5 Questions with Patti Lo, Product Designer @ OpenTable
5 Questions is a series where we ask CMCI Studio alumni to share insights about the future of design and how to grow as a creative. To learn more about the Studio masters program check the details at the end of this story or visit our website. Enrollment is now open for fall 2019.
This week we’re featuring Patti Lo, Product Designer at OpenTable.
Patti is a recent graduate of Studio, having completed the program in 2017. A month after graduating, Patti took a chance and moved to San Francisco. Shortly after the move, she landed a job at OpenTable working on their web team.
Since joining OpenTable she’s had an opportunity to work on a number of exciting projects but her favorite so far has been a donation campaign in partnership with No Kid Hungry.
“We recently launched a donation campaign in partnership with the non-profit organization, No Kid Hungry. People can donate their dining points earned through booking reservations to provide meals to hungry children in America. The campaign was a big success, we received donations equal to 1.6 million meals in the first week! It was great to work on something positive that gives people an alternative way to use their points and support a worthy social cause.”
5 Questions with Patti
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career so far?
[Patti] Always be open to learning. There may be times you work on a problem or feature that isn’t the most exciting thing ever. For those moments, you can still go in with the attitude that you’ll take at least one thing away from the experience, whether it’s something you want to learn for yourself or from others.
When you look at the current landscape of design and technology what are you most excited about and most concerned about?
[Patti] As we rely more and more on technology, a divide grows between our online and offline experiences. For example, what happens between the time you make a reservation online or through AI to when you show up to the reservation. It’s an interesting problem to think about how we extend a brand or service in bridging digital and physical environments.
Sometimes I worry our dependency on digital experiences and the constant demand for efficiency will cause us to miss out on real human connections. But I’m curious to see how technology continues to shape our relationship with physical spaces and the people in them.
When you think about the designers of the future, what do you see as the most critical skills they will need in order to be successful?
[Patti] Writing! From day-to-day processes like defining user needs and formulating hypotheses, to creating usability tests and putting together presentations, I’m constantly writing. It’s invaluable to be able to effectively articulate the thought that goes into your work.
Writing is also essential when it comes to conveying content and communicating with users within the actual product. I don’t often have the luxury of working with a content strategist or UX copywriter, so I regularly write my own copy. Writing is something that I’m constantly working on.
There are a few books I recommend if you want to work on your writing:
How did your experience in the Studio graduate program impact your ability to be successful in your career?
[Patti] While I already had a design background, Studio prepared me in many of the relevant UX design processes. I applied my learnings to projects with real industry clients, which provided a lot of credibility to my portfolio and helped kick-start my career in product design. Studio has a great reputation here in San Francisco.
What are some of the most important tools and processes you use in your job right now?
[Patti] Pen and paper: I’m currently enjoying the black Stabilo point 88 fineliner and plain old printer paper.
Abstract: We recently started using it to manage our design files. It has been awesome to have a single place to collaborate with all stakeholders.
Pairing: Sitting down with a developer to work through questions and small design issues.
You can see more from Patti on Instagramand Linkedin.
Follow the rest of our “5 questions” series here.
About CMCI Studio
CMCI Studio is a design graduate program at CU Boulder. Driven by a culture of collective creativity and fueled by design thinking, our mission is to transform our students into design professionals capable of leading us into the future and solving problems in a rapidly changing world. Our graduates have gone on to design and lead teams at Google, Apple, Spotify, Uber, Pinterest, Dropbox, Airbnb, Wieden+Kennedy, R/GA and many more.
We are currently accepting applications for our 2019–2020 school year. The application deadline is March 1st. Get more details and apply at our website.
