamless and enjoyable?

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Now, as a UX designer and Webflow developer, I blend creativity with technology to create digital products that truly serve the people using them. And when I’m not designing, I’m sharing my insights through content creation—whether it's vlogs, tutorials, or posts about design and tech.

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Let’s Connect!

If you’re as passionate about creating user-friendly, seamless digital experiences as I am, let’s chat! You can find me on LinkedIn, my YouTube channel, or on my website, where I share case studies, design insights, and a peek into my daily life.