In this edition of our "Employee Spotlight" series, we have the pleasure of highlighting Michael Söderqvist-Waag, our talented Director of Design. With over 12 years of experience and a deep-rooted passion for concept-driven design, Michael is vital in shaping our visual identity and driving product development to new heights. Join us as we get to know Michael a little better, both in and out of the office.
Q: Could you tell us about your background and how you ended up at Pistachio?
I've been working as a graphic designer since 2012 after graduating from the Norwegian School of Creative Studies. My experience includes working at various advertising companies, digital firms, and design studios.
In 2017, I joined Aller Media, where I met our CTO, Zack Korman. We worked closely together as I was the design lead for the tech and data department. After we both left Aller Media, I began consulting while Zack joined Pistachio. When I got the opportunity to work with Zack again in 2022, it was too good to pass up. That's what led me here today.
Q: How would you describe your job and its responsibilities?
Starting off as a design lead, I took the initiative to collaborate with Opening Hours Design Studio to strengthen our brand identity and visual approach. At that point, my tasks involved utilizing workshops to ensure everyone aligned with our strategic brand direction. Fast forward to today, my responsibilities includes overseeing product design, streamlining processes, and fostering communication across all teams.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Pistachio? Are there any achievements you're particularly proud of?
I love our ability to practice what we preach – empowering each other and stepping up when needed. For example, when we sent hundreds of personalized PR packages to potential new customers, that required a lot of manual work to execute. I was proud to see the whole Pistachio team enthusiastically chip in and help make it a success. But in general, I'm very proud of the product we've developed at Pistachio, and our strong brand identity is a testament to our efforts.
Q: What skills or qualities are essential for being successful as a product designer?
First and foremost, having empathy. Being able to understand and respect different perspectives is essential to being a successful product designer. You also need to be able to translate data and insights into practical solutions, rather than only reacting to user feedback. To me, having empathy and being able to read different situations are more important than having technical and design skills.
Q: What three words would you use to describe Pistachio's culture?
Progressive, challenging, and motivating.
Q: What advice would you give someone aspiring to lead a design team?
My advice is to trust your team, believe in their skills, and ensure everyone feels valued. I firmly believe that removing rigid policies and allowing flexibility encourages task ownership, which ultimately leads to better results.
At the same time, you need to be there for your team so they know they can rely on you for guidance. You have to gradually find your approach. You won’t ever fully "figure it out," it's something you will need to keep adjusting to.
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Any fun facts that might surprise your colleagues?
Outside work, I enjoy running and DIY projects with varying results, from carpentry to sewing. But most of all, I love spending time with my daughter. And no, no fun facts. I'm pretty basic.
Q: What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
I love the quote from Thomas Edison: "I didn't fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps." It's a great reminder that success usually comes from learning through mistakes.
Q: What is one thing you cannot live without?
Julmust, I can't live without Julmust. It's a Swedish carbonated drink which is something inbetween coca cola and rootbeer. I highly recommend trying it if you ever get the chance.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Michael a little better. Stay tuned as we shine a light on the unique personalities that make our team so great!
