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Quinn Ryan

Product Design Consultant

Quinn Ryan is a highly experienced Lead Product Designer and Strategist who has established her own consultancy, Quinn Ryan LLC.12 With over 9 years of experience in the field, she specializes in bringing products to life through thoughtful strategy and design-driven solutions.1

Professional Background

Quinn's career has been marked by notable positions and achievements:

  • Current Role: Lead Product Designer and Strategist at her own company, Quinn Ryan LLC12
  • Previous Position: Lead Product Designer at Stash, a financial technology company based in New York City4
  • Past Experience: Worked with reputable companies such as The Atlantic, The Knot, The Bump, and Thrillist Media Group4

Skills and Expertise

Quinn is known for her versatility and comprehensive skill set:

  • Product Design: Proficient in creating user-centered designs and experiences
  • Strategy: Combines design expertise with strategic thinking to develop effective product solutions
  • Illustration: Skilled illustrator, adding another dimension to her design capabilities
  • User Advocacy: Strongly focused on understanding and advocating for user needs

Education and Background

Quinn holds a BFA in Visual Communications, which has provided a strong foundation for her career in design.6 Originally from Chicago, she has since expanded her professional reach across various industries and locations.6

Professional Reputation

Quinn Ryan is highly regarded in the product design community:

  • Described as a "killer Product Designer" by former colleagues3
  • Recognized for her ability to combine the roles of Product Manager and Product Designer effectively5
  • Known for her work across various industries and mediums, showcasing her adaptability and diverse skill set

Quinn Ryan's unique blend of design expertise, strategic thinking, and user advocacy has positioned her as a valuable asset in the field of product design and strategy.

Highlights

Aug 7 · linkedin

I've been working with Waking Up as a fractional senior UX designer for the last several months, and today we've made it onto the board at Product Hunt for our latest release! We have been operating on the simple principle of listening to users to completely rethink how listeners explore, find, and save new content. Check us out at the #13 spot, and hit me up if you'd like to give Waking Up a try for free for 30 days!

Apr 22 · linkedin

I looked up last week  and realized it has been six months since I went solo. I can’t believe it, but also very much can believe it because my little world of work has changed so much. It felt a little crazy at the time, but with hindsight I know it was one of the best decisions I have ever made for my professional self. For anyone out there thinking of taking a similar leap, here are a few things I’ve learned:

  • Deprogram yourself from the productivity myth This is a great thing to do whether you’re going solo or not, but it’s especially important for solo-preneurs. Going from a corporate slack universe with  thousands of messages to comb through every day to silence had me wallowing in lack of purpose in the early days. I had to recalibrate my sense of daily “accomplishment” to something more long term, but then I actually found freedom in the extra space to invest my time back into my business and creative pursuits. This redirection has enriched my experience (and output!) more than getting to “inbox zero” ever did.

  • Community is more authentic when you build it yourself What if you got to catch up with every favorite person you’ve ever worked with? What if you got to bounce ideas off of those people, or even work with them again on an exciting new project? Well, that’s exactly what can happen when you strike out on your own. With the extra time I gained, I got to catch up with my network, and a lot of those folks are working on some really cool sh*t right now! Community also becomes much more intentional and authentic when freed from the structures of corporate-guided ERGs. Today I find myself in more engaging digital rooms and slackverses than I ever would have had the time for in my full-time days, and I am much better for it.

  • The first 6 weeks are the hardest… …and the bigger financial safety net you can start with, the more peace of mind you will have. It’s best practice to have 6 months expenses saved, a guideline I didn’t actually follow myself. I didn’t spend very long in the red, but every bit I spent felt that much more dire while I booked my first couple of clients. Save yourself the stress (if you can) and build up a healthy amount of savings before striking out solo.

Thinking about striking out on your own? My door (err—calendly) is open and I’m happy to chat. Comment below with your thoughts or book time with me!

Related Questions

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Quinn Ryan
Quinn Ryan, photo 1
Quinn Ryan, photo 2
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Location

New York City Metropolitan Area