👋 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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👋 Hello 👋 out there, fellow Filipino UX/UI designers!
You might be in a journey of levelling up towards being a mid-level or senior designer. We’re inviting you to take this journey with us in the product design team of Avaloq.
We’re a global, cross-cultural group of designers working collaboratively on fintech products, ranging from retail to professional banking apps.
We offer competitive salaries and we are regularly addressing any potential gender pay gaps during our compensation processes.
If interested, you may apply via 👉 SmartRecruiters 👈
Become a part of Avaloq
This year is brighter at Avaloq as we’re growing within UX design team and others as well.
See if there is a good fit?
Avaloq Testimonials
I’m very grateful to be part of and work for such a wonderful company with great leaders and company culture – a company who truly listens to their employees.
Being part of a fantastically-talented team of UX Designers who are fun, friendly, supportive and full of insights that I continue to learn every day. I always brag to my UX friends all the time how much I love my job at Avaloq – not only that it is aligned with my career path, but I am also surrounded by people who also value a well-balanced life, and for that I am truly blessed. ❤
Mara Maclang, Senior UX designer (ex-Avaloq)
Since joining Avaloq, I have learned new things especially in the UX design side. I have been also fortunate to work in a positive multicultural environment, surrounded by great, talented and very supportive individuals.
The thing I appreciate the most is that you always have a voice in the team no matter who you are or where you came from, your work and efforts are always appreciated. I’m glad to be part of this organization particularly with the UX Design team.
Jon Dacasin, Senior UX designer
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Avaloq is implementing its core banking system at UnionBank, a digital trailblazer in the Philippines’ financial sector. The bank’s wealth management business serves the entire wealth spectrum, including business leaders, entrepreneurs and philanthropists across the Philippines.
UnionBank of the Philippines selects Avaloq to transform its wealth management platform
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It’s been 2 months already since I’ve hit my 2-year mark in Avaloq. It’s been the best 2 years of my professional career by far — seeing the team in Manila grow from 7 to 13, supporting the promotion of 3 designers, hearing about how our visual designers have grown their skills towards UX design — all these just makes me grateful for being with a supportive team. I’m able to perform well with them and all their achievements are based on their hard work and are well-deserved. Props to the global product design team, especially in Manila!
This year is memorable because I got the chance to meet most people in the local teams that I work with. This became possible because it became relatively safer to meet each other face-to-face. During our team buildings, I felt like I was meeting up with old friends due to the fact that I already met with them frequently through video calls.
Still wearing 3 hats
About me on one hand — how have I grown from the previous year? I thrive in my role as a line manager with our regular 1:1s that give us opportunity to touch base with each other, to have that constant support in regards to each individual’s work experience in Avaloq. In the recent months, HR had launched a better process for employee career growth and salary review — these topics, we openly discuss in our bilas. Being able to connect with designers on a more personal level is something that I find valuable in a line manager’s role.
On the other hand, I’ve also grown in my role as a DesignOps lead, focusing on capacity planning. Sure, there were bumps along this road (and will always have) and for each one, my manager was there to support me. Take for example when I first saw the annual budget spreadsheet, I must admit that I was intimidated by the complex facade of it. I put it off until I was forced to face it with less working time. Looking back, this was one of my lowlights. I struggled to communicate early and frequently with other leads. Consequently, with little time frame, I found it even more challenging to schedule meetings wherein most of them were available. Supposedly, as the glue that supports everyone together, my performance in this area was watery.
On the bright side, I was able to share these challenges with my manager and he helped me by listening and advising. I’m managing it better and proactively evangelizing DesignOps to the whole team, one step at a time. My lesson is to look for people who can help and ask for their help.
When the going gets tough with those two main roles, I ramp down in my individual contributor role — yes, I also help out in the mobile and web banking product teams. This opportunity keeps my product design chops well-oiled, so to speak. In a ramp down manner, I would be supporting the team on a high level — helping them make better decisions and communicate better with stakeholders.
Juggling three different roles sounds a lot, and it is. With better work management, I am able to take a step back, have a down time and think strategically.
What’s next?
Recruitment is a priority, not for replacements but for growth. What excites me is the fact that we’re looking for ways to support junior designers in the Manila team. I see the value in the unique kind of drive to learn and contribute that budding designers have — and that will be an awesome addition to our team.
What floats my design boat?
Well-roundedness, is one. As you could have read, I’m moonlighting as a freelance designer since way back college. In this avenue comes various types of design work — from corporate identities, to websites, to apps, to yearbooks, and what have you. I’m also mentoring designers, especially those who are at the early start of their UX journeys. These endeavors are a symbiosis with my day job in which one enriches the other.
