Hi there, I’m Cyril
Values I live by, despite falling short of them from time-to-time
Uncommon Care: Good enough isn't good enough
I am everything I produce to be the best version of itself. This applies to my design work, when I perform music, and everything else I put my name on.Communication: The highest-leverage skill
What I say matters. How I say it matters more. I am intentional about both.Connection: The right people make life richer
I find the right relationships making my life infinitely more fulfilling. The quality of my life is a direct reflection of the quality of the people I surround myself with.Conviction: Committed, but never closed
I commit fully to what I believe in, but that doesn't mean I'm closed off. Conviction and openness are not opposites to me.Growth: Always seeking, never settled
I am my own harshest critic, and I deliberately seek out what next to work one.
How’d I end up in design?
Circumstance & curiosity.
As a musician & audio engineer, design was never really in my radar.
It started when I was forced to make a portfolio website during my time as a freelance audio engineer.
I enjoyed the process of having control over how I present myself on the web.
My friends hyped up my web design skills (little did I know they just wanted someone to make their portfolio websites for them), making me believe that I could get good at this if I work on it.
So I started teaching myself web design, and eventually discovered product design.
I quickly recognized my need for accountability and mentorship, leading to getting my very first bootcamp from 10kdesigners.
I slowly chipped away at my skills over time, and eventually landed my first product design gig from this tweet.
What I've learned working as a designer
My first design job taught me how to embrace the uncertainty of working on something that hasn't fully taken a form yet.
My second job taught me the importance of speed, execution, and craft.
My last role taught me how to work in bigger teams, where collaboration and communication dictates success.
And what was common in all these roles?
Empathy.
Empathy not only for those who use my product and their goals, but also for the people I work with, and the organization that believed in me.
What do I do when I’m not designing?
Music: Performing, listening, and breaking down songs
Having been trained classically, played in pop & rock bands, and even having composed music for theatre, music has been and will continue to be a huge part of my life. I perform, listen to albums, and break down songs that catch my attention.Fashion: An unexpected interest
As someone who used to wear black t-shirts 7x/week, I honesly never saw this coming. I was introduced to the world of fashion by a good friend on mine, and now find myself constantly on the lookout for new pieces, putting together odd combinations and wondering why certain things work for some but not for others.Reading: From self-improvement onto classical literature
Younger me loathed at the idea of 'wasting' my time reading literature and instead something productive like 'self-improvement'. I thankfully got over this phase and take the time to enjoy some classics. My last read was The Remains of the Day.Exploring humanity: I can be very social
I love meeting new people, introducing people to each other and creating a social bubble of love. I'm always looking to attend the next social event, and I find it to be extremely fulfilling.