#113 Making a difference as a designer w/Rachel Wu

Anfi and Rachel delve into the creative journey of a designer, with Rachel sharing her experience of how she approached a pitch, exploring non-linear approaches to design thinking, the value of diverse backgrounds, and the art of storytelling in design.

This episode was recorded in partnership with ⁠⁠Wix Studio.⁠

Episode Timestamps:

0:35 - Episode Intro

1:45 - Collaboration with Wix Studio

3:07 - Can you share your story as a designer? What led you to work with me at Mews on guest experiences?

4:58 - What inspired Rachel to become a product designer?

8:39 - Why did Anfi decide to discuss this episode’s topic with Rachel?

13:03 - Observing, noticing, and interpreting signals: The concept of hearing those whispers. What does that mean for you? Describe this process.

16:55 - Mapping insights into the bigger picture: Rachel’s approach to research, exploring solution spaces, and analogous industries. How they look at similar problems in other areas before returning to the same space for competitor research.

18:58 - Taking a non-linear approach instead of following the standard process: Abstract thinking and reverse engineering.

21:04 - Coming to design from a different background: Is it a drawback? Should designers follow standard paths? Anfi shares her experience at her university design program and the diversity of student backgrounds.

24:15 - Why did you choose high fidelity for the pitch? What was your thought process?

29:03 - Storytelling: How do you approach telling stories in a cohesive yet engaging way that keeps listeners interested until the end? (Song analogy)

32:40 - Extra thoughts: Presenting your voice to others and then hearing it back—how this helps identify areas to adjust, cut, or elaborate on. Why verbalizing thoughts is key to the feedback process.

42:52 - Why are you so good with words?

47:08 - Closing thoughts on imposter syndrome as a designer.

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