To cap it off, all of the things that I love doing prepares me for my dream to help, design-wise, in the digital delivery of public service in my home country, Philippines. I’m looking forward into the not-so-far future of a more efficient and more accessible online government services for Filipinos. Think GOV.UK design system for Philippines, as a start.
Stay strong, mga repapips! 👊
👋 Hello 👋 out there, fellow Filipino UX/UI designers!
You might be in a journey of levelling up towards being a mid-level or senior designer. We’re inviting you to take this journey with us in the product design team of Avaloq.
We’re a global, cross-cultural group of designers working collaboratively on fintech products, ranging from retail to professional banking apps.
We offer competitive salaries and we are regularly addressing any potential gender pay gaps during our compensation processes.
If interested, you may apply via 👉 SmartRecruiters 👈
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I’ll probably be laying down my Reading List for a while because July is jam-packed with activities that will keep me occupied. For one, we are moving residences to one that has a relatively bigger space. For another, I’ve signed a deal with three various design projects (an app, a website, and a logo). My project management skills will ultimately be put into test, given that these go into the moonlight. On the other hand, at my day job, it’s excites me to think about opening up opportunities for junior designers to join Product Design Manila at Avaloq — my team and I just need to lay down the foundation to support this move by having key people ready to hand-hold them once they arrive. In any case, feel free to message me in LinkedIn (yes, you, the junior designer).
Awesome start of the 3rd quarter! 👊
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Happy new year 2022! Hope you had a great and well-spent holiday with friends and families and with yourself, of course, and an overall awesome 2021. There are many things to be thankful about. 🙏
For the start of this year, it’s a good reminder to always take time to slow down, take a step back, and generally maintain a well-balanced work-lifestyle. It’s ok to take things slowly, one step at a time.
Look back and look forward to gain clarity on your professional goals, and how it would align with our organization’s. In the coming weeks, we’re hoping to make our individual roadmaps clearer, as well as what we would like to achieve for the whole design team.
In the meantime, this is what I could suggest: write down what you want to achieve or accomplish this 2022. Who do you want to be? Where do you want to go? Or even just the answer to where are you right now? Then let’s discuss those in our bilas.
Thanks to each of you for all your solid contributions to our projects and especially to each other in our team. 👏👏👏
Looking forward to more fruitful collaborations with you. 🙂
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It was May last year when I virtually onboarded Avaloq. It was a time when most of us, office-goers, were adjusting to this “forced” setup of working from home. Consequently, everything needs to be done online. You had to double down on clear and proactive communication because the computer gets in the way of telepathy — kidding aside, the computer is all we have to communicate with other people.
Avaloq was a different environment compared to my previous experience at PayMaya. From serving local businesses via PayMaya Negosyo, the world opened up in front of my eyes because the fintech products that I am now working on cater to the global market. Of course, with that comes the fact that the workforce is also distributed globally. So in one way, my incumbent colleagues are already used to fully-online communication. And I was in a hangover of missing in-person interactions.
In a span of a year, Avaloq supported a continuous growth in my knowledge and skills. When I say “Avaloq” I mean the people that I work with, directly and indirectly. The HR, for example, is supportive in helping me know the ins and outs of recruitment and onboarding. The same way for the design team itself, because we are expanding to support the growing needs of the business, it pushes me to step-up and help other team members grow in their roles, as well. Indeed, scalability is a frontier that I am excited exploring.
I find myself being constantly challenged to learn how to do my job better — whether it is about navigating a process, finding the best way to communicate with someone, or learning new skills. Working with people coming from different cultural backgrounds and varying professional experiences will always be challenging but with its benefits, too — first, I am reminded that there’s a wealth of knowledge from everyone if I keep my understanding open, and second, I feel like having a Swiss Army knife of communication approaches depending on who I collaborate with. Being always on the edge of my seat is a great thing for growth.
What makes me thrive in Avaloq?
It boils down to trust. With leaders trusting their teams in being responsible professionals, autonomy ensues. This is why even in a remote setup we are thriving. The collaborative environment empowers us to hone our design craft. My approach to design comes from my own perspective and it benefits the project to uncover many different angles via design reviews — this is where my colleagues’ level of support really helps.
Since May of last year, we’ve onboarded 5 designers in Manila, 2 in Zürich, and established a team of 5 in Berlin. Also from that month, Avaloq marked its first Philippine partnership with BPI and I’m proud to be part of its project team. From taking care of its employees during this pandemic to the acquisition by NEC, it was one heck of a ride. I’m grateful for being part of Avaloq’s continuous growth.
