Valerie Downs

Hi there, Valerie! Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what you do?

Thanks for having me! I'm currently a design consultant helping startups of all stages build and scale their product. Prior to that, I've been a designer, researcher, and "experience architect" for +12 years. Working for awesome companies like Vercel, Dribbble, and Accenture. Outside of work, I love all things art and design, especially street photography.

How did your journey to becoming a designer begin?

I can't remember a time when I wasn't creating something. I spent my days drawing on the computer and testing the limits of Microsoft Publisher. I got my degree in Graphic Design in 2012. Over the years I've made my way from web designer, to front-end dev, to UX design.

What do you enjoy the most about working as a designer?

Working together and jamming on a shared problem. Especially with engineers and product partners. We all care deeply and bring different skills and perspectives, iterating towards something incredible! It's like playing in a rock band, where every instrument comes together to create music.

What do you hate the most about it?

There is never enough time! There are so many fun opportunities and problems to be solved! Some days work-life balance feels like a challenge when all you want to do is design!

Could you share a tip with other designers?

Share early and often, even when it feels bad or it doesn't feel perfect. Hard design skills are important, but I encourage you to lean into collaboration, seek different perspectives, and learn how to be an awesome partner and teammate.