I. Thought
In the unfolding story of my 15-year career in what we now affectionately call "product design," it might seem like I’ve been the epitome of focus and linear progression. But let's be honest: the real story is a bit more... meandering.
My journey began not with a laser focus on design, but with a fascination for technology—likely a genetic inheritance from my grandfather, a man who found bliss in the latest home stereo and the shininess of new cars. This interest evolved into a weekend ritual of commandeering the family computer, diving into the world of early websites and MS-DOS games, armed with nothing but curiosity and a competitive spirit to beat my brother to the punch.
High school saw me dipping my toes into acting and filmmaking, more of a strategic maneuver to escape math class than anything. This detour led to a bachelor’s degree in cinematography and a one-way ticket to New York, the promised land of aspiring filmmakers. But reality hit like a poorly scripted plot twist: my most creative task was mastering the art of coffee runs on set.
Then came the lightbulb moment. I realized that for the better part of a decade, I hadn't just been tinkering with computers—I had been creating with them. From wielding my pirated copy of Photoshop to create designs for friends to teaching myself how to code by dissecting the HTML of my favorite websites, my digital wanderings had endowed me with a unique set of skills. And the best part? I loved using them.
Enter Google, the next chapter in this unexpected saga. Surrounded by colleagues with fancy degrees in Human-Computer Interaction and Symbolic Systems, I initially felt out of my league. But I soon discovered my ace in the hole: my ability to turn designs into code as quickly as I could sketch them. This skill bridged the gap between my ideas and their realization, earning me a seat at the table with engineers and product strategists, absorbing as much cross-functionality knowledge as possible.
Fast forward to my time at Kickstarter, where I leveraged my design skills and product management savvy to drive ambitious changes, eventually leading both functions.
So, what's the takeaway from this story? It's not about choosing versatility over specialization. It's about celebrating the "T-shaped" individual—a specialist at heart, with a broad understanding that enhances and amplifies their core skills. This mix of depth and breadth has made me more adaptable and collaborative, opening doors to opportunities that might have stayed locked in a world that values narrow paths and prestigious pedigrees.
In the ever-changing world of technology and design, being "T-shaped" isn't just a bonus—it's a survival skill.
II. Links
The Rivian R2. The launch event was last month, but I’ve been watching reviews trickle in and am getting increasingly excited about it (yes, I reserved one). If Rivian can figure out production and manage costs, I think this could be a huge hit for them.
A digital marketer shares her top learnings with minimalist visuals. I love all of these, but in particular “it’s not what product you sell, it's about which story you tell.”
III. Jobs
The Browser Company is hiring a User Experience Researcher. Makers of the boundary-pushing Arc browser are hiring for a user researcher to join their Memberships team. Remote first, with an office in New York.
Copilot is hiring a Staff Product Designer. Copilot makes a thoughtfully designed money tracking app - a worthy successor to Mint (RIP). Hybrid, NYC-based.
Google Photos is hiring a Senior Motion Designer. I love it when companies prioritize motion as part of the core experience. Bonus points - I know the Director of UX on Photos and he’s a gem of a human being.