↵

AMA: I’m Mig Reyes, a designer at Basecamp.

over 8 years ago from Mig Reyes, Exploring art, technology and design at Basecamp.

  • Keaton TaylorKeaton Taylor, over 8 years ago

    Hey Mig, thanks for doing this, I'll jump right in:

    What was your experience moving from Marketing to product design? What kind of hurdles did you face and what kind of lessons do you feel like you've learned taking that journey?

    0 points
    • Mig ReyesMig Reyes, over 8 years ago

      Hey Keaton,

      Fun question, and one I think about pretty often.

      Moving from Marketing design to Product design felt, at times, like changing careers. Marketing design is selling something you make. Product design is making something you sell.

      There’s so many lessons learned, and I’m still learning everyday. Here’s a few off the top of my head.

      • In Marketing design, I learned to spend a lot of time crafting stories and carrying a narrative. I worked a bit slower, and spend more time crafting words and visuals.
      • In Product design, I learned to move quicker, try different iterations faster, and allow myself to have my work feel less precious. Product design isn’t about winning awards or being noticed, it’s about getting out of people’s way and doing the right thing as opposed to the most clever thing.
      • Marketing design is “what do people want to know?”
      • Product design is “what do people need to do?”

      Of course, this is a huge topic with plenty of opinions, room for debates, and plenty more perspectives. But these were a few quick ones that come to mind.

      1 point