A day in the life of…Cristiano, UX/UI Designer at Torpedo

UX/UI Designer Cristiano has a real passion for music and Italian classic bakes!

What’s your role at Torpedo, and how long have you been here?

I have been a UX/UI Designer at Torpedo for almost three years now. 

What exactly does your role entail? Can you run us through what you might get up to today, for example?

I’m part of the Web and UX team. My role spans planning, strategising, and consulting, all the way to designing the final digital product.  

My role is to help our clients define their needs and objectives, to identify their audience, to find the best way to deliver success for their business objectives through research and analysis. This process culminates in the design of a tailored digital product, be it a website, an app, or any interface involving interactions with users. 

As an example, today I’m going to review the results of a discovery workshop, where we help the client to define how we will evaluate the success of their new website before we design and build it. Once distilled, this information will allow me to set basic criteria to follow when designing the web structure, ensuring that the final result fulfils the needs of both business and user. 

What tools, resources or people do you depend on to get your job done?

I love working as part of a team, and I am lucky enough to be able to rely on my amazing teammates for any kind of support.  

When working on a larger scale project, there are several different skillsets needed to deliver the result, so I highly value and cherish all my talented colleagues across the board at Torpedo.  There are various tools I use that allow me to conduct research, collaborative activities, project management and design. Most of the tools I use are digital, but I also favour the use of in-person research and activities in general, as ultimately my job is about humans. 

What do you love most about your job at Torpedo? What’s the highlight of your day?

I love the people I work with; I love the culture – relaxed, human-centric, and very social oriented – and I love the impact I can have on someone’s digital experience, to make interacting with a UI interface easy, pleasant, and even exciting. 

And what do you find most challenging?

Probably having to explain to clients the value of some of the work we do. Often research is considered a plus and overlooked, but it really makes a difference. 

Is there a particular project that you’re really proud of?

There are a few. I am definitely proud of my work on the new Panasonic Connect Europe website, having been the lead designer on that, it was a big piece of work. I am also proud of my work on a smaller project for Autodesk, a web page for APS. I worked in a cross-team group for that project, and we delivered beyond expectations. 

What did you see yourself doing when you were a kid?

I mostly saw myself being a professional musician from a very young age. I was lucky enough to step into that career before switching fulltime to design. 

If you weren’t a UX/UI Designer, what do you think you’d be?

I would probably be a music composer or a music producer. 

What made you choose this career path? How did you get to where you are today?

Many years ago (sigh) I got my Masters Degree in Communication Studies, and as far as I remember I’ve always been fascinated by technology and creativity. I love to be creative in any way I can. I pursued a music career and became a touring musician for many years. During my early music career (whilst still a student) I took care of digital promotion, working on graphics, websites, and social media. After a few years, and after finishing my studies, I started working as a freelance web and graphic designer. Having my own business in the meantime meant I needed to learn as many skills as possible to make a profit, so I did.  

When I decided to end my music career, I switched to digital design full time. Shortly after, I moved to the UK and after a first job for a big corporation, I came to Torpedo.  

When your OOO is on, what are you likely to be doing?

 I’m most likely to be enjoying time my family (including my cats), making music, watching a good film, or cooking. 

What’s your favourite memory of working at Torpedo to date?

When I won best cake at the Torpedo Charity Bake Off! I had a secret weapon – I made an Italian classic that never disappoints. 

What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever been given?

Design is not Art. Always keep in mind who you are designing for and why. If an object (or a product) is beautiful, but no one knows what to do with it, that’s bad design.