👋 Oi, mga repapips, Brian Dys here! I love music, photography, and creative stuff like UX design and art. This is a place where I collect my thoughts and works. Apart all these, I’m Jaycelle’s better half and Bryce’s dad. 🥰
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A couple of weeks since lockdown (nearing April), Jaycelle and I made this major decision — for the lack of better words — to level up. It was scary, indeed, because the pandemic surprised us all. Most companies halted their hirings yet there I was with an offer on the table.
Fast forward to six months — this was an eventful week as I have passed the probationary period at Avaloq. The team’s trust and support has been tremendous. It is challenging — this role of a manager and individual contributor — nevertheless, everyone’s willingness in collaboration and their dedication to the craft made the ride rather smooth.
Here’s an excerpt from my third month evaluation, which I feel like will always ring true in my career.
What are your initial impressions of working with Avaloq? Have your expectations been fulfilled?
Challenging
3 months could very well feel like a year of working in Avaloq — probably because almost every thing was done online. It will even be more challenging if there were physical interactions with people — getting to know their ways of working, finding the right balance between personalities, all in achieving a common goal of championing UX and elevating the knowledge and skills of the Avaloq UX design team.
Exciting
Each step of the way, I would discover different kinds of terrain in Avaloq — mostly rugged hills and mountains. How to navigate it? Surely, you have to go around them or climb them. Stumbling blocks? You have to clear them for people following your lead. Some blocks can be arranged into stepping stones for us to reach higher levels.
What excites me is the big room for improvement that I am contributing to in filling. Accomplishments, they’re a bonus. There’s always what’s next.
I’m in the right place, at the right time
When I wished to transition to the next level in my career — Avaloq is the next level. It is global — I find myself collaborating with people who have widely different perspectives and knowledge which I learn from. The UX design team in Manila is solid and open for growth. It is a perfect combination of a conducive environment wherein I can grow and support others’ growth, as well.
Recently, I hopped on to Spotify as an artist. I released several electronica singles under the label Weet Weew. The experience was liberating in the sense that I’ve been putting it off for quite some time and finally got to grapple with it. I got to revisit some old compositions and reacquainted with a DAW (digital audio workstation) of choice: FruityLoops.
The signature
Preparing for a (rather bleak) future when crazed fans would ask me for autographs, I thought I needed to have one. So I practiced using a big round-tip marker and settled with a 0.6 mm-tip pen.
With a trusty scanner, I scanned it with a resolution of 600 to be able to “blow it up” and properly enhance it. From Photoshop to Illustrator to Figma to its destination, Spotify — it took me around an hour to do all this.
The process
1. Photoshop
We’re using Adobe Photoshop to prepare the material for vectorization in Illustrator.
- File → Open
To open the material - Image → Adjustments → Desaturate
To convert it to grayscale - Image → Auto Contrast
To make the paper whiter and ink blacker - Image → Adjustments → Threshold
To convert the paper to pure white and ink to pure black; yes it will pixelate, that’s why it’s important to have a high resolution material; some areas might be lost, so you might be working on several layers with different threshold amounts - Window → Channels
Copy and paste the artwork into an alpha channel and select it (it will select the white part, so, invert the selection to select the black part) - Window → Layers
Go back to the layer while the selection is active - Layer → New → Layer Via Copy
To copy and paste the black part into a new layer - Layer → Delete → Layer
Select the original layer and delete it - Manual Adjustments
Now you have a line art (with transparent background) that is fairly easy to adjust — like if you need to extend or erase some parts - File → Save → .PSD
Save the file as Photoshop file
2. Illustrator
We’re using Adobe Illustrator to convert the prepared material into vector. Sure, from the scanned material we can go straight here — I personally see the result is better when we prepare the material prior vectorization.
- File → Open
To open the .psd file - Photoshop Import Options dialog → Convert Layer to Objects
To keep the layers (if any) in the material - Select the Object
To select the particular layer we will vectorize - Window → Image Trace
To customize settings for vectorization - Object → Image Trace → Expand
To vectorize the object and see its layers - Manual Adjustments
Now you have vector objects — remove any unwanted layers like solid backgrounds (to make the background transparent); also prepare for the desired artwork and artboard size - File → Export → Export As → .SVG → Use Artboards
Save the file as Scalable Vector Graphics file; for handwritten signatures in particular, the default setting for SVG Options will do (it’s a different case when you have images and fonts in your material)
3. Figma
Figma is awesome because you can use it for free and it is web-based (use it alongside Facebook on the other tab of your favorite web browser). Really, this part is optional — it just so happened that my Spotify header image template is conveniently in Figma (you can use Photoshop or Illustor, too).
