Taylor Downes
About me
As a product designer, my role encompasses researching, designing, and developing solutions that meet user, customer, and market needs. I actively engage in identifying problems, leveraging various design thinking practices and tools to communicate valuable solutions to my team. My design process involves iterative testing and development, where I use techniques such as user flows, wireframes, personas, flow and journey mapping, videos, high-fidelity mockups, and click-through prototypes. I am continually refining my processes and seeking innovative ways to improve my work.
Beyond my professional pursuits, I have a variety of hobbies and interests that keep me engaged and energized. I am an avid yogi and cyclist, and I love to explore new destinations and cultures through travel.
My design principles
Build. Measure. Learn.
Bias to action. Play to win.
The best part is no part. Less but better.
Designers should over-communicate internally.
Remove my ego. Use efficient tooling. Prioritise fast development and rapid iterations.
Include the team in all the design decisions.
Seek feedback often and from any interested voice.
Experience
REA GROUP — Product Designer
SEP 2024 – PRESENT
As a Product Designer in the Platforms and Data team, I create experiences that help the technology and data community build REA products and services and drive value.
Degreed — Product Designer
Jan 2020 – Aug 2024
I lead design for multiple enterprise software features (web/mobile). This included a complete rebuild of the mobile app (flutter & material 3).
I manage the Brisbane office allowing local team members to work and meet for social events.
Projects: Portable learner profile, search, home feed, resume parsing, automation and rule builder, marketplace and AI assistants/chatbots.
WorkPro — Product Designer (contract)
2024
I redesigned a candidate profile, onboarding journey and compliance dashboard improving the overall user experience, information architecture and visuals.
Adepto — Product Designer
Nov 2016 – Jan 2020
I led the design and research process, component library and systems company-wide. This resulted in a platform that our customers universally found very easy and attractive to use.
Managed design initiatives for multiple teams simultaneously resulting in concurrent feature deployments.
Projects: Search, configurable onboarding, custom branded portal, dynamic candidate profile, Flexible user permissions, In-app messaging, Insights and reporting, Jobs marketplace and shortlisting system, Company network, Resume parsing, System and account settings, Talent pooling.
Design institute of Australia — tarmac student council member
2015 – 2017
Education
Bachelor of Industrial Design
Queensland Institute of Technology
2013 – 2016
Diploma of Design & Technology
Southbank Institute of Technology
2011 – 2012
SKILLS
I contribute to every phase of the software delivery process—discovery, ideation, validation, scoping, grooming, planning, development, release, & post-release.
Agile, Scrum and Kanban methodologies.
Double diamond design process.
Figma・Sketch・Jira ・ Confluence・MAZE・Dovetail・Logrocket・LLMs・Amplitude・Domo
Designed for teams using Flutter, Tailwind, MUI, React & Angular
Testimonials
“Taylor Downes was responsible for every single pixel on the platform. A platform that our customers universally found very easy and attractive to use.”
“As the CEO of Degreed, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Taylor, who joined us through the acquisition of Adepto. Taylor is one of the longest-tenured members of the team that transitioned, a testament to his significant impact and the high regard in which he is held at Degreed. He has led great product improvements and designed new products, continuously driving innovation and excellence.
Taylor’s role as a product designer encompasses researching, designing, and developing solutions that meet user, customer, and market needs. His design process involves iterative testing and development, using techniques such as user flows, wireframes, personas, flow and journey mapping, high-fidelity mockups, and click-through prototypes. Taylor’s dedication to refining his processes and seeking innovative ways to improve his work has made a substantial impact on our team and products. I highly recommend Taylor for his exceptional skills, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”
“I have worked alongside Taylor for over seven years across multiple companies and countless projects. He is an excellent designer & team member. Taylor’s approach to work is holistic; from start to finish, he pushes himself and those around him to create the best product and business outcome possible.
Taylor has a rare depth and breadth of product design knowledge and applies it with contagious enthusiasm. He leads the way through each phase of the development process: discovery, ideation, validation, scoping, grooming, planning, development, release, and post-release. Taylor’s systematic and empathic approach makes him a valuable addition to any organisation looking for a design leader.
Taylor’s work ethic is unmatched, as is his commitment to creating a responsive and cohesive team culture. He gets things done; I recommend Taylor to any organisation looking to level up their design team.”