Today we’d like to introduce you to Russ Ryan.
Hi Russ, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Received a BFA in Graphic & Interactive Communications from the Ringling College of Art & Design in 2006 and moved to Austin for an internship at an advertising agency. While digital advertising was an interesting and challenging career. Working in advertising was not as engaging or aligned with my design education. My interest in user experience design, technology and products led me to Charles Schwab and onto other jobs in user experience and/or as a product designer. As my experience and knowledge grew, I started to notice that the collaborative work on design and development teams had more impact at small start-ups. I found that working on smaller teams was more rewarding and offered more insightful work experiences. I began researching and implementing practices described in my field as Lean UX, both at work and as a volunteer. Personally, I have found that real research, and design thinking lead to the most interesting solutions. I find conversations with customers who use products that I work on to be very engaging. Research interviews can be very insightful and really help form an empathic connection with customers from different types of backgrounds. Over more than a decade I’ve learned enough about my field of work to mentor others and I honestly enjoy opportunities to collaborate with junior designers both professionally and as a volunteer.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, there were challenges along the way. Transitioning from a graphic designer to working at an advertising agency was challenging at first. The opportunity taught me a lot about interactive marketing and how to collaborate with copy writers. Later transitioning from a user interface designer to a user experience designer was a much more lengthy, challenging process. I think the best way to describe the “struggle” is by pointing out that highly skilled individuals usually don’t just pick out a degree as a teenager and follow a linear path into the workforce. There is often a lot of drive and reinvention that happens along the way. As an individual, you really have to find inspiration and push yourself to go through those motions.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The mobile apps, websites, games and software you use daily are considered products. Personally I enjoy creating and improving products that make life a little easier or enjoyable for people. There’s a big difference between just say marketing a product and planning out how a product actually functions. The latter is much more technical, collaborative and usually much more interesting. Over the years career opportunities in Financial Technology, Big Data and Real Estate have enabled me to specialize in a space known as Fin Tech. Currently I am working at Realized Holdings where elements of Real Estate and Financial sectors converge. Helping people understand how to save money to reach personal goals is very rewarding. I’m very proud of past work on a robo investing product Schwab Intelligent Portfolios and current work to develop a digital product for the 1031 Exchange market. I do at times see myself as different than others. Complex challenges are learning opportunities for design leaders with the right perspective. I’ve also learned that it is just as important to have the support of an organization you trust.
What does success mean to you?
Developing skills, and learning by taking risks in pursuit of your goals. Just by taking those first step, you’ll learn and be a step closer to your goal. Success favors the bold.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@letter18.com
- Website: https://www.letter18.com
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