What was a milestone project for you?
The design of the very first mobile app for the Rio de Janeiro International Airport (one of the biggest and busiest airports in South America) during my time at Fjord/Accenture was a milestone project for me. First, because Rio de Janeiro is my hometown, I felt a sense of pride in designing something related to my origins. Second, I had the opportunity to lead a team in creating a very innovative product used during the Olympics for more than 65 thousand people daily.
Juror Spotlight
Rodolpho Henrique, Design Lead, Google
Rodolpho is an award-winning digital designer who creates products that transform people’s lives. At Google, he works at the intersection of product, brand, and technology, transforming ideas into first-class digital experiences used by more than 3 billion people worldwide. Before that, he was a Design Director at McKinsey & Company, responsible for creating innovative digital products for big leaders and startups and leading exceptional design teams worldwide.
We were the first airport in South America to offer indoor navigation; our work is still used as a reference for innovation in technology and airport design worldwide. The result was a very simple-to-use mobile app where the passengers could access information about flights, where to eat, where to pay for parking, and what is available to do nearby while waiting for their flight. This app established a historical mark for the entire nation in terms of airport navigation and digital experience for passengers and influenced different airports in different continents.
What have you seen recently that has fueled your creativity?
A recent trip to Japan made me rethink my aspirations and creativity in general. It was a great opportunity to see how Japanese culture and aesthetics are well crafted in detail. The attention to detail really impressed me during my visits to artists’ workspaces, furniture shops, and design studios. This fueled my creativity a lot and made me think about how I can use simplicity (something that Japan is well known for) in the digital medium when I design apps or services in general.
How do you unwind from work mode?
Reading is my favorite activity. It allows me to connect with myself, learn, and unwind from work mode. I’m obsessed with books, and reading brings me a lot of calm and tranquility. I also like to take walks in the mornings to start my day and set a high-energy mood for the rest of my activities. Observing my surroundings during a walk in the neighborhood is an interesting exercise as I observe people, materials, and colors.
What has been the most significant change in office culture since you started your career?
Design is a discipline that requires extensive collaboration. During the pandemic, we were forced to work remotely, which was a pivotal shift in my career. Since then, most companies have learned that it is possible to collaborate and create excellent digital products with remote teams.
I still believe there should be some balance, though. Physical interaction matters, and being in the same place with your team is really beneficial. The best work I have done in my entire life was brainstorming with diverse teams in the same physical place. There are some things that just work better when we are all together—everyone knows that.
At The Communicator Awards, we’re celebrating connection in all forms of communication this season. How do you personally stay connected to the industry?
I’m fortunate to participate as a juror at high-caliber design institutions, where I am exposed to a range of new works and designers from all over the world. This exposure keeps me energized and optimistic about the industry in general, as I can see and evaluate different types of design works and innovations being made in different places.
I’m also constantly invited to write about design in books, articles, and publications, where I try to share my unique perspective and overall view about different topics for different audiences. This keeps me updated with the latest industry topics and also helps me to create new connections with designers who share the same passion I have.
What do you feel are the 3 main methods for creating a lasting impression?
In a world where AI is replacing some of the technical steps of the design work, the way of thinking and how you communicate to others is crucial. A designer should be open-minded and capable of relating to and navigating between business, strategy, and other disciplines besides the creative work. Selling the idea and communicating properly so you can tell people the reasons behind your decisions is something that AI could not do for us yet. My 3 main methods to create a lasting impression:
1 – Think strategically: connect the dots between different disciplines to support your design work and cover your decisions
2 – Listen: We can learn a lot from other individuals. Listening to people is a crucial skill that could improve your design abilities
3 – Work hard: good work attracts good work. If you want to succeed and create a lasting impression, you should focus on something you believe in and work hard in your craft to master it and be recognized for it.
There’s still a limited time to put your portfolio in front of industry experts like Rodolpho. Complete your entries before The 31st Annual Communicator Awards Grace Period ends this Friday, March 28th.