Oct 20, 2014 8 Questions With : Carly Chiao
Carly Chiao is another wonderful individual I met through John Maeda a few months back. She is currently a designer for Victorious, a platform that enables content creators (e.g. YouTube stars) to connect and engage with their fans on a more meaningful level. With the massive volume of content that is being pushed out every minute of every day it can be incredibly difficult to build a loyal following that will choose you over your “competitors.” As a result, we’re seeing a large market for third party content and monetization channels developing out of this gaping need, with Victorious at the forefront of it all. Additionally, with the level of accessibility to today’s technology content creation continues to stimulate its own growth – the more that is created and exposed, the more viewers desire to become the creator and launch their very own content, paving the way for companies like Victorious.
1. What is Victorious and how did you get involved?
Victorious is a start-up based in the heart of Santa Monica. We’re offering a platform for content creators to build and publish their own interactive mobile apps. Our primary goal is to put creators in control of their own brands and empower them to engage with fans directly. I’d like to think that each app is a hub, where creators can publish all of their content in one place and fans can interact with the community.
I got introduced to Sam Rogoway, the CEO of Victorious. I was told that Sam is very selective for hiring designers. Just out of curiosity, I took my chances and met him. It was a short 30 minutes talk, but I was hooked to the product he envisioned. I feel we’re solving a real existing problem.
2. The third party market for media/video is booming, where do you see it going in five years?
With the rise of advanced camera technology, easier accessibility to platforms for distribution and editing, and more social communities to build around video, it’s not hard to say that video will increasingly become a vital medium for entertainment, information and communication. It’s not only presenting us the in-person experience but also easy to digest. It’s naturally engaging and has high “shareability”. The roadblocks for creating videos will be diminished to nothing, it’s just a matter of ideas, so much choice is in the hands of the creators.
3. As a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up?
A flight attendant. I used to dream how I could travel around the world while I’m working. I didn’t become one but I’m still working towards my voyage planning.
4. What do you find most challenging about your current role?
Working on a new product without much data to begin with, what I find most challenging is to figure out feature rich vs. too many features. It’s always hard to understand in the beginning. We want to embrace the power users but are also afraid of potentially confusing the novice users. We started to do some usability testing post development and hopefully we’ll find the sweet middle ground for all users.
5. What does a typical workday look like?
My workday usually starts with listening to podcast while driving. it’s such a relief to my long commute and become my creativity jump start for the day by listening to other people’s stories. After I got in to the office, if I continue to where I left off the project, I’ll review the flows and make sure whether they still make sense before I proceed. If I’m kicking off a new project, I’ll do my due diligence by researching similar products in the existing market. It’s always effective to learn why and how other people are doing well with their designs and features, or failed with things we would have never thought about. These findings will potentially help us to form a better vision. I usually work in Photoshop for mobile and web design. Illustrator would be handy whenever I’m dealing with vector shapes. Then I’ll eat lunch around 12pm or 1pm. Sometimes I’ll work through lunch if I have a meeting around that time. I work very closely with product and engineering and enjoy how fast we craft and iterate the product.
6. What’s your favorite post-work destination?
Home. To catch up with my two little ones and my terrifically supportive husband.
7. As a designer, where do you find your inspiration?
My surroundings.
8. If you could give some advice to your teenage self, what would it be?
Growing up from a typical Asian family, my dad told me that I need to be honest, humble and listen more than speak up with what I have in mind when I was little. I’ll keep the same principles except the last one. What I learned over the years, voicing my ideas is equally important; because for me, that’s a way to show that I care.
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