Daniela Fernandez, Senior Product Designer

I’m a designer not solely as a result of I like fixing customers’ issues in a artistic approach, but in addition as a result of I get to consider easy methods to execute and implement the options. I really like studying about customers, gathering all the data wanted, and excited about processes and one of the simplest ways to method issues. Being capable of see the large image, but in addition dig into the main points…that’s what I get pleasure from essentially the most.

As somebody who as soon as thought-about being an accountant (sure, my love for spreadsheets goes approach again), I’ve to say that one of many issues that led me into design is that each job, venture, or activity is completely different. There’s no components. You can certainly take into consideration standardizing the method and documentation, however the resolution will all the time be completely different. And that—to me—is tremendous thrilling!

At the second, I’m working with an incredible staff which focuses on creating useful Premium experiences in markets the place Spotify continues to be fairly new. I spend most of my days studying and ideating round how customers in these markets hearken to music, purchase services, determine what they worth essentially the most, and have interaction with artists and creators. 

It’s an unbelievable expertise as a result of it actually places issues into perspective. As I work with audiences which have very completely different motivators and issues, my job is to verify all customers have significant and lasting relationships with Spotify, no matter the place they’re on the earth.

My desk is often fairly messy, stuffed with notes from conferences and empty cups of espresso. Every day earlier than I’m going house, I attempt to clear up the mess and maintain it respectable, however the actuality is that I’ve a window ledge subsequent to me the place I maintain all of the helpful stuff I’ll want tomorrow.

1. Monitor. Without an enormous display screen, I’m ineffective. I often have e-mail and Slack on the small display screen, and the factor that I’m specializing in on the time on the large display screen.

2. I used to be having a nasty day the opposite day, and my pretty buddy and wonderful designer Sahana obtained me this pretty current to make me really feel higher.

3. It appears like I’ve mints right here, nevertheless it’s truly ibuprofen.

4. Ergonomic mouse. Just a few months in the past I obtained ulnar nerve entrapment (in each palms!) on account of my unhealthy posture. I obtained an ergonomic evaluation carried out and I ended up with this mouse that appears like a shiny ball. I’ve to confess that I’m not a fan.

5. Wacom pill. I’m cross-dominant, that signifies that I exploit one hand for some duties and the opposite hand for others. I’m not good at writing with my proper hand, so I often use a mouse on my proper and the pill on my left.

Just a few years in the past, previous to Spotify, I labored on a venture the place the transient was to revamp and re-platform the web site of an organization that was going by way of a large digital transformation part…in simply three months. I used to be co-located with three different designers, however all of the engineers and many of the product managers have been overseas. Everyone on the staff had completely different targets, priorities, and desires, so a number of compromises needed to be made in an effort to ship the work on time.

I needed to determine easy methods to design one thing that hadn’t been carried out earlier than, prioritize what was important to the person expertise, and study to let go of many concepts as a result of we merely didn’t have the time to do all of them.

I spent the primary few days planning a approach for a gaggle of designers and engineers to give attention to pondering and testing modern methods of addressing the primary person wants. The different group targeted on figuring out, designing, and implementing all of the performance that made up the remainder of the platform. 

With a roadmap outlined from the very starting, common check-ins, and clear documentation, we managed to ship every thing on time and proceed to iterate on it after supply (one thing that nearly by no means occurs whenever you work in companies!).

David Lynch

Films are one of many most important issues that spark my creativeness and David Lynch is without doubt one of the administrators that evokes me essentially the most. His work isn’t solely visually gorgeous and weirdly immersive, however what I really like essentially the most is that I can watch his movies and never have the necessity to discover a solution for every thing,  It’s all about the way it makes me really feel, and in regards to the expertise of watching the movie. 

The Moth

Storytelling is a large a part of my work, and The Moth podcast actually helps me to consider the construction of an excellent story and easy methods to current it. The themes of the tales are all completely different and you’ll be laughing out loud one minute and crying three minutes later (sure, I’m that bizarre woman crying within the Tube on a Tuesday morning). 

Nick Crave 

Nick Cave has a publication the place each week he solutions questions followers undergo his website. The solutions are so profound and private that each time I end studying the publication I really feel like I had a tiny peek into his thoughts. It’s inspiring to see artists taking the time to provide again the love that the followers pour into them.

I can’t end with out thanking my greatest design inspiration and my primary supporter, Matias. I’m not saying this as a result of he’s my husband, however he actually is the perfect designer I do know. His dedication, ardour and love for design are contagious and provoking.

One of my favorite books is “Upside Down: A Primer for the Looking-Glass World”  by Eduardo Galeano (Patas Arriba: la Escuela del Mundo al Revés, in Spanish). It’s a tricky learn and never essentially uplifting, however I’d advocate this ebook to everybody focused on studying extra about why issues are the way in which they’re in Latin America (and the remainder of the world).

And lastly, The Modern House Podcast. The Modern House has each designer’s dream house. I spend hours and hours going by way of their listings and imagining residing in one in all their properties. Just a few weeks in the past they launched a podcast the place they talked to designers and designers about their  prime three properties. It’s the proper hear for my commute!

Practice your Spanish by studying my tweets and re-tweets @nnogui. I’m additionally on instagram @nnogui.