Tokyo, October 5, 2020 – NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) today announced the acquisition of Avaloq Group AG (Avaloq), a leading Swiss financial software company. The acquisition of Avaloq will provide NEC with digital finance software and domain knowledge as it enters into the field globally and strengthens its business in the digital government field. The acquisition is expected to be worth 2.05 billion Swiss francs, and to be completed by April 2021, following the confirmation of necessary procedures and approvals for each organization. NEC acquires a leading Swiss financial software company, AvaloqAvaloq → NEC
Avaloq is enabling the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), one of the Philippines’ biggest banks in terms of capitalization, with its Software as a Service (SaaS) solution to help improve customer experience and boost the efficiency of five business units and subsidiaries.Avaloq × BPI
Leveling up in your career?
You might be in the same crossroads like I was last year. When I mentioned how the world opened up in front of my eyes when I joined Avaloq, I hope you would also find yourself in a journey that lets you discover new things that you’re capable of.
A throwback of my video introduction
All new joiners at Avaloq are suggested to share a video introduction a week before their first day — this was mine.
This year is brighter at Avaloq as we’re growing within UX design team and others as well. See if there is a good fit?Become a part of Avaloq
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Recently, we had an event in Avaloq called Open Mic Session. It was a small event for Avaloq Manila (Philippines) and Pune (India), along with the executive board. It had two topic categories which was voted for by employees. The first category was official company business and the second one were topics submitted by anyone who wished to share anything — a hobby, an advocacy, project accomplishments, or anything under the sun, really.
One of the three employee topics that was voted in was mine. It was all about my learnings and realizations in the ten months that I’ve been with Avaloq. It was timely to sit down and introspect how I’ve been in these past months — from being torn about transitioning into a different organization during the pandemic to being fulfilled that I’ve struck while the iron is hot. It was equally timely to share it with my colleagues, as well.
Here’s a transcript of my presentation:
Introduction
Hello to my colleagues in Manila, Philippines (esp. to the UX design team), Pune, India, and Zurich Switzerland. And of course, to others who are in different locations. Thank you to all those who voted for my topic.
My name is Dys. I’m with Johann in the design team. I do UX design for web and mobile banking, as well as managing the design team here in Manila.
Main
I joined Avaloq in May last year. So, I’m fairly new. In the 10 months that I’ve been here, there are many things that help me adapt in this new environment. Let me have the honor of sharing with you 10 things that I’ve learned & continuously realizing while working in Avaloq.
10. Avaloq delivers on my career expectations
Around March last year, I made a leap of faith when I accepted Avaloq’s offer. It was at the start of lockdowns and the pandemic, after all. Apart from being scared, I was excited because every aspect was a step up from my previous career. Fast forward to now, the level up experience is true — there are many new things that I face and these challenges keep me learning & growing.
9. Our company provides confidence in this uncertain times
Avaloq’s response to the pandemic gives me confidence that despite being in this challenging times, we are in a stable and growing organization.
8. We are Avaloq, we lead Avaloq
With a level of autonomy, we take ownership of our work. We are empowered to contribute and influence the direction of projects.
7. We are empowered to be heard
We have tools and processes in place that create a safe environment for us to listen and to be heard. We have an engaging feedback platform and my managers are open to listening and coaching.
6. The support system is strong
When I joined Avaloq, the team were there to help me onboard quickly. Until now, whenever I would need help from them, they are engaged and supportive.
5. Make the most out of meetings
Meetings, virtual or otherwise, are our opportunities to contribute to plans and our voices to be heard. And also bilas (or bilaterals) — it really helps in alignments and being on the same page with people.
4. In collaboration we thrive
Rarely that we, alone, got it all figured out. That’s why when we work together, we gain different perspectives of the same thing. And that makes solving problems faster.
3. Highs and lows, they’re part of it
Whatever happens, it’s our perspective that we have control of. As long as we learn from experiences, it’s all good.
2. Have something or someone to be thankful for
A little help from my teammate, my manager who’s coaching me. Acknowledgement of these things helps me pay it forward to others as well.
And for the most important thing…
1. Have fun at work and enjoy the thing that you do
That’s what my manager actually said during my 1st week at Avaloq.
Conclusion
Especially during these challenging times, looking at the brighter side of things surely helps.
Thank you everyone! Stay safe and healthy.
The presentation was only 5 minutes long and I had fun sharing it from this side of the world. If any, it was a message of inspiration to make good sense of different situations that we maybe in.
In 2 months, I’ll be celebrating my first year with Avaloq and it’s a new chapter for me. I’ll find out what’s next!
Video presentation
References
- Images
- Music: Shake by Anno Domini Beats
This year is brighter at Avaloq as we’re growing within UX design team and others as well. See if there is a good fit?Become a part of Avaloq