Expert Talks with Hayk Grigoryan: Turning Students into UX Professionals

In this edition of Expert Talks, we sit down with Hayk Grigoryan, founder of UX Academy Armenia and long-time UX mentor. We discuss why “fix it later” is a costly myth, how discipline beats motivation in a fast-changing field, and why data should follow instinct before any design change. We also touch on building the first UX program in Armenia and what today’s students need to become confident professionals.

Academy Journey: Inspiration, Challenges, and Vision

What is a common misconception about UX that you wish more people understood?

One of the biggest misconceptions about UX is that you can just “fix it later.” I hear this all the time: “Let’s launch fast, we’ll improve the experience in the next version.”

In the product creation process, many people think that if they don’t concentrate on a better user experience, then in the future, they can improve it quickly and easily without spending any effort or time. Because of that, most products are born in this conception to put the user experience in the first place and deliver a better product experience than their competitors. For most services (real and digital) in the world, the UX design is very important. And when you put UX first, you don’t just make things easier, you create trust, loyalty, and a real advantage over competitors. Good UX is not optional. It’s the foundation of a product people actually want to use.

What inspired you to start UX Academy Armenia, and how has your background in design shaped the vision for it?

During my mentor career, I noticed that in Armenia, there was a lack of professional UX design programs where students could dive deeply into the field. While other design-related programs do a great job of introducing the basics, I saw a gap for something more specialized, a program dedicated to research, design systems, and real industry preparation. Over time, AI appeared and became an important part of the UX design processes. My background in design shaped the vision to create a practical, community-driven, and internationally aligned space where students can grow into well-rounded UX professionals. That vision became the foundation for the first UX education center in Armenia, UX Academy.

What were some of the biggest challenges in launching the Academy, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges was taking the risk. Starting the UX Academy meant building everything from scratch, from shaping the curriculum to creating the right environment for students. I had to learn and solve many cases along the way, while also continuing to mentor students directly. It wasn’t easy to balance being both a founder and a mentor, but it taught me resilience and focus. For me, leading UX Academy is not just a project; it’s both a great honor and a responsibility to shape the next generation of UX designers in Armenia.

Lessons from a UX Mentor

From your experience mentoring UX designers, what patterns or habits separate those who succeed in the field from those who struggle?

From mentoring UX designers over the years, I’ve noticed a clear difference between those who grow quickly in the field and those who struggle: discipline.

In my classes, I don’t just teach design skills; I mentor discipline as well. Our industry changes fast. New tools, methods, and technologies are appearing all the time, and it’s almost impossible to keep up without building strong habits. Every student has moments of laziness; it’s normal. But the ones who push through it are the ones who stick to a routine, stay consistent, and keep showing up.

I’ve seen students with real discipline transform into specialists much faster than others, simply because they put in the hours and kept learning even when it wasn’t easy. The truth is, motivation isn’t the starting point. Motivation comes after discipline.

How do you solve tricky UX design problems? Any useful methods to share?

When it comes to tricky UX design problems, my first instinct is to quickly spot where the experience feels wrong; that’s a skill I’ve built over the years. But instinct alone isn’t enough. Making changes based only on “feel” can be risky, and in some cases, it can even break the product.

That’s why I always turn to data. Without data, you can’t truly understand the problem or justify a solution. Data gives you clarity: it shows where users struggle, what needs fixing, and how changes actually perform. The process is simple: feel the problem, check the data, analyze it, and only then make the change.

Useberry in the Classroom

How has Useberry helped your students while learning? Can you share an example where it made a big difference?

We use Useberry in every usability testing lesson, and it’s become one of the students’ favorite parts of the course. For example, during one session, we noticed some issues with a mobile design flow. Instead of just pointing it out, we ran a full usability test in Useberry so the students could see the entire process in action. It really clicked for them; they were able to observe real user behaviors, identify the exact pain points, and connect those insights back to their design decisions. That hands-on experience made the concept of usability testing much more concrete, and many of them continue to use Useberry afterwards to validate and improve their own projects.

Are there specific Useberry features that have become essential to your students’ learning experience?

Yes, several Useberry features have become essential in our lessons. The five-second test, card sorting, A/B testing, and prototype testing are especially valuable because they help students quickly see how different methods uncover different types of insights. What they enjoy the most, though, are the session recordings and tester video captures. Watching real users interact with their designs not only highlights usability issues but also helps students develop empathy and understand user behavior on a deeper level. These features make the learning experience much more practical and memorable.

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The Future of UX Design

What skills or mindsets do you think are most critical for aspiring UX researchers and designers today?

For aspiring UX researchers and designers, I believe the most critical skill isn’t a tool or a method; it’s discipline. Discipline creates focus, and focus creates growth. Without it, even the best intentions quickly fade.

Today, working in UX is harder than ever. We’re living in a time of rapid technological change, and to stay relevant, you need to keep up. But this challenge also brings opportunity. There are countless real case studies and product examples to learn from, and every project is a chance to discover something new. The key is to stay disciplined, keep studying, and never compromise on the quality of your work. That mindset is what turns beginners into real professionals.

What do you see as the biggest challenges for UX professionals in the coming years?

One of the biggest challenges for UX professionals in the coming years will be the shift away from traditional workflows. Many of the classic UX processes no longer fit the pace and complexity of today’s products.

Companies are rapidly exploring new technologies like AI, trying to integrate them into their workflows and automate wherever possible to stay competitive. For UX specialists, this creates a real challenge: adapting quickly, experimenting with new tools, and redefining workflows that balance automation with human-centered design.

Fun Round

What’s one unconventional/fun/out-of-the-box piece of advice you give to your students that always seems to resonate?

I often give my students the classic advice: think outside the box. But one of my newer favorites, and the one that really resonates, is this: “You won’t know until you try. Just do it.” In UX, this mindset is essential. The field is evolving faster than we can predict, and no amount of theory will give you all the answers. The only way to learn what works is to experiment, test, and keep moving forward.

Conclusion

We hope you found Hayk’s take on “you can’t fix UX later,” the role of discipline, and turning instinct into data as energizing as we did. Big thanks to Hayk and the UX Academy Armenia team for sharing a grounded view of what it takes to grow as a designer today. As always, we have more Expert Talks on the way with practical insights you can use in your next study. If you have a guest in mind, tell us who you’d like to hear from next!

Disclaimer: The views shared in this interview are Hayk’s own and do not represent those of his employer.