FAQs
Some helpful info about me as a person, a designer, a human, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have many references and recommendations that I can provide that will gush about two things, 1) how capable I am as a designer, and 2) how patient, kind, and humble I am as a designer. I'll be specific, there is no attachment or ego in my designs, I aim to provide the best possible options/solutions for the problem, and I know that it won't be perfect round one, or even round 10. We get to good enough, and continuously improve. Feedback can be either helpful (and incorporated) or not helpful (and thus ignored), but it is always welcome. I am here for you, your product, and your users.
I listen to, advocate for, assist, and stay out of the way of the work of my team. I mentor those near me so that they (and I) may grow as people. I am collaborative and adaptable. I believe in setting clear expectations while empowering my team to take ownership of their work. I value open communication, providing constructive feedback, and creating an environment where creativity can thrive. For example, I prioritize one-on-one meetings to understand individual goals and challenges, ensuring each team member feels heard and supported. I also use project management tools to maintain transparency and alignment within the team. This approach helps me adjust my leadership style based on the unique needs of the project or individual team members. I am flexible, approachable, and focused on outcomes while focusing on practical actions and sticking to my principles.
I foster a sense of purpose and ownership in their work. I make it a priority to recognize achievements and celebrate successes publicly. I also provide growth opportunities, like offering challenging projects that align with their interests or facilitating professional development. For example, during a recent project, I ensured team members had clear goals and connected their contributions to the larger organizational vision. By showing how their work made an impact, I kept morale high and engagement strong. I also encouraged regular brainstorming sessions, which energized the team and led to innovative solutions. I focus on recognition, purpose, and personal development—key motivators in the workplace, and when possible, monetary bonuses or raises work best.
I have many years experience in many domains, fields, industries, products owing to my thrist for knowledge and my propensity to take on several projects at once. So if it exists and needs design input, I've likely done that thing already before.
I have been in school full time for most of my life, while also working full time, and running my own design consultancy. I timebox my tasks, I have a huge amount of stamina for projects/problems that intrigue me. The more challenging and novel, the better.
I don't typically put stock in behavioral tests, but I will say that I strongly identify with my results being generally INTJ. That outlines quite a bit about me with a high degree of accuracy.
First off, don't give me any lines about the median salary for my zip code. I am looking for full-time positions that can offer at least $200,000, as befits someone of my tenure, erudition, output/outcomes, and skill.
Stability, (mutual) respect, a design challenge, the ability to put down and spread roots in the organization, the opportunity to grow my skills, oversight, career/titles, and a group of decent comrades with which to make something awesome.
FUQs | A Satire
So you're curious what questions I get asked, and usually dodge, frequently?
They are mostly canned & unimaginative. These are my favorites.
So buckle up, shit's about to get real candid.
Frequently (Un)answered Questions
First off, this isn't a question, it's a command, and a painfully lazy way to start an interview. Also, who/what do you think the contents of this site pertain to?
And let the ego-stroking begin. Short answer is I don't, I mean really who wants to work their life away? Long and sort of sincere answer, you have an open position publically listed that I found that meets my criteria and for which I believe I am qualified, which is why we are even talking in the first place. That should really be enough, so let's skip the foreplay.
Fuck no, I don't do free work. Look at my portfolio.
Should've sued that guy. He is Jewish, so I suppose he felt comfortable asking. But my question is either of which way, Jew or Gentile, Jew or... what, Nazi? I know, my first name is a derivative of Yeshua, and my surname is Germanic. So... Shalom my guy? I didn't get the job. That was one Steve Fuerstein of SportsBiz, in case you are interested.
One of the few interview questions I actually liked. I would say "hola, como estas, que es tu nombre lil dude?"
No, it is the size that I made it. You don't really want it bigger, it's not always better. Sometimes your super cool logo gets in the way of actual content your users need to get to.
Because I like it.
It's the shade of my irises and I wanted to leave an indelible part of myself on your site forever. It's one of a million blues, just pick one, no one else notices or cares.
This is not rocket science, nor does it require an MBA. Just talk to people with basic mutual respect and listen, you'd be surprised how open people will be with a little humor and candor and REAL talk. You open up and they will too. It's the same with leading, guess what? (Insert your gasp here) People just want to be treated with a modicum of respect. Truly shocking, I know.
What are you paying? Seriously, I give you all my information and then some, and you can't even be direct? Just tell me what you can pay.
Auto-response, "Please see the Jira/Trello board for all current work ticket updates and statuses". I will come to you with relevant and note-worthy updates and questions as they arise.
I'm not sure, but having a home is a part of it. I like design, I'm good at design, but I'm not going to let it consume me or my identity as a person. I love music and play many instruments, but I'm not just that one thing. I give myself fully to that which requires it, not that which demands it.
Translation: "We failed to properly plan, didn't include you soon enough, are behind ourselves, and/or over-promised, and now we will look bad unless you work ALOT of overtime." The only acceptable answer is: you tell the client that either, A) the deadline will not be met as agreed upon (because not one single deadline is real or meaningful and is totally arbitrary and movable), or B) we will not deliver the full amount of promised work at x_date, the remaining y_% will be ready in z_timeframe (remember not to over-promise here yet again).
Thanks for asking weirdo. Why is this often required? Also, the options are usually male, female, and sometimes other, BUT "gender" is how one presents, which would be as a "man", "woman", and the like. "Biological Sex" is categorized as "Male", "Female", and a handful of statistical outliers. So, if you REALLY MUST KNOW, I have a penis and testes between my legs, and apparently both X and Y chromsomes. Also, my pronouns should be obvious, but your can refer to me as Your Grace, Your Majesty, or Your Excellency as you prefer.
Again, you're a fucking weirdo. You have no reason, nor right, to know what I put in my body, nor for what reason. I know, I know, this is the United States of America and workers have no fucking rights, but I stand by this being an immoral and deeply invasive demand. For the record, I'm clean, not pissing hot over here. Also, I work 100% remote, from home, so I'm not a liability to your company anyway.