In this engaging episode of "Tangents by Out of Architecture," our guest Xinran Ma shares his inspiring journey from a traditional architecture career to the innovative field of product design at Redfin. Our conversation delves deeply into the mindset shift required for career transition, and the strategies Xinran employed to gain experience and build credibility in a new industry. From studying architecture in China and New York to fostering a passion for user experience design, Xinran's story illustrates the diverse applications of architectural skills beyond conventional practice.

Xinran elaborates on the differences between architectural education and practice, highlighting how his idealistic aspirations met practical realities that motivated his transition. He offers rich insights into the importance of design thinking and user interaction, emphasizing his path to becoming an accomplished UX designer. 

Highlights:

Guest Bio:
Xinran is an architect turned product designer on a mission to empower designers to elevate their careers and live better lives. He went from designing buildings to crafting digital experiences, and now he is exploring the power of AI in design. He is the founder of Design with AI, a digital publication to help designers design better, faster, and smarter with AI through practical tips. He is also the author of three Amazon #1 New Release books in UX and have been recognized as an ADPList's Top 1% Mentor in Design five times. He regularly gives AI talks and runs workshops at institutions like Microsoft, UXPA, Pratt Institute, the University of Connecticut, and Maven.