How to become a product designer (with @jordankromwell)
The Melon community thrives with professional designers and digital entrepreneurs. Web design is a complex venture, and Melon can be the perfect place to help you get started and stay on track with your learning process. We interviewed Jordan, a Paris-based professional web and product designer & founder of his own digital agency Timeless Digital which specializes in helping businesses skyrocket. Jordan is also a power Melon user & community member. Want to become a web or product designer? Keep reading Jordan's tips and advice!
- Tell us about your design journey!
Jordan: I started my design journey during a time when YouTube wasn’t the go-to resource it is now. While pursuing my education, I taught myself web design and Photoshop online in my free time. I earned a double master’s in Marketing and Management from a business school. I began my career working with top brands like Nike, Givenchy, and Electronic Arts in their Product Marketing and Brand departments before joining a digital agency specializing in brand content as a Digital Project Manager. I was still learning in my free time and eventually started my own e-commerce business four years ago. That’s when I realized the significance of having a strong visual identity and a user-friendly website. As a self-taught designer, I honed my skills through trial-and-error and online courses and resources, like Flux-Academy, the Designership, and Awwwards Academy, to name a few.
- What are some tools you can’t live without in your work life?
Jordan: Notion for our entire system (CRM, Project Management, SOPs, Client Personal Dashboard), Slack for our internal and external communications, Figma, Webflow, and Melon. Melon has been a game-changer since I discovered it: as an entrepreneur, I need to stay up-to-date on various topics across multiple platforms, and Melon has allowed me to curate all the relevant content in one place. What’s even more exciting is the growing community on the platform. Anyone can curate and filter quality content and share it with others, making it an ideal learning place. With social media often filled with superficial content, Melon brings clarity to the noise. It is a valuable resource for me to learn and get inspired.
- What has been the most interesting and exciting project you’ve worked on?
Jordan: Every opportunity to help a business thrive and grow is interesting and exciting. From simpler to more complex solutions, every project is unique. Let’s say the most interesting and exciting parts of a project are the onboarding when you’re about to start building something and, finally, when our clients are about to launch and conquer the world!
- What are some challenges in web design people may not know about?
Jordan: One thing people may not realize about web design is that it’s not just about creating a pretty website. It’s about creating a website that supports a company’s overall branding and marketing strategy. A website must be integrated into a company’s system to be effective. At Timeless Digital, we don’t just build websites. We build businesses. We connect websites to marketing, sales, CRM, and other vital tools that help businesses support their efforts. This requires a deep understanding of a company’s goals and how they want their website to fit into their overall strategy. It can be a challenging and complex process.
- And what's the most rewarding part of your job?
Jordan: The most rewarding part of our work is seeing how our solutions positively impact our clients’ businesses. Seeing the «aha» moment when a client’s mind clicks and they fully understand how our solution will benefit their business is incredibly satisfying. Then seeing them grow and thrive on their social media posts and stories after launch makes us proud and grateful to be a part of their journey.
- What advice do you have for aspiring web designers & what are the qualities needed for success?
Jordan: My advice would be to focus on technical skills and understanding business and marketing principles. It will help you in your career and your clients in their success. And also, never stop learning, or you’ll become outdated in no time, as this is a fast-growing field with new technologies every 2 days. Traits essential for success in this field include:
Creativity
Attention to detail
Problem-solving skills
The ability to communicate effectively with clients and team members.
Melon is a great first step for anyone wanting to learn web design or product management: because learning should be fun, social and seamless! Check out Jordan's digital museum on Melon to get inspired - and sign up to build your own!
Keywords: web design, product design, user experience, user interface, graphic design, design beginner, web design tips, product design tips, branding.
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