From AI-powered news features to interactive visual storytelling, two DigiPen (Singapore) alumni are helping The Straits Times reimagine how readers consume news in the digital age. Nur Armira Sari and Shazanani Binte Idris, both graduates of the BA in User Experience and Game Design (BA UXGD) program, have found their calling bringing a unique blend of creative and technical skills to the newsroom.
For Armira, the journey into UX design began with a simple observation: watching her mother struggle to navigate poorly designed apps. “I’d catch myself pointing out how things could be improved with the right font choices or proper UI elements,” Armira recalls. “That’s what really sparked my interest in this field.” After completing her Diploma in Design for User Experience at Republic Polytechnic, a lecturer encouraged Armira to pursue BA UXGD at DigiPen (Singapore) to deepen her knowledge in the area.
Shazanani’s path started differently — through a brush with software development. While studying IT and learning to build applications at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, she discovered something profound. “Knowing that we could hold such power building from nothing to something sparked my interest,” she says. But it wasn’t just about programming anymore. “I began noticing that the best digital experiences always had one thing in common: they were designed intentionally for the user,” Shazanani reflects. This realization led her to enroll in DigiPen (Singapore)’s BA UXGD to learn how to design purposeful, human-centered experiences that users could genuinely connect with and enjoy.
Today, both alumni are making their mark at The Straits Times. Armira initially joined as an intern digital product designer in August 2024, then converted to a full-time role this year. Armira first joined the Product and Technology department as the team was working on their website and app revamp. The revamp included implementing AI-driven features such as article summaries, better search functionalities, and the ST Headstart chatbot. “As an intern, I got to be involved in the whole process — research, wireframing, prototyping, final designs, and even QA testing,” Armira says.
Now as a full-time digital product designer, Armira’s job scope focuses more on design QA and testing, as well as refining The Straits Times’ design system under the guidance of a senior designer — who happens to be a DigiPen (Singapore) alumna.
On the other hand, Shazanani is a digital graphic designer at The Straits Times. She works with her team to develop multimedia graphics and interactive articles. As her role is multidisciplinary, no two days are ever alike. “My role is a mix of research, creative design, and collaboration,” she explains. Depending on the project’s requirements, she might be working on 3D assets, illustration, photography, or storyboarding.
Both designers credit their DigiPen education for giving them a strong foundation in critical thinking, iterative design, and collaboration — essential skills to thrive in the fast-paced newsroom environment. Shazanani particularly values the iterative design mindset that she cultivated through the constant prototyping, testing, and refining that she was exposed to. “This has been invaluable in my current work. In a newsroom setting where projects move quickly, this process has helped me adapt, respond to feedback, and continuously improve.”
For Armira, DigiPen (Singapore)’s approach to multidisciplinary projects has been most valuable. “I learned to collaborate with those from different backgrounds such as developers, understanding their pain points and working styles,” she says. “These experiences taught me how to better communicate, collaborate, and adapt in a team.”
Working for the national newspaper means that Armira and Shazanani’s work has a direct impact on thousands of readers. Both find this incredibly fulfilling, and it drives them to constantly hone their design sense and improve.
As the media landscape continues to evolve with AI and interactivity, both alumni remain committed to what first drew them to UX design — creating purposeful, accessible experiences. Shazanani reflects that her work experience has given her a deeper appreciation of visualization. “When it’s done well, it doesn’t just inform — it actually engages people,” she says. Armira agrees, adding that when it comes to design, it’s really the littlest details that matter. “Small changes can make a big difference in how people experience a product. That’s what’s most rewarding about design — the process of taking an idea, iterating, and seeing the impact it has in real life.”