Last December 8, 2021, the MINT Multimedia program launched the first virtual seminar for MINT Meets, a series of talks with professionals in the creative field. For the first webinar, Multimedia students met with UX Designer, Paolo Malabuyo, whose works span from Google in Silicon Valley, USA to philanthropic works here in the Philippines and abroad.
Here are the highlights from the panel discussions:
Q: As our professors always say, the multimedia industry is ever-growing and changing. What is one of the most important ways to be flexible in rapidly changing times?
A: They are correct. The industry is always in flux. It helps to cultivate a growth mindset, be curious, and enjoy the learning process. Internalize the fact that change is inevitable and is a feature of the industry, so learn to grow with it.
Q: How do you make platforms or designs more accessible to the elderly, especially in the digital age where millennials and teens are the biggest consumers?
A: There is an evolving and growing practice of accessibility in design, or A11Y, that allows us to design for everyone. in addition to knowing who you’re designing for, having a baseline for ‘A11Y’ helps make your products useful and usable for everyone.
Q: If you were to teach young students who are just starting to learn/understand UX, what would be the first lesson that you would cover?
A: In the UX classes I have taught, I first try to help students understand what it is and why it’s important so I can get them to see how it might matter to them, care about it, and be curious about it.
It’s one of the reasons that I like to show real products that they might know and love as examples of UX in practice. once their interest is piqued, the rest comes more easily. W
——————
MINT MEETS is a new series of exciting talks over Google Meet, where MINT students can listen to and engage with leading professionals in Business, Arts, and Technology. Get insights, hear stories, and learn new things straight from the people who make things happen. Discover UX from a designer's perspective—how behavior influences engaging design in digital.
PAOLO MALABUYO is a member of the Board of Advisers under the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Carnegie Mellon University. He is also an instructor and guest lecturer for the Google UX Design Certificate Program, and has spoken at UX and design conferences around the world. He is currently working at the Silicon Valley as the Director of UX at Google, leading the YouTube Ads UX team.
He is also a great believer in education as the key to helping young Filipinos lift themselves up and rise beyond their circumstances, Paolo extends his support to the following non-profit organizations:
KABISIG NG KALAHI (founded by Vicky Wieneke) runs a feeding program and scholarships for malnourished and underprivileged children.
PHILDEV (founded by Dado Banatao) promotes innovation, education & entrepreneurship. He is currently an active board member, supporting the under-represented Filipino-American community.
ADVANCEMENT FOR RURAL KIDS (founded by Ayesha Vera-Yu) helps children from rural areas get access to food and education.