My working principles
🔬
Any research is better than none
A design team should always strive to validate and test their decisions with users, unfortunately, whether it’s because of the company’s design maturity, or because of tight deadlines, this is not always possible.
It’s up to the designer to choose the depth of research done for the project's scope but the answer should never be none.
It’s up to the designer to choose the depth of research done for the project's scope but the answer should never be none.
✊
Think by doing
I am a big advocate of using sketching and low fidelity prototyping to externalise thinking, share our thought process and mitigate our own biases.
When done well, this can be an excellent way to rally support for the design by fostering up early alignment.
When done well, this can be an excellent way to rally support for the design by fostering up early alignment.
📝
Document thoroughly
Designers have a love/hate relationship with documentation, and with new design tools nowadays, design documentation can certainly suffer from diminishing returns.
But done at the right depth of detail of each project/company, UX documenting improves the speed and quality of delivery, and the quality of development as it is essentially going through everything with a fine tooth comb
But done at the right depth of detail of each project/company, UX documenting improves the speed and quality of delivery, and the quality of development as it is essentially going through everything with a fine tooth comb
✅
Done is better than perfect
Whilst we should aim to do as thorough a job as we can, perfection cannot be achieved and to aim for it can irreparably negatively impact a project.
There is no replacement for getting our products in the wild with people using it and being iterative and fast with our improvements.
A day in my life
A collection of products & ways of working
Formula E - Live race
Ideating for internal training event for new products
User testing BABB Banking app
B&Q Helping Hands - Home improvement assistance
Visa Direct
Workshopping the future of home improvement
BABB - Blockchain banking application
FIFA Brazil Worldcup app
Workshopping blockchain fundraising at BABB
FIFA Brazil worldcup in-app games
Objective for internal training event for new products
Workshopping an energy comparison platform
FIFA Brazil World cup app
Formula E - Driver profiles and stats
Workshopping Formula E navigation
Formula E - iPad navigation
Workshopping blockchain fundraising at BABB
User testing BABB Banking app
Drawing workshop
Usertesting in store voice assistants
Ideating around store visits for home improvement projects
Workshopping blockchain fundraising at BABB
Designers I managed say
Versatility & Comprehensive Design Skills
"Sandro draws on his experience from all aspects of design...wider thinking and the ability to demonstrate similar but different concepts.”
- Emma Gray
“Having a solid skill set in Service and UX Design...up for the challenge in any project.”
- Hugo Ribeiro
Adaptability & Stakeholder Management
"Good awareness of different stakeholder's needs...able to adapt his presentation style...depending on his audience.”
- Emma Gray
“Facilitated seamless interaction processes with the product and development teams, ensuring alignment and collaboration.”
- Alexey Shutov
Creativity and Problem Reframing
"Ability to reframe problems and creatively think about how they are communicated.”
– Emma Gray
"His strategic problem-solving...drives projects toward successful outcomes.”
– Catia Murias
Team Building and Inclusivity
"Every designer's voice was heard, fostering a safe and creative environment where ideas flourished.”
- Alexey Shutoff
"Unites diverse teams effortlessly...empowering them to contribute their unique perspective.”
- Catia Murias
Communication and Collaboration
"Managing communication between teams...fosters collaboration and drives projects toward successful outcomes.”
- Catia Murias
"Consistent communication and clear direction ensured everyone was on the same page.”
– Hugo Ribeiro
Leadership and Mentorship:
"Benefited greatly from Sandro's mentorship...trusted mentor and colleague.”
– Alexey Shutoff
"Remarkable leadership as a design lead...cultivating a supportive atmosphere.”
– Catia Murias
People who managed me say
"Sandro is a big thinker with a difference... he’s a big doer too!
Sandro works best when faced with a challenge, he embraces ambiguity and has a vast toolbox of creative methods to uncover solutions.
Importantly, (…) he is passionate about design and is a bit of a genuine hybrid, with skills across the breadth of the Service and UX spectrum; from concept to production."
— George Mayou, Design Director at Fjord
"Sandro is a dedicated and knowledgeable strategic design lead who can identify and reframe the right problems creatively.
Researching and planning a complex remote workshop and design sprint framework he kept the stakeholders engaged and invested all the way, setting the project up for success."
- James Penfold, Head of UX and Strategy at Rehab_agency
"Sandro is a skilful and well-experienced creative talent who I had the chance to work with during his time at Monitise Create.
He worked tirelessly on overcoming our clients' product challenges and delivering success on several strategic and tactical projects. He led the client in creative tasks and drove the ideas to the end, allowing us to achieve the best results with this strategic thinking and extreme creativity.
- Dash Gur, Product owner at Monitise Create
Currently available for work