"My overarching design philosophy is to act as a hub of..."
In this edition of Coffee with Calyptus, we sit down with Jennifer, Ascendle’s Product Designer, who's reshaping the way AI and user experience converge. Jennifer shares her journey from engineering to design, she delves into the challenges of 0-to-1 projects and reveals how merging technical rigour with creative insight can unlock unprecedented value.
You’ve worked at the intersection of AI/ML and user experience, which is a unique and complex space. How do you ensure the solutions you design are user-centric?
I ensure solutions are user-centric by actively engaging with customers and gathering user feedback from the very beginning. This process continues throughout the design lifecycle, as I progressively refine designs into higher fidelity. By consistently incorporating user feedback and testing at each stage, I ensure that we address pain points effectively and deliver solutions that truly meet user needs.
You’ve transitioned from software development roles to product management and UX design. What motivated that shift, and how has your technical background shaped your design philosophy?
I transitioned from engineering roles to product and design because I wanted to deeply understand how the technology I build impacts users and take an empathetic role in shaping what we create. My technical background allows me to bridge the gap between design and engineering seamlessly, ensuring my designs are optimized for the technology driving them. This collaboration strengthens relationships with engineering stakeholders and also results in cohesive, efficient, and user-centered solutions.
My overarching design philosophy is to act as a hub of empathy—balancing the needs of users, business objectives, and technical constraints to create impactful, holistic products.
From optimizing fraud pipelines at American Express to designing AI-powered recommender systems, your projects span diverse industries. Is there a particular project or challenge that stands out as a turning point in how you approach problem-solving?
I am currently leading the design efforts for an AI supply chain optimization project, where I leverage my AI/ML engineering background and product design expertise to deliver impactful solutions. As the sole product designer, I am responsible for making key decisions and collaborating with diverse stakeholders across technical and non-technical domains.
My approach involves deep engagement with stakeholders to quickly prototype their ideas into tangible solutions. I synthesize these inputs to craft cohesive designs that align with the team’s vision, resolve tensions, and address user needs effectively. This project has allowed me to balance technical complexity with user-centric design, ensuring the product delivers maximum value.
As the first designer at Ascendle, working on AI/ML products for supply chain optimization, how do you navigate the ambiguity of a 0-to-1 project? What strategies help you bring clarity and direction?
I navigate ambiguity by immersing myself deeply in the space, engaging directly with customers and users, and conducting thorough market research to understand the context and background of what has been built. From this foundation, I synthesize insights to identify the key tradeoff that differentiates our product in the market and drives value for users. Once this core tradeoff is defined, I ensure that all subsequent decisions align with and enhance the value and innovation it delivers.
AI is evolving rapidly, and you’re at the forefront of integrating it into user experiences. Where do you see the biggest opportunities for AI/ML to transform how we design and interact with products?
AI/ML is poised to transform product design in significant ways. From a workflow perspective, AI/ML can act as a capable “assistant” or “intern,” handling tasks that can be delegated to speed up the product creation process. This allows designers to focus on higher-level decision-making while ensuring oversight and human judgment remain integral to the process.
In terms of user interaction, AI/ML enables collaborative experiences where humans remain in control, guiding technology to meet their needs effectively. These systems empower users by personalizing experiences, predicting needs, and offering adaptive interfaces, ultimately elevating the role of technology as a partner in achieving human goals.
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