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Crafting Products: The Art and Science of Product Design and Branding | Shirley Wu, Product Designer at Twingate, Meta and Threads
Shirley Wu is a seasoned product designer with a wealth of experience working with some of the most prominent startups and big tech companies, including Sequoia and a16z-backed ventures. Shirley has worked across the full spectrum of product and brand development - from desktop and mobile apps to brand identity work and beyond. Her passion lies in collaborating with people to help them achieve their goals and bring their visions to life. When she's not shaping products and brands, Shirley embraces her creativity through painting and ceramics.
In our conversation, we deep dive into:
Shirley’s diverse background in product design and branding
The story behind Luna and the challenges of hardware innovation
Shirley’s favorite products and her views on health and longevity tech
Her new politically neutral party game, Democrazy
Candid advice for those pursuing creative careers and what it takes to find purpose in your work
And so much more.
Some takeaways:
Aim for what you want to be and the life you want to live. Build a life that aligns with your values and goals. Whether it's wealth, purpose, or freedom, designing your career with intention ensures long-term fulfillment.
Don’t let emotional hurdles hold you back. Just get it done. Procrastination and overthinking are common barriers, but Shirley’s mantra is simple: push through doubts and take action.
The builder mentality is rooted in collaboration and hands-on experiences. From living in hacker houses to working closely with teams, Shirley’s builder mentality thrives on creative problem-solving and deep connections with others.
Productivity thrives on structure and intentionality. Tactical planning, like breaking tasks into manageable steps and using your calendar effectively, can help you stay focused and achieve your goals.
Machine learning is a game-changer for designers. Understanding its basics allows you to unlock creative possibilities, stay ahead of industry trends, and design for the future.
Good branding aligns with the product’s needs and audience. Branding should follow the product’s evolution and fit naturally into its market context, ensuring authenticity and relevance.
Biotech and AI have the potential to transform health and longevity. The tools that use sound, AI, and computer vision to create less invasive diagnostics, offering new possibilities in health and longevity, are set to transform healthcare.
Where to find Shirley Wu:
Website: https://bettercrispy.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleyywu/
Studio Shoji: http://studioshoji.com/
In this episode, we cover:
< hyperlink timestamps to YouTube video>
01:30 Introduction to Shirley Wu
04:20 The Builder Mentality
07:41 Exploring Branding and Design
12:27 Experiences in Hacker Houses
16:31 Productivity Hacks and Time Management
19:29 Freelancing and Working with Founders
23:47 Craft and Intuition in Design
26:51 Designing in the Machine Learning Space
29:22 Journey with Threads
37:50 Diverse Skillset and Learning New Industries
40:13 Luna: Health Tracking for Dogs
43:40 Democracy: A Political Party Game
44:47 The Fast Five
References:
Democrazy
For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, please email: [email protected]
View all episodes
By David LamShirley Wu is a seasoned product designer with a wealth of experience working with some of the most prominent startups and big tech companies, including Sequoia and a16z-backed ventures. Shirley has worked across the full spectrum of product and brand development - from desktop and mobile apps to brand identity work and beyond. Her passion lies in collaborating with people to help them achieve their goals and bring their visions to life. When she's not shaping products and brands, Shirley embraces her creativity through painting and ceramics.
In our conversation, we deep dive into:
Shirley’s diverse background in product design and branding
The story behind Luna and the challenges of hardware innovation
Shirley’s favorite products and her views on health and longevity tech
Her new politically neutral party game, Democrazy
Candid advice for those pursuing creative careers and what it takes to find purpose in your work
And so much more.
Some takeaways:
Aim for what you want to be and the life you want to live. Build a life that aligns with your values and goals. Whether it's wealth, purpose, or freedom, designing your career with intention ensures long-term fulfillment.
Don’t let emotional hurdles hold you back. Just get it done. Procrastination and overthinking are common barriers, but Shirley’s mantra is simple: push through doubts and take action.
The builder mentality is rooted in collaboration and hands-on experiences. From living in hacker houses to working closely with teams, Shirley’s builder mentality thrives on creative problem-solving and deep connections with others.
Productivity thrives on structure and intentionality. Tactical planning, like breaking tasks into manageable steps and using your calendar effectively, can help you stay focused and achieve your goals.
Machine learning is a game-changer for designers. Understanding its basics allows you to unlock creative possibilities, stay ahead of industry trends, and design for the future.
Good branding aligns with the product’s needs and audience. Branding should follow the product’s evolution and fit naturally into its market context, ensuring authenticity and relevance.
Biotech and AI have the potential to transform health and longevity. The tools that use sound, AI, and computer vision to create less invasive diagnostics, offering new possibilities in health and longevity, are set to transform healthcare.
Where to find Shirley Wu:
Website: https://bettercrispy.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleyywu/
Studio Shoji: http://studioshoji.com/
In this episode, we cover:
< hyperlink timestamps to YouTube video>
01:30 Introduction to Shirley Wu
04:20 The Builder Mentality
07:41 Exploring Branding and Design
12:27 Experiences in Hacker Houses
16:31 Productivity Hacks and Time Management
19:29 Freelancing and Working with Founders
23:47 Craft and Intuition in Design
26:51 Designing in the Machine Learning Space
29:22 Journey with Threads
37:50 Diverse Skillset and Learning New Industries
40:13 Luna: Health Tracking for Dogs
43:40 Democracy: A Political Party Game
44:47 The Fast Five
References:
Democrazy
For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, please email: [email protected]