Salma's Maker Journal

About Me

Hi, I’m Salma Ashraf a Product Designer and multidisciplinary creative with a passion for design, education, and social impact. I’m currently a university student at the Faculty of Education, where I blend my academic background with hands-on experience in product thinking, user experience, and community innovation.
As a Product Designer, I’ve led the redesign of the IEEE MANSB official website with a futuristic theme and contributed to digital projects that prioritize both functionality and empathy.
I’ve served as a mentor in the Active Citizens program by the British Council, in collaboration with Empower Hub, where I supported young changemakers in developing impactful community projects. This role deepened my commitment to human-centered innovation and youth empowerment.
In 2023, I became the first Egyptian girl to win the Molecular Frontiers Inquiry Prize, a global science award judged by Nobel Laureates.

My first time

First time on a TV program

After winning at the NASA Space Apps Challenge Benha 2022, my team was the only one invited for a special interview on Madrasati TV Channel. We presented our project: a mobile app designed to help with early detection of earthquakes and raise awareness about safety and risk prevention.

First time teaching children

As part of the IEEE Mansoura team, I took part in Codesteps, an educational event focused on teaching children the basics of programming in a fun and engaging way.

Mentor– Active Citizens Program

I served as a mentor in the Active Citizens Program, organized by the British Council in partnership with Empower Hub in Mansoura. It was my first time stepping into a co-trainer role in social entrepreneurship, where I guided and supported three teams in developing impactful community-based projects. One of the teams I mentored proudly won first place in the final competition

My First Short Film

I took part in a filmmaking and directing training program organized by Artkaz for Arts in Mansoura, where I learned the fundamentals of short film production. During the program, I created my first short film, which was officially screened at the final showcase event.

Why I Joined Maker Diploma

I’ve known about the Maker Diploma since high school, and I had been waiting for the right moment to finally take part in it. I joined this program because I’m working on what I consider the most important project of my life: Fayd a mental health app and interactive robot designed to support emotional well-being in a safe, human-centered way.

Fayd combines features like journaling, mood tracking, breathing exercises, and AI-powered planning, alongside a physical robot that reacts to users’ emotional states creating a supportive experience both digitally and physically.

The Maker Diploma gives me the tools and technical foundation I need to bring Fayd to life from planning and prototyping to designing real-world solutions that create meaningful impact.

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