Director of Product Design (Citymapper)

The Director of Product Design at Citymapper is responsible for leading the product design team, ensuring high-quality interactive design delivery, championing user research, and collaborating closely with product managers and engineers. The role involves overseeing the entire project lifecycle, making strategic decisions that balance user needs with business goals, and fostering a creative environment.

To qualify for the Director of Product Design role at Citymapper, candidates should have over 10 years of experience in product design and a proven track record of delivering consumer products. Experience leading design teams, working with executive leaders, and a deep understanding of user experience are critical. While knowledge of transportation is a plus, it's not mandatory.

Collaboration is key for the Director of Product Design at Citymapper. This role involves partnering closely with product managers to define roadmaps, collaborating with engineers to understand technical constraints, and reinforcing a teamwork-oriented approach through all phases of the design process, ensuring a seamless transition from design to delivery.

Essential skills for the Director of Product Design at Citymapper include strong leadership capabilities, excellent communication and presentation skills, and proficiency in user-centered design principles. The ability to abstract complexity, work with data, and effectively manage priority tasks and features in a fast-paced environment are also crucial.

As the Director of Product Design at Citymapper, you can expect a dynamic and mission-driven workplace culture. The team values creativity, collaboration, and a passion for improving urban mobility. You’ll enjoy a supportive atmosphere where your leadership and design abilities can truly shine, alongside opportunities for professional growth.

When prioritizing design projects, I use a combination of user feedback, business goals, and technical feasibility. By engaging with stakeholders, I ensure alignment on priorities and continuously assess project impacts to adapt to changing demands.

My approach to user research involves both qualitative and quantitative methods. I advocate for regular user interviews and usability testing to gather insights that inform design decisions. Additionally, I analyze user data to identify trends and pain points that can enhance the user experience.

I foster an open and collaborative environment where team members feel valued and heard. Regular check-ins, brainstorming sessions, and recognizing achievements help to keep everyone motivated. Encouraging personal and professional growth through learning opportunities also invigorates the team's spirit.

My design philosophy has evolved through hands-on experience in diverse projects and learning from both successful and challenging outcomes. I emphasize simplicity, empathy, and functionality, believing that great design should elevate user experience regardless of complexity.

I view feedback as a valuable part of the design process. I actively seek and embrace constructive criticism, using it to refine and improve my designs. Engaging with colleagues and stakeholders fosters a collaborative review process that leads to better outcomes.

One project I led involved designing a mobile app feature that improved user navigation. From initial user research and wireframing, to collaborating with developers through the implementation phase, I ensured that user insights directly influenced design choices, resulting in a successful launch and positive feedback.

When conflicts arise with engineers, I approach them with a solution-oriented mindset. Open communication is key; I listen to their constraints while advocating for user needs, focusing on finding common ground and ensuring we meet both the design and technical specifications.

I prefer using tools like Figma and Sketch as they facilitate real-time collaboration and feedback. These tools enable me to create and share prototypes efficiently and iterate designs based on user testing and stakeholder input, making them essential in my workflow.

To ensure my designs align with user needs and business objectives, I advocate for a design thinking process that incorporates user research alongside business strategy. Regularly consulting with stakeholders and iterating based on feedback allows for designs that fulfill both criteria.

A significant challenge was balancing rapid iteration with thorough user testing. I overcame this by implementing a structured yet flexible testing schedule, allowing for quick adjustments based on user feedback. Embracing a culture of learning helped my team navigate obstacles effectively.