# About Samuel Ministar

> I believe design should feel inevitable — like it couldn't have been any other way. And I believe code should serve that feeling, not fight it.

## Origins

My journey started in Delta State, Nigeria, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. From there, I cut my teeth as a printing technician and industrial training instructor — teaching design and Microsoft Suite to students. Those early teaching days ignited a passion for making technology accessible.

## Evolution

I went on to build products that matter: from designing the UI for Vride's e-hailing app, to leading design and technology at Sienco Polymer Industries (SPIN), to my current roles as Lead Product Designer at Candleweb and Founder of Blackstar Development Studio.

## Philosophy

> Design is problem-solving with empathy

> Code is the bridge between vision and reality

> AI is the canvas of tomorrow

## Beyond Code

When I'm not pushing pixels or writing code, I'm exploring AI art creation (8,200+ pieces), taking photographs, or dreaming up my first game. I am a student of skeuomorphic design, constantly exploring how tactile, real-world metaphors can ground futuristic interfaces.

## Career
- Lead Product Designer (Volunteer), Dubs Mathematics (Aug 2026 – present; Part-time · Volunteer · Remote, South Africa) — Sole designer of Dubsbot, the nonprofit’s WhatsApp learning chatbot that helps learners reach mathematics and other subjects on WhatsApp — owning its design direction and learning journeys. Focus: Product Design • Design Leadership.
- Lead Product Designer, Candleweb (Feb 2024 – present) — Design with Figma and AI integration for CandleAI, an AI crypto-trading companion that runs on a non-custodial model. Focus: Figma • AI Integration Specialist.
- Founder, Blackstar Development Studio (May 2023 – present) — His own studio: client projects across web development, mobile UI design and AI integration. Focus: Full-Stack Design • AI Products.
- CTO & Chief Design Officer, Sienco Polymer Industries (Sep 2021 – Jan 2026) — Led both the technology strategy and the design direction of the company. Focus: Product Development • Design Thinking.
- Chief Technology Officer, Vride (Jan 2019 – Aug 2020) — Led mobile interface design and technology for an e-hailing platform. Focus: Mobile Interface Design • E-hailing Platform.
- Earlier: Booking Agent at myPadi.ng; Printing technician and industrial training instructor (Nigeria).

## Education
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — Southern Delta State University, Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria

## Speaking
- "The Non-Coding Designer: Why You Should Learn to Code" — Interaction Design Foundation — Johannesburg chapter, Jul 2024. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqGF2TQQJfY

## Certifications (26 from 5 issuers)
### Anthropic
- Claude Platform 101 (Jul 2026)
- Claude with Google Cloud’s Vertex AI (Jul 2026)
- Model Context Protocol: Advanced Topics (Jun 2026)
- Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP) (Jun 2026)
- Building with the Claude API (Jun 2026)
- Introduction to Subagents (May 2026)
- AI Fluency Framework & Foundations (May 2026)
- Introduction to Agent Skills (Apr 2026)
- Introduction to Claude Cowork (Apr 2026)
- Claude Code 101 (Apr 2026)
- Claude 101 (Apr 2026)
- Claude Code in Action (Apr 2026)

### IxDF
- Gamification — Engaging UX (Dec 2024)
- UI Design Patterns for Successful Software (Dec 2024)
- UX Design for Virtual Reality (Dec 2024)
- Gestalt Psychology and Web Design (Aug 2024)
- Affordances: Designing Intuitive User Interfaces (Aug 2024)
- AI for Designers (Jan 2024)
- Design for a Better World with Don Norman (Jan 2024)
- Design for a Better World, a Discussion with Don Norman (Dec 2023)
- IxDF Membership Certificate (Dec 2023)

### Domestika
- Strategic Foresight for Brands (Jan 2024)

### Google / Coursera
- Build Wireframes and Low Fidelity Prototypes (Sep 2022)
- Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate (Jul 2022)
- Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design (Jun 2022)

### freeCodeCamp
- Responsive Web Design (Oct 2018)