Designer Profiles: Phil Robinson

Meet Phil Robinson. He’s the Director of Strategy at Two Bulls.

Briefly describe your career path, including the reasons behind job changes and shifts.

I've been a die hard gamer my whole life. I think that has helped me throughout my career more than anything. It's taught me how to make things engaging and compelling while keeping a good eye to the overall narrative. 

Career-wise, I oscillated around design as a front-end web designer in a prior life. Understanding how things are built is an invaluable skill when designing them. It has helped me balance the constraints that hinder creativity and those that hinder implementation.

What excites you about being a designer?

That I get to figure out creative ways to dispel my dislike for authority.

What are the challenges that the field of design faces today?

We're losing our seat at the table. I think we squandered it by arguing about colors and pixels.

What advice would you give someone starting out in their career today?

Great design does not start on your laptop.

What’s one thing every designer should know?

This is an extremely dynamic and fun career if you embrace it for what it is. What I cared about five years ago, what I care about now and what I will care about are all different. Don’t get stuck in your way of thinking and evolve with the industry.

What’s the most annoying design debate out there? You have the last word.

The business values of design. Hire smart people, empower them, bulldoze a path for their success, don't get upset when they tell you things that challenge your core assumptions and identity.

What do you think design will be focused on in ten years?

Currently, IFTTT empowered products come together to create an ecosystem of value. It’s nor far off where we are able to mash up entire services with each other to create new business. There's no reason a self driving car from VW can't go through a McDonalds drive-thru, but what would make that experience compelling?

What’s your favorite place to escape in NYC?

I like drinking in the Hyatt Bar in Union Square. Hiding in plain sight.

What’s the most obscure fact that you know?

Fort Greene park is the only place where the British won a battle in NYC during the revolutionary war.

Give us your favorite bad joke.

Quesadilla is Spanish for 'Whats the dilly-o?'