How would you best describe your role?
I’m a Senior Product Designer working with our Solutions and Bespoke teams. Since joining Mappedin, I’ve been involved in redesigning and developing our web and directory products, so it's been a busy time! A large portion of my role focuses on researching, testing, and designing new features for our products.
What does your typical workday look like?
Morning: I start the day by catching up with the team during our daily standup, reviewing progress from the previous day. Afterward, I go through anything that needs my attention and create a quick to-do list of tasks I want to tackle for the day.
Afternoon: I typically spend the afternoon designing new features in Figma or conducting research and collaborating with team members on product development.
My go-to lunch is: Lately, I’ve been making hard-boiled eggs with hot sauce!
What’s your process for researching and understanding user needs before starting a design project?
I typically begin by connecting with our account managers, support team, or anyone who engages with customers regularly. This allows me to better understand the problem from different viewpoints. If I need more context, I’ll schedule a meeting with a customer for direct feedback.
On some more recent projects, I have been user testing with some willing co-workers. Observing and hearing a person’s thoughts while using the product is usually quite insightful and helps clarify the problem.
How do you stay current with design trends and best practices?
Apart from everyday use, I like to browse sites like Dribbble and Mobbin for visual design and NNG for studies and UX practices. I also meet regularly with other Mappedin designers to collaborate and learn about different processes.
How do you balance aesthetics with usability in your designs?
It really depends on the project. Recently, I’ve been working on custom directory projects for larger screens, where the goal is to capture a person’s attention in fast-paced environments like airports. In these cases, designing a visually engaging homepage is one of the key priorities.
What does it mean to be a great product designer?
In my experience, the best designers thoroughly investigate and deeply understand the user's needs, allowing them to make confident decisions about the direction to take. That said, I believe anyone with a strong passion for a particular field or interest can be highly capable.
What has been the most rewarding part of your role as a Senior Product Designer?
One of the most rewarding aspects of working at Mappedin is seeing a product I’ve contributed to on a large interactive kiosk. Most digital products I’ve worked on have been desktop or mobile-based, so seeing it in that form factor is a unique experience. Watching someone use our product to find their way is especially gratifying.
What would your advice be for junior designers wanting to get into product design?
There is an abundance of resources available online to learn from along with networking events to meet people already working in the industry. But, the best way to learn any craft is to work under someone who has lots of experience and really enjoys what they do.
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