Tome's Henri Liriani | Hiring Startup Design Teams | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Design has become a crucial part of startups' success, necessitating the integration of design principles and processes from the early stages. Founders must recognize the value of design and learn how to hire and build an effective design team.

Key Insights

• 🎨 Design is now a critical part of a company's success, and startups need to incorporate it from the early stages.
• 🎨 Building a strong design team involves finding individuals with a blend of visual and interaction design skills, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to collaborate and take feedback.
• 🎨 Startups should prioritize bringing in a designer early on to avoid a painful recruiting process and ensure they have a voice for design.
• 💦 Working with a design consultant or leveraging a consultant during the search for a designer can bridge the gap and provide guidance.
• 🎨 Startups should evaluate candidates based on their portfolios, looking for skills in visual design, interaction design, problem-solving, and prototyping.
• 🎟️ Founders need to consider the culture and values of a company when evaluating candidates and ensure alignment with the problem statement and mission.
• ❓ Proximity, both physical and mental, to the initial designer is crucial for effective collaboration and communication.
• 🎨 Founders should be prepared to make a competitive offer to attract top design talent and should emphasize the opportunity for designers to make a significant impact.
• 📽️ The interview process and initial projects given to candidates can significantly impact their decision to join a company.

Transcript

Read and summarize the transcript of this video on Glasp Reader (beta).

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the role of design in startups changed over time?

In the past, design was often seen as separate from the technical aspects of a product. However, with the consumerization of enterprise software, design has become integral to a company's success from the early stages.

Q: What is Tome offering as a visual storytelling tool?

Tome is a visual storytelling tool for work that uses live data, drag and drop tiles, and AI to help users create compelling narratives. It can be used for presentations, websites, portfolios, and more.

Q: What qualities should startups look for in their first designer?

Startups should look for designers who have a strong blend of visual and interaction design skills, as well as problem-solving abilities. They should also have autonomy and confidence in their design skills and be able to collaborate and take feedback.

Q: How can startups attract and recruit top design talent?

Startups should make a competitive offer, considering market data and anchoring to a percentage. They should also highlight the opportunity for the designer to make a significant impact by being part of the foundational team.

Summary

In this episode of the Gray Matter podcast, Katie Amaya from Greylock and Henry Lyriani, co-founder and chief product officer of storytelling platform Tome, discuss the importance of design in startups and how to build an effective design team. They cover topics such as the evolution of design roles, the role of design in a company's product, hiring designers, evaluating candidates, and the challenges and benefits of building a design team. They also discuss the impact of design on the user experience and the success of a company.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has design evolved over time in technology startups?

Years ago, there was a split between UI design and UX design, but now one person can handle both roles more efficiently. Having all aspects of design under one roof leads to better product outcomes because product decisions can be closely coordinated with how something looks and works.

Q: What does Tome offer as a visual storytelling tool?

Tome is a visual storytelling tool for work that uses live data, drag and drop tiles, and AI to help users weave a compelling narrative. It can be as visually interesting as a high fidelity video and as easy to build as a document, and it is commonly used for presentations, websites, portfolios, and idea sharing.

Q: How does design play into a company's product offering?

Design is crucial in shaping the end user experience and ensuring that it meets their needs and expectations. Design is about thinking through the mental state of users, organizing information, and guiding them through the product. If a product requires interaction, design becomes even more important in creating an engaging and intuitive experience.

Q: How can founders find and recruit their first designer?

Founders should start recruiting for a designer early and not wait too long. They should tap into their network, including people they used to work with, advisors, and investors. It's important to educate founders about the importance of design and help them understand the critical role it plays in the success of a company. Consider leveraging a design consultant to bridge the gap until a full-time designer is hired.

Q: What skills should founders look for when evaluating a designer's portfolio?

Founders should consider the designer's visual design, interaction design, layout, animation, and problem-solving skills. They can evaluate these skills by comparing the designer's work to experiences they personally enjoyed and assessing how they feel in reaction to the work. It's important to look for a designer who can execute well and align with the company's product goals.

Q: What qualities should an early designer have in a startup context?

An early designer needs to have humility, collaboration skills, autonomy, and self-confidence in their design skills. They should be able to take constructive feedback, communicate their design thinking, and advocate for the importance of design in the company. They should also have system thinking skills to make informed decisions and recognize patterns in design choices.

Q: What mistakes do teams make during the designer search process?

One mistake is waiting too long to start recruiting for a designer, which can slow down product launches. Another mistake is not being prepared to convince a designer of the importance of design in the company. Waiting too long to bring in a designer can also lead to a painful recruiting process. It's important to start early and have a clear vision for the role of design in the company.

Q: What are the main selling points for founders to attract their first designer?

Founders should offer a competitive compensation package and make a compelling offer. They should anchor their offer to market data and be prepared to go above and beyond for extraordinary talent. They should highlight the opportunity for the designer to make a real impact, shape the product experience, and play a pivotal role in the company's mission.

Q: What questions should candidates ask and what should they consider when evaluating a company for a design role?

Candidates should consider the company's mission, problem-solving approach, founders' backgrounds and values, investor and board track records, and company culture set by the founding team. They should also assess the company's decision-making process and whether it aligns with their own approach. Proximity to the founding team and the opportunity to shape the product and work closely with engineering can also be important factors to consider.

Q: Are there any limitations or challenges specific to hiring designers compared to other roles?

Time difference and language barrier can be significant challenges in hiring designers. It's generally recommended to have designers in close proximity, both physically and mentally, to the founding team for effective collaboration and communication. The relationship between designers and engineers is crucial, and close collaboration is essential to aligning product vision and execution.

Q: How does design impact the user experience and the success of a company?

Design plays a critical role in shaping the user experience and how customers interact with a company and its product. Good design can enhance the usability, aesthetics, and overall satisfaction of users, leading to a positive brand perception and customer loyalty. In today's era, design has become a key differentiator and a crucial component of a company's success.

Takeaways

Design has become an integral part of startups, and founders need to prioritize and invest in building a strong design team. Starting early in the search for a designer and finding someone with the right skills, mindset, and fit for the company is essential. Designers should have a strong foundation in visual and interaction design, problem-solving skills, systems thinking, and the ability to collaborate and advocate for their design work. Founders should provide a competitive offer, highlight the opportunity for designers to make an impact, and ensure alignment with the company's mission and values. Effective collaboration between designers and engineers is crucial for success. Design plays a critical role in shaping the user experience, and good design can lead to customer satisfaction, loyalty, and overall company success.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Design has evolved to be an integral aspect of a company's product, with the emphasis on the end user experience.

• Startups need to incorporate good design into their core product offering to ensure success.

• Building a design team involves finding individuals with strong visual and interaction design skills, as well as problem-solving abilities.