Meet Allstar Suzen, Head of Product Design at airasia MOVE, the travel platform business aka our Superapp. Between Advertising and Tech, she decided to pursue a field that keeps her on her toes. Find out more as she graces this month’s Hot Seat.

1. Let's start things easy; tell us 5 fun facts.

• Born in Johor, raised in KL.

• I wanted to be an architect but since the admission was much later, I enrolled into a design school instead.

• I’m a proud Allstar of almost two decades!

• When I’m not working, I’m off exploring new places. Favourite destination so far: Hong Kong

• I’ve always had a passion for design and its potential to solve real-world problems

2. What do you do at airasia MOVE?

I’m responsible for the overall mobile app and website experience that you use for your travel and lifestyle needs.

This includes overseeing the design of all aspects from visual design to the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). I also work with my team of designers, researchers and writers to create and implement new features and improvements.

3. Walk us through your Allstar journey.

I started in 2005 in the foundational web team (we built the very website you're using today!) as a lead designer, shaping the user experience from the ground up.

In 2010, I became the web team manager, leading a talented team that kept our website running smoothly and evolving with the times.

Recognising the growing importance of user experience, I then spearheaded the creation of the UX team in 2013. This allowed us to deepen our understanding of user needs and optimise our digital offerings. It’s been 18 years of evolving and innovating; it’s crazy to see how much we’ve grown since then.

4. That's one heck of a ride! What then would be a project you're proud of implementing?

I’d say the AB testing and personalisation capabilities on the website. This wasn't just about technology; it was about empowering us to make data-driven decisions and deliver a truly personalised experience for every guest and user. We even built our own in-house testing tool to make it cost-effective and agile.

5. From Architect to Tech, how did that happen?

I’ve always been keen on design. I didn’t want to wait for the architecture school’s intake so I did advertising and graphic design instead.

To be honest, working in tech didn’t cross my mind. After graduating, I was deciding between tech and advertising. The tech industry was booming then during the dotcom era, and I was drawn to the dynamism and innovation it offered.

So when I got an offer from a dotcom company, I saw it as a chance to combine my design skills with cutting edge technology. In retrospect, I'm glad I chose tech because it’s a better fit for me and it keeps me on my tippy toes.

6. What's a day like as a head?

During my 40-minute train ride to the office, I browse through users’ feedback on our app. This helps me understand what they like and dislike about our product so we can make it even better.

At the office after a cup of Americano, I start by planning the day and prioritising the most important tasks. The rest of my day is usually filled with meetings, working on projects, and discussions on how we can improve our product.

7. What do you like about working in airasia?

I cherish the people the most. When I first joined, I was struck by the vibrant energy and diversity of the workforce. It felt like a collection of small companies united under a shared vision.

Working with colleagues from various backgrounds, expertise and countries has been an enriching experience. I've gained valuable insights into different cultures and perspectives, and broadened my understanding of the world.

It’s truly a dynamic company that constantly embraces change, and I've grown alongside it. It has pushed me to learn new skills and adapt to new challenges. I've witnessed firsthand the company's growth and transformation, and I'm proud to have played a part in its journey.

My experiences here have shaped me into the professional I am today, moulding my decision-making, approach to work, and overall mindset.

8. Last words of advice?

I’ve seen the good and the bad times we’ve faced in airasia. At the end of the day, it comes down to being positive and resilient.

This company started off as a mere dream and now it’s doing more than just flying. So don’t be discouraged by setbacks, learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

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Interested in joining us as a future Allstar? Make airasia your dream career destination today! Apply at https://mycareer.airasia.com/gb/en; or join our Talent Community for more updates and happenings: https://mycareer.airasia.com/gb/en/jointalentcommunity.