S1E12 - Makson Serpa, Product Designer @ Meta

Summary

Join yer favorite Captain in his humble Cabin for a lively chat with his buddy Makson Serpa, product designer at Meta and all-around great guy 😛

Makson and I discuss his journey as a designer and the important lessons he learned along the way. Like how his early passion for doodling in class led him to a full-fledged career in product design, for instance.

Funny stories and anecdotes along the way too, you know how it goes in the Cabin, right? There's one involving unexpected objects he had to work with, you don't want to miss that one.

But fret not my Tech Pirates, there's also a treasure trove of advice to be found, especially for you newcomers to the graphic design trade. Like the importance of finding yourself a mentor early and seeking feedback to improve as a designer, as well as the value of smart networking and building connections in the industry.

And yeah, of course we discuss the elephant in the room, heck, the elephant in EVERY room these days it seems, the ubiquitous AI and its impact on various industries, including art and design.

Enjoy 🏴‍☠️

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[00:00] - Introduction and Podcast

[00:29] - Introducing Makson, the Product Designer

[03:25] - Cabin Gossip: Makson's Journey to Becoming a Designer and Other Graphic Tales from the Trenches

[13:56] - Tips and Advice for Designers Looking for Jobs

[18:15] - Importance of Networking and Mentoring

[25:53] - Craft and Excellence in Design

[30:42] - Building a Portfolio and Pro Bono Work

[34:06] - Reaching Out to Companies and Applying Strategically

[38:46] - Taking Strategic Pay Cuts for Career Growth

[43:23] - Having a Roadmap for Career Growth

[46:27] - Aim High and Dream Big

[47:23] - The Importance of Mindset

[48:16] - The Captain's Rant - The Impact of AI on Art and Design

[01:05:20] - Parting Words of Wisdom