Philosophy

Principles

My principles influence how I lead design teams to create impactful solutions.

• Useful

  Usefulness is be the highest priority. The number one reason a product (or business for that matter) fails — nobody wants it.

  Making useful products increases customer satisfaction, addresses market competitiveness, increases user adoption and retention, and perhaps most importantly lays the foundation to scale your audience.

  By understanding your target audience's needs and designing with purpose, you create products that provide real value and make a meaningful impact in the lives of your users.

• Obvious

  Your designs should feel be obvious. Focus on creating intuitive and easily understandable interfaces, or experiences that meet your customer expectations.

  Doing so will minimize the learning curve, and enhance usability and satisfaction. Obvious designs improve efficiency and productivity, support accessibility and inclusivity, build trust, and empower users to make informed decisions.

• Simple

  "Simple" is all about keeping things straightforward and user-friendly. It's not just about making the first action crystal clear; it's about stripping away unnecessary complexity that hinders customers from seeing the bigger picture and understanding the full value of a product. When things get overly complicated, it kills the spirit of exploration and prevents users from finding those hidden gems of extra value.

  By embracing "simple", you make it easier for users to navigate, understand, and engage with a product. It reduces the mental burden, encourages exploration, and lets users dig deeper to uncover more awesomeness. Plus, a simple design is scalable and adaptable, ready to grow alongside the evolving needs of your users.

  So, keep it simple, my friend, and watch as users embrace your product with open arms, delighted by its ease and impressed by the value they discover along the way.

• Unified

  When your visual artifacts, language, tone, colors, and even those tiny interactions all work together seamlessly, magic happens. It builds trust and familiarity.

  See, when your design stays unified, it creates a strong brand identity that people can recognize from a mile away. It's not just about the product itself; it extends to social media, ads, and all those other places where your brand shows up. It's like having your own VIP queue, where people know exactly what to expect and feel connected to your awesomeness.

  And here's the icing on the cake: that unified experience builds an emotional connection, making users feel a sense of familiarity with how your product makes them feel. So keep it unified, my friend, and watch as people line up to be a part of your unforgettable design journey.

• Pretty

  Pretty designs bring joy and make user experiences more enjoyable. They capture attention, spark interest, and create positive emotions that keep users engaged. Aesthetically pleasing designs also convey a sense of professionalism and quality, building trust with users and enhancing brand reputation. They help your brand stand out and be memorable, creating a distinctive visual identity that users can recognize and recall.

  Furthermore, pretty designs encourage users to explore and discover more, providing an intuitive and visually appealing experience that increases user confidence and willingness to interact with the product. By prioritizing aesthetics, you can create engaging and memorable experiences that resonate with users.

Leadership Values

I establish values to influence behaviors and guide decision-making for myself and the teams I'm on.

• Outcomes Over Output

  Forget about mindlessly grinding and obsessing over your workload. Shift your focus to the end result. It's all about caring more about the final outcome.

  With this mindset you can unlock the creative genius inside you. You will set clear goals and know what you want to achieve. You can prioritize and make the most of your time. You'll bring your A-game and deliver quality. Be a creative genius, not settling for average. You'll emmbrace change, try new approaches, and handle anything that comes your way.

  Last but not least, it puts to task you and your teams ability to measure success. Outcomes are what really matter. They show you what's working and what's not. Use that knowledge to make smart decisions!

• Encourage Deadlines

  Its always important to weed out weak concepts early on and focus on the winners. Limited time forces you to evaluate ideas quickly — And quick evaluation is done best by scoping down. Time constraints lead to more concise problems, solutions and process.

  Time constraints help you manage the risk of over-investing in bad ideas. Without time constraints, your milestones can balloon in scope, and time to launch can continue to get pushed out. By setting milestones connected to deeadlines, you're forced to evaluate progress frequently. The best part — this opens the door to more difficult decisions and allow you to pivot when necessary — don't let time suck you into a design black hole.

  Embrace the challenge and surprise yourself. Time constraints force you to evaluate quickly, adapt as you go, and manage risk. So, embrace those constraints, and design like a boss!

• Assume Best Intentions.

  Assuming best intentions within a team creates a positive and trusting environment that fosters open communication, collaboration, and strengthens relationships. It encourages empathy during conflicts, minimizing negativity and defensiveness, while promoting constructive discussions and finding common ground.

  This approach cultivates a growth mindset, allowing team members to take risks, share ideas, and innovate without fear of judgment. It increases productivity, morale, and attracts top talent, as individuals feel motivated and valued, leading to a high-performing and engaged team. Additionally, conflicts are resolved effectively through problem-solving and open communication, preserving relationships and team dynamics.

• Seek Divergent Ideas

  Seeking divergent ideas as part of a product team brings valuable benefits. It stimulates creativity and innovation by introducing fresh perspectives and unconventional approaches. Diverse viewpoints tap into collective intelligence, enhancing problem-solving capabilities and leading to better decisions. Embracing divergent ideas creates a dynamic and innovative team environment.

  It also fosters inclusivity, as team members feel valued and engaged when encouraged to contribute their unique thoughts and opinions. By seeking diverse ideas, you can anticipate user needs and preferences more effectively, resulting in improved products and user satisfaction.

• Be Sustainable

  Taking care of yourself keeps your well-being in check and your productivity on point. When you prioritize your physical and mental health, you can handle the demands of your role without burning out or stressing yourself too much. Plus, it sets the stage for teamwork and collaboration. By finding that work-life balance and practicing self-care, you become a reliable and supportive team member, creating a positive environment where everyone can thrive.

  But it doesn't stop there. Personal sustainability boosts your creativity and problem-solving mojo. When you give yourself the space and time to recharge, you open up your mind to fresh ideas and new perspectives. It's like hitting the refresh button for your brain. And guess what? Taking care of yourself also ensures long-term career sustainability. By avoiding burnout and staying motivated, you can keep growing professionally and contributing to your team's success in the long run.

  Make personal sustainability a priority and show others the way. It's all about setting a positive example and building a team that values well-being and supports each other.