Joining a new company means going through an initial learning phase. Corporate training plays a crucial role in helping new hires integrate, understand processes and tools, and contribute effectively to their team.
At Intré, training is not a one-time event but a continuous and structured journey (read the full article about training at Intré).
As part of the Thanks business unit, Andrea Spera had the opportunity to experience an intensive six-month learning program, full of insights and hands-on practice. The journey covered not only the SCRUM framework but also practical tools for UX and UI design, the foundations for building a design system from scratch, and a course on digital accessibility (learn more about what it means and why it matters).
In this article, I’d like to share some key moments from my journey and offer useful insights for anyone starting their first training experience or, more broadly, embarking on a learning path within a company.
Why Training Matters
It’s often asked whether corporate training is truly useful or if “learning by doing” is enough.
From my experience, I’ve seen that a structured training path provides tangible benefits.
- It accelerates onboarding: helping newcomers understand processes, company culture, and the team’s shared language.
- It makes learning more focused: enabling the acquisition of specific skills in an organized way, avoiding confusion or common mistakes.
- It connects theory and practice: what’s learned can be applied immediately, turning knowledge into practical tools.
My Learning Journey
Over six months, the program was structured and multidisciplinary, covering several key areas.
Scrum and Agile Methodology
I delved into the Scrum framework, explored through a case study that demonstrated how a team can organize itself in an iterative and incremental way.
This approach helps manage complex projects by dividing them into short cycles (sprints), fostering continuous feedback and ongoing improvement.
I learned about the key roles and main ceremonies, seeing how an agile and structured mindset can guide projects toward tangible results.
UX and UI Design
As part of the BU Thanks Design team, I explored how they approach UX and UI design, starting from the book The Vignelli Canon, which emphasizes the importance of context and appropriateness.
I understood how design choices are always driven by user needs and the context of use.
Design System and Atomic Design
I discovered the modular approach of design systems through Atomic Design, learning how to combine components to create coherent, scalable, and accessible interfaces.
Customer Experience and Service Blueprint
I learned how to represent the user experience with practical tools such as customer journeys and service blueprints, mapping flows, touchpoints, and critical moments.
These tools help identify improvement opportunities and enable targeted interventions to optimize the user experience.
UX Principles and Gestalt
Through readings like UI Pedia and Refactoring UI, I applied principles of visual perception and consistency to interface design, improving the usability and accessibility of digital products.
Digital Accessibility
The dedicated course showed me how to build inclusive interfaces, complying with WCAG guidelines and adapting code to support users with different disabilities.
Redesign of the “Find a Seat” App
By applying Gestalt principles, I redesigned the interface of an existing app, improving readability and navigation.
By prototyping in Figma, I learned not only how to manage a redesign project but also how small changes can have a major impact on the user experience.
Practical Tips to Get the Most Out of Training
Experiencing corporate training actively means going beyond simply “absorbing” content and turning it into tools for everyday work.
Here are some insights I’ve found particularly useful:
Organize and Structure Information
During a training program, you receive a large amount of information, links, and materials.
Tools like Notion (for creating digital notebooks), Miro (for visually mapping concepts and processes), or Google Drive (for storing shared documents) help you build a well-structured personal archive to revisit over time.
Put What You Learn into Practice Right Away
Theory gains real value only when applied. Even small exercises or practical simulations — such as redesigning an interface or creating a user map — help consolidate your skills.
Ask for Feedback and Exchange Ideas
Sharing your work with colleagues and mentors helps identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Reflect on the Experience
Taking time to summarize key concepts and rephrase them in your own words helps transform theory into practice.
Writing a short reflection or creating a mind map after each module makes learning more meaningful and long-lasting.
Conclusion
The six months of training at Intré allowed me to turn theoretical concepts into practical experience, developing solid skills in UX/UI design and digital accessibility.
When embraced actively, corporate training becomes a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.
Useful Resources and References
- Article published in Intré blog: “Learning Organization – modello pratico che funziona“
- The Vignelli Canon – context and appropriateness in design
- UI Pedia – UX principles and consistent interfaces
- Refactoring – improving and optimizing UI