Team Spotlight Series: Meet Rodrigo Sousa, Head of Design

Welcome to another issue of the Team Spotlight series at LayerX 🚀

In this series, we delve into the stories, experiences, and perspectives of the incredible people that make LayerX. Today, we get to chat with Rodrigo Sousa, Head of Design at LayerX, where we'll get to know him and learn what it's like to lead a Design team in the web3 ecosystem.

What’s a day in the life of a web3 Designer at LayerX?

A typical day for me as a web3 Designer at LayerX starts with a quick scroll through X to catch up on the latest news about product design and web3. Then, it’s all about collaborating with my teammate Carolina. We discuss our ongoing projects and tasks and set priorities for the day. However, each day brings new adventures and challenges to tackle. As you know, a designer in a startup must wear many different hats.

What do you appreciate most about LayerX's culture?

What I appreciate most about LayerX’s culture is the freedom to experiment and push boundaries. Everyone’s ideas matter, and we all play a part in shaping the future of the company. It’s incredible to witness the impact each individual can make. There’s an atmosphere of innovation that fills our workspace... We encourage the team to think outside the box and embrace new ideas. Plus, the sense of unity within the team feels like family - we celebrate victories together and support each other through the inevitable challenges.

What distinguishes designing for web3 from "traditional" design?

Designing for web3 is a whole new ball game. Unlike traditional web2 product design, we’re faced with the challenge of navigating uncharted waters. Best practices for web3 design are still being discovered, making it an exciting yet sometimes daunting task. Our aim is to design for the future of the web while ensuring it’s accessible to everyone.

Are there any design concepts or trends within the web3 space that have inspired you or you have incorporated into your work?

While there aren't many web3 projects prioritizing design yet, some pioneers like Coinbase and Family are setting the bar high. Also,  @0xDesigner on X posts some really great stuff!

How would you explain the core principles of web3 Design to someone who may not be familiar with the industry?

Designing for web3 is a bit like designing for web2, but with a twist. You need to grasp the basics of the underlying technology, but your goal is to make it seamless and intuitive for users. It's all about abstracting the complexity and empowering users to feel safe and in control.

What design tools and software do you use in your work, and how have they improved your design workflow?

Figma is my bread and butter, practically living inside it all day. We also rely on Tokens Studio to manage our design system, a fantastic tool developed by an amazing team. And let's not forget Raycast, a game-changer for streamlining workflows, from finding Figma files to starting calls and even managing my clipboard history.

What project are you most proud of?

I take immense pride in our yet-to-be-released design system. It's a gem that's truly one-of-a-kind in the web3 space. With its versatility, it's ready to support almost any future web3 product that comes our way. I can’t wait to release it to our community and to the public.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

Outside of work, you'll find me hitting the gym, spending quality time with my girlfriend, and currently, you'll also find me running through the streets of Sintra and Lisbon as I’m training for a marathon. These activities not only keep me physically fit but also mentally, fueling my creativity and inspiration.

Anything else you'd like to share with our community?

To our awesome community, stay connected with us and me on social media. We've got some exciting stuff cooking, and I can't wait to share it all with you. Thank you!

And that's all for today folks!

Stay tuned for the next episode of our Team Spotlight series, where we'll introduce you to another remarkable member of the LayerX family. 

About LayerX

LayerX connects web3 developers and organizations through hackathons and task-based work, bringing together talent and opportunities to create innovative solutions.

Our hackathon platform, TAIKAI, and Task Marketplace at Bepro empower developers to showcase their skills and earn rewards. Don’t forget to join our community and say hello on Discord!