UX Design Diaries: Over 16 Years of Global Insights - Silvia Hernández - S4 Ep. 2

In this episode, we are joined by Sylvia Hernandez, Director and Head of Design & UX at Ledn. Sylvia is a design enthusiast with over 16 years of expertise in crafting seamless digital experiences across various industries. From pioneering startups to public sector collaborations and diverse portfolio games, she plays a vital role in ideation sessions, operational tool development, and hands-on digital product creation.

   Discussion Points - 

• What inspired your journey in the design industry across multiple countries, and how did your professional path shape you into the expert you are today? 1:59
• What differences do you notice working in finance for a startup versus an enterprise? Any distinct challenges or opportunities in each?  2:57
• Rapid fire round 10:12
• As a design leader, how do you balance diversity, inclusivity, and functionality in your team? 23:21
• How do you shape the future of a startup when your passionate team is targeting a user base with a short attention span or limited understanding of the situation's gravity? What strategies ensure success in such a challenging scenario? 26:57
• You host the Spanish-language podcast ‘Entre Diseñoras’ . What common themes do you see in your episodes, and how do they shape the show’s focus? 29:56
• For young professionals starting their careers in various regions, what advice would you give them for building a brighter future in the industry?  34:11
• Could you share more about your role as a mentor and the impact it has on your professional journey? 36:26
  
  Show notes - 

• When you begin your career as a designer, you initially focus on the craft of design. However, in certain corporations, it evolves into managing stakeholders and dealing with the aspects behind the design itself. It's truly fascinating to observe this shift.
• In big companies, you have more resources, but in startups—where I am currently—I enjoy the ease of shipping things quickly. Unlike larger organizations, where processes and legacy systems can make innovation challenging, startups allow for rapid development and implementation.
• In the crypto space, diversity is not widespread. When building my team to bring crypto to everyone, I emphasized the importance of diversity, especially with the underrepresentation of women in the sector. To appeal to a broader audience, it's crucial to have varied perspectives on the team.
• I'm extremely cautious about team additions. I'd rather take my time hiring than rush and have to let someone go. It's crucial for me to bring in individuals who bring something unique to the team without disrupting our existing dynamic.
• My friend Deanna and I, come together to interview guests from various fields, dedicating each episode to a year of experience in front of us. Our mission is to amplify the voices of those often overlooked, individuals doing remarkable work who may not always have the spotlight. In a podcast landscape dominated by familiar voices, we aim to introduce fresh perspectives and showcase the diversity of impactful contributions.
• If you're a designer, there are two essential aspects to consider. Firstly, you have to care about people and understand their behaviors. Secondly, you cannot forget about the craft.
• I believe it's a failure on our part as designers when we apply for roles by emphasizing our past achievements. Instead, the focus should be on showcasing our capabilities and what we can bring to the company. What do you see as the next step in this approach?

Links -
Silvia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silviahdez
Company’s website: https://www.ledn.io
Silvia’s Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/entredisenoras/