Right after I uploaded my updated header image to Spotify, I turned to see that my notebook has grown itself some robot doodles, courtesy of Bryce. Consequently, I asked him if we would like to color it in Photoshop and that lit up his face!
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On copying and collaboration
One of the items in the reading list is about copying and how it is inherent to design (and child development, actually). As designers, we pride ourselves of our originality — personally, to the point of stubbornness. I recall a period in my career when I avoided looking at other people’s works as inspiration — out of fear of being unoriginal. It was pride, as I retrospect.
Collaboration is key to almost anything one wants to accomplish efficiently. All of us rely on each other even indirectly. Copying is inevitable in a world where no person is an island. Legalities and what your conscience says, that’s a different story.
Sharing for free
“Really, you’re giving it away for free?” A mentee uttered in surprise (pertaining to a solicited advice). Perhaps our session provided her with some nuggets of wisdom (as it should be). I could imagine lightbulbs flashing in her mind as we discussed about her career.
“This is also how I got them through the years,” I said, “for free”.
To all the generous folks out there sharing their thoughts, resources, and anything that helps anyone, I’m also paying it forward.
In the spirit of copying
I liked the style of the copying article so I replicated it in the “Libre Sakay!” graphic design. If you would like to spin it out yourself, feel free!
Oh, yeah, the reading list
- Hindsight bias: the knew-it-all-along phenomenon
However, the hindsight bias can be a barrier to rational thinking, and it can reduce our ability to learn from experience. If we always think we correctly predicted an outcome, how can we draw lessons from wrong decisions?
Anne-Laure Le Cunff - Copying (is the way design works)
Whether you believe that it’s worthwhile or worthless to copy, whether you think that copies are a valuable part of the design community or a scourge, you are using software, hardware, websites and apps that all owe their existence to copying.
Matthew Ström - Bad Design Kills Eight
The solution to this problem is simple: have experts trained in interaction design determine the behavior of these devices during the initial design phase. Unfortunately, almost all of the makers of such products confuse interaction designers with software engineers.
Alan Cooper - 10 Directions to Take Your UX Career
- Compensatory vs Noncompensatory: 2 Decision-Making Strategies
Categories
One of the items in the reading list is about copying and how it is inherent to design (and child development, actually). As designers, we pride ourselves of our originality — personally, to the point of stubbornness. I recall a period in my career when I avoided looking at other people’s works as inspiration — out of fear of being unoriginal. It was pride, as I retrospect.
Collaboration is key to almost anything one wants to accomplish efficiently. All of us rely on each other even indirectly. Copying is inevitable in a world where no person is an island. Legalities and what your conscience says, that’s a different story.
Sharing for free
“Really, you’re giving it away for free?” A mentee uttered in surprise (pertaining to a solicited advice). Perhaps our session provided her with some nuggets of wisdom (as it should be). I could imagine lightbulbs flashing in her mind as we discussed about her career.
“This is also how I got them through the years,” I said, “for free”.
To all the generous folks out there sharing their thoughts, resources, and anything that helps anyone, I’m also paying it forward.
In the spirit of copying
I liked the style of the copying article so I replicated it in the “Libre Sakay!” graphic design. If you would like to spin it out yourself, feel free!
Categories
Ever since I was welcomed in Amazing Design People List, I’m having more opportunities to help my fellow practitioners in the tech industry. It is by sharing what I know and what I’m experiencing that coincide with what they are exploring — commonly among them — navigating their way in or into the world of user experience (UX).
Most of them who reached out to me were Filipinos. It makes sense to discuss with someone who has less cultural and language barrier. The conversations went smoothly as much as it could, especially that we both could express in Taglish (a combo of Tagalog and English languages).
Sharing, so far, is what I would call this stage of our engagements. The designers I’ve met on the other side of the screen — most of them are looking to break their way into the world of UX. I’m looking forward to be of help as these journeys unfold.
