Hi, I'm Rick Messer. I have around 15 years of experience designing for start-ups, enterprise software businesses and agencies. Working in different types of companies gives me a unique perspective.
Just a little bit about me; I'm a friendly person who likes talking about music, cooking, or your latest streaming-binge. I'm passionate about my opinions, but I really enjoy hearing different perspectives that challenge my assumptions and learning from others.
Anyway, have a great day :-D
I approach problems with curiosity. I love getting into tough problems, crafting a sound hypothesis, and iterating. Most of my playbook involves collaborative rituals that build confidence in a possible solution, and iterating.
I believe that the best way to find the right direction is to get things in motion. Maybe that means a design spike, a problem framing exercise, or a concept exploration that helps us re-position. The important thing is to shine some light in the fogginess and take a step forward. As soon as you get movement, you can start to see whether you need to change the direction.
When everyone feels represented and safe to express their opinions, we're all more excited to do the work and the result becomes more well-rounded. This gives us as builders pride and ownership in our work.
I'm big on the power of visuals. It's inspiring when aesthetic can help you feel or perceive something and invite you in. Appealing to what you like instead of forcing you down a path that feels like work.
I love the challenge of addressing business goals with new design solutions for real people. The more work I do, the more I understand that how you work is as important as the work itself.
I have been designing for the web since the early 2000's. I am capable in front-end code, UX stuff, and anything involving product design for software. What I love to do is focus on UI and interactions. I'm most happy when I can craft experiences while also influencing the business's direction.
I have started my own businesses, launched products both for mine and others companies, spoken at design conferences, built design systems for enterprise companies, built design teams, and even hosted a podcast on product design. Design is fun and challenging and I think I do what I do well. It's not an exact science, nor is it an art-form and that's why I like it.