Spotify Design Team
To showcase our band members, from time to time we put a Spotifier within the limelight. Today’s headliner is Kathleen Namgung, Product Designer for the Marketplace staff in New York. Put in your headphones, hit play, and browse alongside!
Questions & Answers
Why are you a designer?
I began off pursuing dental college – two years into undergrad aiding at a laboratory and shadowing dentists, I noticed it wasn’t what I used to be obsessed with and set off to discover a craft that may carry me pleasure.
I really like that design motivates me to remain curious – I get the chance day by day to consider how I could make a distinction, even on the smallest scale, by means of artistic problem-solving. What initially drew me to design was how sturdy and multi-dimensional the method was, and that’s nonetheless the one factor that excites me at the moment.
Describe your job at Spotify with out utilizing the phrases “design” or “designer.”
Our staff strives to create an expertise that helps the creators of our platform put their finest foot ahead. My function is to pay attention and advocate for our customers, utilizing empathy and creativity to ensure that we’re supporting our creators in a significant manner.
Show us an image of your desk, and clarify why it appears the way it does.
1. Notebook and paper:
It is a literal mess in right here – I do all the things from doodling, to taking notes, to my grocery record. I don’t know what it’s about utilizing pen and paper however I simply at all times must have a pocket book close by. The one which I’m presently utilizing is from 7115 by Szeki.
2. Double-walled mug:
This one is made by Troy Yoshimoto, a Brooklyn-based ceramicist. My favourite tea is Puer tea.
3. Pineapple mild:
Because it’s summer time. I’ll change this with a Christmas tree after Halloween.
4. iPad:
I primarily use this for illustrations. I’m attempting to get again into drawing extra this yr, however I’ve additionally been utilizing it to play Among Us (discover it within the app retailer) with my associates recently. If you haven’t already, undoubtedly test it out – it’s a fantastic quarantine sport.
5. Fan:
It’s been sizzling, however excited for fall!
6. Books and journal:
Things I’m presently studying. I’d extremely extremely suggest Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez, it’s a ebook bringing consciousness to how knowledge bias may end up in a world designed for males.
7. Earbuds with twine:
I can by no means get Bluetooth earbuds to attach in an affordable period of time earlier than conferences so dug these out of the underside of my drawers to make use of.
Tell us a couple of time you beat an intimidating design problem.
Changing the expectations of shoppers or groups who didn’t have expertise working with product designers was a giant problem in my earlier job. The lack of awareness would typically result in restricted resourcing, which meant I wasn’t given the time required to assist considerate design options for his or her initiatives. So a giant a part of my function as a designer was steering the shopper in the direction of understanding my function and their very own wants.
Having them take part in my course of by inviting them to brainstorms and having open conversations, resembling stakeholder interviews, went a great distance in giving me the readability that preliminary briefs typically lacked, and a deeper understanding of design for the shopper.
Communicating and educating stakeholders and companions as a designer is a crucial ability because it builds belief and offers design a seat on the desk. It’s one thing I proceed to work on at Spotify.
Name three non-designers you’re feeling impressed by when designing.
Eva Chen
I’ve been an enormous fan of hers for years. As somebody who additionally identifies as an Asian American lady, it’s actually inspiring to have figures like her in positions that want extra illustration.
Yuna Kim
Her nickname isn’t Queen Yuna with out cause – as a former determine skater, her performances at all times motivated me to follow more durable. But extra importantly, it’s exhausting to not be impressed by her dedication and fervour in her skating that received Korea’s first Olympic gold medal in girls’s determine skating.
Phoebe Philo
She’s made a huge effect within the style trade through the span of her profession together with her “back-to-reality”, user-centric strategy to style. I really like that her empathy is evident in her merchandise – by bringing performance to the forefront, her designs aren’t solely lovely however designed to empower girls to decorate for themselves.
What would your self-portrait appear like?
Any ultimate shout-outs or stuff you’d wish to share?
Andrew Kung (@andrew_kung)
A Brooklyn-based photographer, who just lately launched a brand new photograph sequence known as To be Seen — a venture that challenges the stereotype that Asian Americans are a monolith by showcasing the several types of magnificence and individuality of AAs. This matter is particularly close to and expensive to me so please test it out!
Also actually wish to shout out Tamara Hilmes, my present supervisor for being an incredible mentor and associate throughout my time right here at Spotify.
You can discover me @namgung.yoon on Instagram, I largely submit about my rabbits.
Credits
Spotify Design Team
We’re a cross-disciplinary staff of people that like to create nice experiences and make significant connections between listeners and creators.