Careers
15 years in UX: Ashish’s Journey from Nepal to Global Design Excellence
How does a graphic designer from Nepal become a global UI/UX expert? For Ashish Tamrakar, the answer lies in 15 years of relentless adaptation, curiosity, and a partnership with Proshore—a company he helped shape from its infancy.
From wrestling with Internet Explorer 6 in 2008 to designing AI-powered interfaces today, Ashish’s journey is a masterclass in turning limitations into opportunities. For aspiring Nepali designers eyeing international careers, his story proves that talent, not geography, defines success.
From Pixels to Problems: The Evolution of a Designer
When Ashish joined Proshore as a graphic designer in 2008, “UI/UX” wasn’t even a buzzword in Nepal. His toolkit? CorelDraw and a creative eye. However the web design world was shifting, and clients demanded more than static visuals. “I had zero coding experience,” Ashish recalls. “Suddenly, I was debugging layouts in IE6 (Internet Explorer 6) and pleading with browsers to render CSS consistently.”
Enter Roshan, Proshore’s co-founder and one of Ashish’s first mentors. “Roshan sir handed me WordPress tutorials and said, ‘Learn to think like a developer.’ That changed everything.” Ashish began designing with functionality in mind, not just aesthetics. He mastered HTML, embraced frameworks like Tailwind CSS, and rode the tsunami of design trends—from skeuomorphism’s 3D buttons to flat design’s minimalist revolt.
But survival in tech requires foresight. “Every two years, the rules change,” Ashish warns. “If you stop learning, you become obsolete.” Today, he’s tackling AI tools like Figma’s AI-powered prototypes, proving that adaptability isn’t optional—it’s existential.
🥡 Takeaway
Trends fade, but problem-solving is timeless. Design for usability first, then beauty.
Building a Career Without Borders: Remote Work & Global Mindsets
Early Proshore was a startup in every sense: open desks, Saturday hikes, and a flat hierarchy that blurred lines between interns and founders. This culture of collaboration fueled creativity. “We weren’t just coworkers—we were pioneers,” Ashish reflects.
Then came the pandemic. Remote work erased commutes but also casual coffee breaks. For Ashish, a new father, flexibility was a double-edged sword. “I saved hours by working from home, but missed the spontaneous brainstorming that sparks innovation.”
Yet, remote work unlocked global opportunities. Ashish’s designs now serve clients from Amsterdam to Sydney. One standout project? A “Choose Your Shoes” configurator built with Tailwind. “International clients demand precision. Their feedback pushed me to think beyond Nepal’s design norms,” he says. Another example, a Dutch AgriTech client, De Heus, taught him the power of brand consistency. “Their strict guidelines forced me to innovate within constraints.”
Proshore’s “no monotonous work” ethos kept him hooked. “Every project felt like a puzzle. I’d switch from e-commerce layouts to AI dashboards, always learning.”
✈️ Takeaway
Remote work isn’t just about convenience—it’s a gateway to global standards. Treat every client as a teacher.
Ashish’s Blueprint: Advice for Aspiring Nepali Designers
Proudest Milestones
While Ashish has been part of nearly all client projects since he’s been with us, here are some professional milestones that stand out to him.
Designing the “Honey” logo for a client during my first years – and getting it approved.
Leading Proshore’s WordPress migration, slashing load times by 40%.
Cracking Tailwind CSS to build responsive interfaces in record time.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
🗣️ Ignoring Client Communication
“A beautiful design is useless if it doesn’t solve the client’s problem. Ask why before how.”
🤖 Fearing AI
“AI won’t replace designers—it’ll replace those who ignore it. Use tools like i for wireframe ideas, not final drafts.”
😵💫 Tutorial Overload
“Don’t just copy code. Break it, tweak it, make it yours.”
Actionable Tips
🖼️ Design Portfolios That Tell Stories
“Showcase projects where your design moved metrics. Did your i boost conversions? Simplify navigation? That’s what clients care about.”
🫂 Embrace Cultural Fluency
“Study color psychology. Red means passion in the West but luck in Nepal. Design for your audience, not your portfolio.”
🧐 Stay Curious, Not Complacent
“Follow designers like Chris Coyier (thanks to Roshan’s mentorship!) or Aarron Walter. Reverse-engineer their work.”
The Future is Fearless
Ashish’s journey—from Kathmandu to global projects—debunks the myth that Nepal’s tech scene is “too small” to compete. “Our humility and hunger are advantages,” he insists. “Nepali designers understand diverse user needs because we’ve navigated resource constraints ourselves.”
As AI reshapes design, Ashish’s advice is simple: Adapt or pivot. “Learn AI tools, but protect your creative voice. Let machines handle grids; humans handle empathy.”
The next 15 years of tech won’t be ruled by Silicon Valley alone. They’ll belong to designers who merge cultural insight with technical grit. For Nepali talent, the world isn’t just a market—it’s your canvas.
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