Brian was an excellent coach and listener. I learned a lot from our first meeting. He has great insights about UX design and working with developers. I truly appreciate his time. I look forward to learning more from him in the future. Ish Bartolome, 17 August 2022 Brian was amazing! He is a great listener and amazing at giving career advice! He is also great at helping you understand a certain subject. Brian helped me gain more confidence in myself in my journey, thank you Brian! John Ticzon, 28 April 2022 It was my first time using adplist to schedule a mentor, and I learned far more than I imagined. Sir Brian is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. Sir Brian could help you if you really want to learn something new or improve your skills. Sir, thank you so much! Erlind Generalao, 9 March 2022 I found the mentorship with Dys insightful as he was willing to openly share about his experiences in the field. He helped me realize how I can be a better UX designer and coworker. Gained new perspective and actionable steps as well on how to handle being the only designer in my company. Really appreciate his advice! Mica Flores, 2 March 2022 I had a great time being mentored by Brian. He really gave me good advices on how to start a career in UX/UI design. Looking forward to book a session again in the future. Abigail Senga, 19 January 2022 I appreciate all the great insights that Mr. Dys shared with me, especially on building my portfolio. He is very accommodating in addressing my questions. He will get to know you and give you valuable information to help you. I have gain new perspective from him in regards to career, study and work. Amy Susaya, 10 November 2021 Brian is very thorough with his advice and breaks everything down so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. He is compassionate and is generous in sharing what he knows. Nicole, 9 November 2021 Brian shared a lot of meaningful advice for me as a junior UX Designer. He gave me a lot of information about UX Design, UX Research, and the hiring process. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking mentorship! Kathrina Tacastacas, 30 June 2021 Kuya Dys provided me with a wealth of information about the hiring process and how to make my resume and portfolio stand up. He is knows the field inside out and I really enjoyed his insights on design in the Philippines. I would recommend him if you need career advice and a good chat on design in general. William Tolbize, 9 March 2021 Dys is very effective in providing mentorship. He can pinpoint your strengths and provide insightful advice. I am a career shifter and in our conversation, he has provided me with actionable points on how I can apply my current experience to the UX career that I want. Aside from this, his perspective comes from plenty of years of experience. If you are in need of career advice, I highly recommend scheduling with him. Javi Veron, 17 February 2021 Hi there. I had a great time with Brian during our mentorship session. As a junior UI/UX Designer starting out in the industry, Brian gave me a lot of valuable feedback and career advice on how I can forge my UX career ahead. If you’re looking for a mentor or you need advice when you’re starting out, I highly recommend him to anyone who’s seeking mentorship in the design community. Ultimately, Brian’s really passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable in the field. Nathan Santos, 19 January 2021 Brian was very passionate and straightforward in reviewing my portfolio when I contacted him in Adplist.org as my mentor. I highly recommend Brian in being a mentor specially if you want to be in the fintech industry as a UX Designer. He gave me a lot of information on how I can improve my portfolio as I am transitioning from Graphic Designer to a UX Designer. John Patrick Juinio, 10 January 2021 Brian is the best design teacher anyone could come across. He explains concepts really well and has lots of patience. Samuel Bartels, 18 December 2020 Brian is a great listener and would willingly review your portfolio on how you can improve it. He is comfortable not sugar-coating things which is a good thing for us designers so that we will have a honest feedback from a perspective of a designer. He gave me advice on what are my next step in my portfolio and on what are the things I should have improve in the future. JP, 22 October 2020 Sharing his own journey in UX with me and helping me get a better understanding of UX team structures. He also pointed me towards new resources and opportunities! Helped me better understand UX in the Philippines. Lindy Hernandez, 7 October 2020 Since we were both new in our roles, Brian was able to help me craft a strategy on how to approach my first few months of work as a UX Strategist. We were able to cover the tactical aspects on the approach and layout a game plan. Carlos, 5 October 2020 Prior to our session, I reached out to Brian on LinkedIn simply to connect and say ‘hi’ and he kindly offered to passively chat about questions I might have. He is an excellent listener and gives insightful and practical advice. He asked questions that made me ponder about my career. Jean, 18 September 2020 He gave me a boost of confidence and a clearer view of what to expect upon career transitioning and the industry! Rendell, 28 August 2020Mentorship feedback
References
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Sure, truth is subjective. We, humans, when we go out of our heads and into the world, we must share a common truth — the same things that we believe to be true — that will hold its ground for an indefinite time.
In user interface design, there’s this thing that we call “single source of truth”. It is a design artifact that everyone refers to when needed. For example, what is the single source of truth for our brand color red?
Surely, if that red’s color value exists in one designer’s safekeeping, they might have missed (whether they missed the news entirely or missed updating their own instance) that the branding department have already updated the shade of the red which they also have in their safekeeping.
Then we can surmise that the benefit of having a single source of truth for the color red boils down to efficiency. Efficiency of maintaining only one instance (works well in the digital world) and efficiency of communications because everyone trusts that the instance is aligned with everyone.
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