In the Air Force, I served as a C-130 crew chief, a role that’s surprisingly similar to being a product designer.
Just as a product designer is part of a team that creates and refines products, I was part of a cross-functional team that maintained aircraft. When a mission was completed and the aircraft landed, we’d dive into problem-solving mode, working with the pilots and crew (our users) to investigate and diagnose any issues. This process mirrors the iterative nature of product design. We’d troubleshoot, find solutions, and then communicate with the pilots about how we got their aircraft back in the air.
The journey from problem to solution isn’t a straight line, whether I am maintaining an aircraft or designing a product. A skilled product designer, like a crew chief, knows how to uncover these unknowns and which tools to use to reveal the truth. In college, I learned about the design thinking process as a linear path. But in practice, I’ve found that the process is anything but linear. It’s a craft that requires flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to venture off the beaten path. So, just as working on aircraft is a craft, so too is design.
Since I was young, I have had a passion for creativity and problem solving. When I discovered product design in college, I was immediately drawn into everything the field has to offer. I find satisfaction in knowing that my work can enhance people's lives by making tasks more efficient or by bringing joy through thoughtful design. I'm not only fulfilling my creative drive but also contributing to the betterment of the world one product or service at a time.