CREATIVE DIRECTOR // PRODUCT DESIGNER
Ryan Mott
Hello there! I'm a Creative Director and Product Designer. I craft useful solutions by listening, learning, and inspiring others, with the help of some very talented colleagues. I believe in taking the work seriously, but not yourself. Adding something new to the universe, bringing people with diverse skillsets together, and putting in the work, to build something greater than the sum of its parts, are what drive me. In the workplace and in life, I strive to live by wisdom of Bill & Ted when they told the world to "be excellent to each other."
Specialties
Creative Direction, Product Design, Design Management, Design-Thinking, User Experience, Workshop Facilitation, Coaching & Mentoring
Me, At A Glance
PROFESSIONAL
Work Style & Design Approach
Design is more than solving problems; it’s the search for the delicate balance of beauty and effortless experiences. I translate ideas, requirements, goals, timelines, budgets, and features, etc. into a meaningful vision that unifies clients, teams, and leaders — and then I go and build it. Visualizing a solution that considers the larger context surrounding a challenge is one of the ways I focus our efforts on value and outcomes, rather than opinions. And, like a band creating a great album, building a meaningful experience requires the push and pull of each team member; from designers to developers and business leaders and clients.
I love working side-by-side with the folks who will ultimately use what I build and trying to experience life from their point of view. Leading with empathy creates a sense of true ownership and authentic value in the products I design. Fundamentally, I take a holistic and technologically-agnostic approach. Let’s find the value for our users first, then let’s wield the awesome power of technology. Even if what I’m designing is only a small slice of the larger whole, examining the big picture enables me to make more meaningful design decisions. I combine this type of strategic thinking with artful execution and attention to detail.
I have a passion for storytelling and teaching. Being a designer allows me to blend my love for communication and creativity together. Film, music, space exploration, and my family, are my greatest sources of inspiration. I believe great design should flow as effortlessly as a conversation between friends and look as beautiful as a classic movie.
Career Goals & Aspirations
My career has taken me on journey that I never could have imagined and it continues to do so. I started out as an illustrator, classically trained in inks and oils, then I worked in motion graphics (while teaching as an adjunct professor on the side), and later found my way into user experience via game design. With each new experience, I’ve evolved into a creative leader but at my core, I’ll always be a student of technology and people. I’m looking forward to opportunities where my passion for things like music, film, space, teaching, and earth sciences, can collide with my design career.