Give us a little background on yourself, we know it took you a bit of time between graduating and writing your Master’s thesis. Can you give us some insight into what the thesis was about and how New York may have distracted you from focusing on it?
Ok, I’ll start with the background part and then try to keep the thesis/grad school rant short
(update: I failed):
I’m originally from Bogotá, Colombia and moved to the Miami area in 1997 when I was 13. I went to undergrad in that area (full ride at Florida International University), where I double-majored in Fine Arts and Art History.
By my senior year, I had already realized that I wasn’t fulfilled by making things that were not utilized with a purpose (which is not to downplay the social and cultural role that art plays; I think it’s a pivotal one), so I found a 1-year certificate in Digital Art and Design at the Toronto School of Art in Canada. After finishing that, I returned to Florida, where I worked as a freelance UX and graphic designer for small clients.
I applied to grad school programs that merged design with business strategy (without knowing what design thinking even was) because I saw the need for designers and creative thinking to have a seat at the table. The first school I finished an application for, the Savannah College of Art & Design in Savannah, Ga (SCAD) accepted me for their MFA in Design Management, and that’s how I ended up there.
Design Management is a very theory-intensive program that aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of the design research process, effective communication for designers, diffusion of innovations and the role design plays in it, and of course, design thinking. My thesis, which took a painstakingly long time to complete, was an examination of the diffusion of the smartphone as a successful design innovation, and the unintended consequences it brought with it, as well as a framework for a participatory design workshop that applies scenario planning around potential innovations with the goal of finding possible unintended consequences during the product ideation or development cycle, rather than after the product is launched.
Having moved to New York when I finished classes in the summer of 2015, I thought all I had to do was finish writing the document, test the framework a couple of times, and call it a day. That said, finding a job and an apartment in this city is a full-time job in itself, as is trying to keep up with the social and logistical pitfalls that this city can bring. What’s more, leaving the academic setting provided me with new challenges that I didn’t have before, such as finding people to test my framework with who would be willing to do it for free.
I finally defended in November of 2017, after dragging my feet on it more than I ever had on anything else. I do not recommend doing it this way.
Tell us about the most fun project you have worked on?
During the spring of 2013, I went to the SCAD campus in the south of France for a study abroad quarter (SCAD operates in quarters rather than semesters). During this time (which being in France is pretty fun as it is) we were working with SCAD’s Collaborative Learning Center, where they recruit classes to work directly with clients on real, actionable design problems. Our client was Allure Energy, which makes a smart thermostat along the lines of Nest. They wanted us to conduct design research around attitudes and uses of climate controls, smartphones, and daily commutes of European customers, and how they differed from the US base. This was a crash course in design research for pretty much all of us, and as the only MFA grad student in a group of 20 mostly undergrads, I was given the task of managing basically every aspect of the project.
Not only did we get to travel to five different cities and a few rural towns in Europe, interviewing, surveying, and observing people in different contexts, but I found it really rewarding to guide a team to a successful project, especially when undergrad students in Europe an away from home can be… Let’s say easily distracted.
What type of projects would you like to work on here at EY?
I find that I kind of exist at the intersection of design thinking and UX design (and I’ve been known to make pixels look attractive every now and again). I feel comfortable working on both of these arenas, so it’s really great to see that the way we are structured gives us some freedom to explore these areas equally, and we are not put into a bucket that says “you can only do this.”
I don’t have any real aspirations as for the type of project that comes my way, but I would like to have variety overall, both in the type of work (where I can do some UX or flex my design thinking muscles depending on the project) and also in the type of client (knowing realistically that we as part of EY attract a particular type of client for the most part, but it’s good to see that that is slowly changing).
You are a proud owner of an amazing leather jacket, give us the story behind that?
The jacket is brand new! I’ve always wanted a classic Schott NYC biker jacket (they’re the company that came up with this design–the true OG’s), but they are expensive as all hell. However, whenever I start a new job, I treat myself to something that, while expensive, is an investment piece. So I shelled out quite a bit of cash for this, but I hope that I never have to buy a leather jacket again, and that my grandchildren fight over who gets grandpa’s awesome jacket when I kick the bucket (and yes, I will be wearing that bad boy well into my 100’s).
Any other large purchases in the near future?
Oof, this question is a bad influence.
While I am trying to save money aggressively and settle my current debts as a priority, pretty much all my Apple devices are due for a refresh, and I waver back and forth on the Apple Watch Series 4. It’s funny, I think that Series 1-3 are actually quite clunky and ugly (no offense to those who currently wear one), but the slight design tweaks given by Apple to the Series 4 give it a more “put together” look that I find myself digging more and more. I might splurge on that and a new iPad, but first I need to make sure my student loans payments are taken care of, because SCAD is not cheap, my friends.
Last question about the jacket, if it had its own theme song, what would it be?
Gotta be “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins (sadly not a song on the playlist because Mr. Loggins has always been a beard guy, not a mustache man).
Thanks for organizing and starting up the EY Movember initiative, why did you decide to get involved?
Well, when Matt mentioned no-shave November, I remembered Movember. And, if we’re being honest with ourselves, we would terrify all our clients if we didn’t tend to our beards for a whole month. I know at least that I would end up looking like one of those Geico cavemen by the 20th. I think growing a mustache, while decidedly very Tom Selleck-like, would be a better fit for a client-facing office.
As for the cause, I came from a nonprofit background, having worked at DoSomething.org as a consultant from 2015 to 2017, and I’ve learned that these things do make a difference. My Movember cause is aimed at raising awareness towards the suicide rate in men. Because of antiquated gender roles, us straight cis males are prone to believe that we should just “man up” and “tough it out” whenever experiencing hardships, and that’s just dumb; if you’re going through something, your assigned or chosen gender shouldn’t play a role into whether or not you seek out help.
Also, my girlfriend told me she likes mustaches (weirdo), so I also know I’ll be OK there.
Note 1: Movember is an awesome organization, but their efforts, due to the nature of their brand, focus only on men’s health initiatives, from prostate cancer to the mental health issues I mention above. I do wish it could cater to other gender-neutral/women-focused/LGBTQ causes that still need our attention, but for one month, I can give the guys some of my focus. If you want to learn about ways you can get involved to help people of any gender identity or any other cause that is close to your heart, hit me up. I’m always happy to share what I know about that space.
Note 2: Mental health is a big F’ing deal. My ex-CEO (formerly DoSomething) is now CEO of Crisis Text Line. If you need to talk with trained counselors 24-7 100% anonymously (won’t even show up on your phone bills), text HELP to 741-741.
A wormhole transports you back a dozen or so years to a meeting with your younger self. What record do you play him to prepare for the future?
Cheat option: A spoken voice recording of myself, giving him(me) some pointers on how to navigate the next 12 years (and maybe a couple of investment tips)
Real option: Probably something by Leonard Cohen (who I wish had had a mustache, but alas…). Most of my taste in music was pretty well-defined by 22, so I already knew and loved the music I love today for the most part, but Leonard Cohen’s music is maybe a bit mature for 22-year old ears, and his lyrics were always thought-provoking and beautiful. I bet 2006 me would learn a couple of things about life quicker than he actually did if he had listened to Leonard Cohen.
LATEST MIX
Movember 2018
Songs on this playlist are all by artists who rocked wonderful 'staches at some point during their career. Created for EY Digital's Movember team: https://moteam.co/ey-digital?mc=1