Ryan Smith, Product Designer | Spotify Design

If you requested my mother, she would say that it makes complete sense that I’m a designer, regardless that she may wrestle to clarify what I truly do day-to-day. 

From a younger age I used to be at all times asking numerous questions and drawing, constructing with Lego, or sculpting with Play-Doh. For me, being a Product Designer is one of the simplest ways to make use of these muscle tissue of curiosity and creativity. I’m in a position to consistently be taught and provide you with options to advanced issues, and that retains me motivated.

I’m a Product Designer at Spotify, designing experiences for our customers, together with my fellow designers, designing on the Premium design group.

Jokes apart—what I actually do is I work with a group of people that goal to make Spotify Premium essentially the most discoverable and accessible audio membership. We work to ensure that each listener has the correct relationship with Spotify, whilst their wants change.

1. Fresh Flowers: Whether it’s flowers or a home plant, bringing some nature inside is a should.

2. Haribo Gummy Bears: Candy. Snacks. Gotta have one thing inside attain to snack on in the course of the day, and at present, they’re one of the best gummy bears within the recreation.

3. Sony WH-1000XM3 Noise-Canceling Headphones: My extremely biased opinion — they’re one of the best over-ear noise-canceling headphones on your cash. I really like these items.

4. Field Notes Journal: A easy, effectively designed, compact pocket book for note-taking or sketching. Aaron Draplin is nice at what he does.

5. Alex Water Bottle: This is definitely the underside half of the complete water bottle, which may be unscrewed for use as two cups, and makes cleansing it manner simpler.

6. Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse: Similar to the headphones, that is the mouse I stan for. Super ergonomic whereas not being excessive, and it’s extremely customizable.

At my earlier job, I used to be making a reusable card framework that may very well be carried out throughout a whole suite of purposes. The problem was within the scope of the challenge: there have been a number of groups unfold throughout our group that had designs in place for playing cards, which meant numerous preliminary data gathering and syncing. 

The second problem got here into play as I used to be constructing out the framework, after I realized that some groups had been constructing playing cards that went firmly in opposition to the rules that had been being developed. This meant that I wanted to maneuver these groups in the correct path, regardless that I used to be their peer, and never a member of their fast group. Leading whereas not being in an official management place is a ability that I proceed to work on and construct at Spotify; it’s a delicate ability that may get you a good distance in design.

Jamal Crawford + Sue Bird

The two Seattle basketball GOATS.

Jamal is a Seattle native and past being one of the best basketball participant to ever hail from the town, he’s given a lot again to the youth in the neighborhood. Every summer time he places on the Crawsover Pro-Am for the town, the court docket at his alma-mater Rainier Beach High School is known as the Crawford Court, and he’s constantly mentoring up-and-coming basketball expertise in our metropolis.

While Sue isn’t from Seattle, she’s performed for the Storm her total WNBA profession, introduced the town three WNBA titles, and has performed extra WNBA video games than some other athlete. Her greatness on the court docket and her braveness off it’s so inspirational—I can’t watch for the town to erect a statue of her (they higher).

Shea Serrano

If you’re a fan of excellent individuals, but additionally of sports activities and rap music, give him a comply with on Twitter, it’s gold. But extra importantly, go purchase his work. He’s a workers author at The Ringer, however why I put him right here is for what he does outdoors of his day job. If you scroll by way of his Twitter you’ll see what I imply; he’s usually both giving his personal cash to individuals in want or utilizing his platform to boost massive sums for vital organizations. Also, he’s hilarious.

Jordan Peele

A artistic genius. Key & Peele’s last episode aired in September 2015 and Get Out premiered at Sundance in January 2017—how although?! He went from co-starring within the second-best* sketch comedy present of all-time (incomes a Primetime Emmy), to his directorial debut for a movie, which he additionally wrote (touchdown an Academy Award). Also, he went from sketch comedy to horror. Again, how although? It’s really awe-inspiring to me what he’s completed.

*The Chappelle Show is the best sketch comedy present of all-time.

My associate, Reema. If she wasn’t a designer I might have put her as one of many individuals who encourage me — she is my largest supply of inspiration. She makes me need to be higher in all aspects and pushes me to attempt for extra.

Also, shout out to Marshawn Lynch and Vince Carter.

Additionally, should you’re a fan of artists who use their music to inform visible tales, listed below are a few of my favourite music movies:

Missy Elliot — The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)

Tierra Whack — Whack World

Vince Staples — FUN!

Run The Jewels — Don’t Get Captured

Tyler, The Creator — POTATO SALAD

Last however most vital: Please donate should you’re in a position, ensure to educate your self, and work to tell these round you. For these readers within the U.S. — please VOTE. Don’t take with no consideration the ability of your voice and your vote.