Hear from the Wix product designer who believes that trends come and go, but concept driven decisions are always advisable.
Tell us about your work: what is your current position?
I’m a product designer on the Rich Content team, which is the editor for creating content across different Wix products, such as the blog, forum, groups, etc.
What was your graduation project and how did it affect your career?
My graduation project was a catalogue in ten varying formats, 402 pages. It was born out of a collaboration with a collective of nine photographers from the Photography Department at Bezalel Academy. It was also a part of the Leipzig Book Fair “Best Book Design from All Over the World 2019” in Germany. None of that affected my career in any way.
What skills/assets did you learn in college that you felt ended up rewarding you the most in finding your first position?
At my first job I set out to find a place that was far away from my skill set and my design aesthetics. At that time, I was looking to get out of my comfort zone, and it felt—in a way—like a baptism by fire.
When you got into the “real world” what did you look back on in your education and found lacking?
I don’t see it as ‘before’ and ‘after.’ Everything is the “real world,” it just depends on the context. Four years is a short period of time for learning, so in a way, I found many things lacking. It feels like with every new project, you’re starting from scratch—but, that’s also what keeps me interested and curious.
The portfolio interview is a daunting moment—any general tips around etiquette for before, during and after (secret things that people wished were done but maybe usually go unsaid)?
It might not seem like it in the moment, but these interviews work both ways. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions, take an interest in the day-to-day projects, understand their design point-of-view, and if it fits yours.
And what’s the most important thing to have/show in a portfolio?
I think it’s about curating a small number of projects that don't only showcase your skills, but also give a glimpse of your design point-of-view, interests, and the way you think. As for the curatorial part, I believe it's better to try to take an external point of view. Sometimes, we make decisions based on our personal and emotional experiences, like a negative review or an exhausting process, and we may miss a great project in our portfolio.
How do you usually start working on a project?
It depends on the type of project. Usually, I start with a rough sketch of my initial idea (before doubts arise), and I rely on my intuition as an entry point. After some quick research, I come back with keywords that serve me as anchors. I use the problem-solving approach along the way, even for the smallest things.
How do you use trends in your work?
Mostly, I don’t, at least not consciously. Trends come and go, and I believe in concept-driven decisions.
Professional expertise is something that you know you’re just naturally great at. It isn’t necessarily what you love but what you’re good at. How did you find your own professional expertise?
Working with people. It helps me naturally to observe and discover where I'm most comfortable, and where I’m less so.
The first year after school can be a confusing time. What was it like for you?
It was confusing indeed. However, it made me think about the things I am most interested in, and what's next for me.
What's the best advice you've received (and from whom)?
At the academy, we were always encouraged to brainstorm with our colleagues. I found it to be a great approach to unlock creativity, think freely, and put ideas into words.
What are you working on now?
One of the projects I’m currently working on is a plugin, called "Spoiler," that enables users to alert readers before revealing any 'crucial' information.
What do you find most useful in your work (research, visuals, softwares, etc.)?
I found user interviews and usability testing to be the most interesting part of my work. In any design field, once the designer has completed his/her work, then the design comes out and starts to live—where it interacts with people. I have the opportunity to have a continuous dialogue with the people who interact with my design, and it’s probably the best design lesson I can get.
