A sneak peek into the life of Dominik, a user experience and interface designer at Barrage

Here are some interesting facts about Dominik Kotris, an enthusiastic UX/UI designer from Barrage, who also has a technical background. With his energy and various hobbies, he refutes all myths about designers.

A brief history of employment with Barrage.

I joined Barrage four years ago. Since I was freelancing and had a spontaneous lifestyle at that time, I avoided large companies with many rules, procedures, and numerous teams around the floor. During that time, a friend from college suggested I should join Barrage, so I took my time, thought about the change, and joined it.

2017 was the year when Barrage had no more than 30 people actively working in the office and the time when I decided to expand my expertise in the fintech/blockchain environment.

Through one conversation with Feđa (CEO), he suggested joining one large-scale blockchain-related project. I didn’t have to think any further. I joined that project and felt a strong connection with the company's vision, and the rest is history.

What are your primary responsibilities, and what does your day-to-day look like?

I try and keep my days pretty organized and don't force myself to follow a routine strictly. On an average day, it would probably look like this:

• 8:00 — Wake up
• 9:00 - 11:00 — Daily catch-up with the team, project research, coffee, product planning, and task management
• 11:00 - 13:00 — Brainstorming, sketching, designing workflows, adjusting based on feedback
• 13:00 - 14:00 — Lunchtime
• 14:00 - 17:00 — Occasional meetings somewhere in the middle of the day, design prototyping, discussing new ideas with colleagues
• 18:00 - 19:00 — Relaxing
• 20:00 - 22:00 — Gym, dinner
• 22:00 - 01:00 — Shower, YouTube, music session, friends

Dominik sharing some new ideas with other team members

What has been your favorite project at Barrage?

While it’s not a project itself, I am proud of my team's autonomy, maturity, and accomplishments we have achieved as a whole so far. If I needed to pick one project, it would be Barrage Branding.

I just loved how we implemented the details and how the project mood was set up from the early stages. Excellence just came from each team member intuitively because we surely know how to represent Barrage’s core values. I would point out:

• A lot of individual team member’s effort and attention to details
• Collaboration between departments
• Our CEO working with the rest of the team on the design

What is the favorite part about working for Barrage?

Firstly, one of the things I appreciate the most is the variety of work it contains. One day I brainstorm with colleagues about new ideas and concepts at the workshop, and the next day I am completely immersed in finding solutions on my own.

Secondly, what motivates me to work at Barrage is the great company culture, a positive atmosphere, and my colleagues. Our teams collaborate daily. Through that collaboration, I’ve realized how much I value good communication, openness including the accessibility of my colleagues, and different perspectives.

Do you have any hobbies, go-to weekend activities, or long-term passion projects you’re working on?

I go to the gym during the week, while on the weekends I usually skateboard, chill and have fun with my friends.

I have been playing music since 2004. In recent times I have committed some of my free time to music production. Besides that, I would like to further improve my bass guitar technique. I was in an orchestra for eight years and graduated from music school, so I have always appreciated instrument and vocal layering to compose music.

I plan to combine the technical (IT and design) and music industry knowledge into my job routine in the long run.

Dominik on vacation in Rimini, Italy

Before working at Barrage, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

I created a startup when I was 20 years old. Although my startup didn't reach the level I expected and didn't get funding for further growth, it did win many 1st place awards for the best business plan. Because of that, I even had the opportunity to represent Croatia and Europe in global student competition in Fort Worth, Texas.

Besides that, my attempt certainly gave me a new understanding of work, creativity, and success. It was a rollercoaster ride, but I've gained excellent skills and life experiences.

Top three life highlights?

1. Represented Croatia & Europe at TCU’s Values & Ventures - Global competition for student startups and business ideas
2. I trained in athletics in middle school. I won 2nd place in the 4 x 200m relay with my team at the state competition in 2012.
3. I have a master's degree in Computer Science

When are you the happiest?

@WORK - I am the happiest when I produce work that takes a complex problem, breaks it down into its simplest components, and creates something useful, appealing, and meaningful. This can be applied to everything, whether you’re developing, designing, managing projects, etc.

@LIFE - I am the happiest when I achieve my goals and have a great time with my friends.

What's your favorite newspaper or blog?

I’ve recently started to enjoy watching Hagerty because of its refreshing high-quality. It’s an automotive YouTube channel about sport and supercars, motor builds, car buying guides, and it features Jason Cammisa, from which I’ve learned a lot about sports cars and racing history.

Dominik being amazed by super duty Ford truck F-250 in Texas

What's your favorite quote or motto?

There’s a saying that you can never reach the limit. Because when you approach it, you only push it further away. Follow, enjoy and respect the journey, be yourself, learn something new every day, stay humble, work hard, and treat others the way you want to be treated.

Do you have an office nickname? What is it?

Once, someone accidentally mispronounced my last name, and instead of Kotris, said Tetris. Since then, I have become Tetris.

Who is your role model?

I can't single out one person. I appreciate different characters and different perspectives, so my inspiration comes from different people.

Get to know Dominik and the rest of the team at Barrage!

We are thrilled to have Dominik as part of our team at Barrage. His enthusiasm makes him a role model for every current and future employee. If you would like to ask Dominik any questions about the design team at Barrage or meet any of his peers, please connect with us and we will make sure to introduce you.