https://ritatroyer.com Rita Troyer Tue, 01 Aug 2023 21:07:59 +0000 https://ritatroyer.com en https://ritatroyer.com/Home Tue, 01 Aug 2023 19:52:46 +0000 Rita Troyer https://ritatroyer.com/Home <img width="3876" height="4326" width_o="3876" height_o="4326" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c5423a66decbc23216fef7a5cee9cc938720c95533f61fd0ee9d997e52ae0581/IllustrationLibrary.png" data-mid="186862274" border="0" alt="Dropbox Illustration Library, Design Director &mdash; Built in partnership with Dropbox Brand Studio &amp; Design Systems teams" data-caption="Dropbox Illustration Library, Design Director — Built in partnership with Dropbox Brand Studio &amp; Design Systems teams" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c5423a66decbc23216fef7a5cee9cc938720c95533f61fd0ee9d997e52ae0581/IllustrationLibrary.png" /> <img width="5200" height="2926" width_o="5200" height_o="2926" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/910a427a915032331f05894d49a039178bb269e8bce3f71443bdcf52b21a7980/Homepage.png" data-mid="186710959" border="0" alt="Dropbox Homepage, Interactive Designer &mdash; Designed &amp; built in partnership with Tanner Godarzi and Instrument" data-caption="Dropbox Homepage, Interactive Designer — Designed &amp; built in partnership with Tanner Godarzi and Instrument" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/910a427a915032331f05894d49a039178bb269e8bce3f71443bdcf52b21a7980/Homepage.png" /> <img width="3840" height="2160" width_o="3840" height_o="2160" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/19d5ad0168757ac7d98a9b79595ce9271d96b5af94b727752e964e9cbae2a713/Group-5359.png" data-mid="186976546" border="0" alt="Dropbox Visual Identity in Products, Design Director" data-caption="Dropbox Visual Identity in Products, Design Director" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/19d5ad0168757ac7d98a9b79595ce9271d96b5af94b727752e964e9cbae2a713/Group-5359.png" /> <img width="3840" height="2160" width_o="3840" height_o="2160" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/add45af81e7a357baab8693b8d624bca92f4114f324aa792d539209593331c1c/Customer-Journey_Use_TransferLight.png" data-mid="186976568" border="0" alt="Dropbox Visual Identity in Products, Design Director" data-caption="Dropbox Visual Identity in Products, Design Director" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/add45af81e7a357baab8693b8d624bca92f4114f324aa792d539209593331c1c/Customer-Journey_Use_TransferLight.png" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9e4ce9bf52261d70da85f3d71ba18e3525407f07a4efa4dd30053e03a3678ddd/illustration-system.gif" data-mid="186862450" border="0" alt="Dropbox Illustration Library, Design Director &mdash; Built in partnership with Dropbox Brand Studio &amp; Design Systems teams" data-caption="Dropbox Illustration Library, Design Director — Built in partnership with Dropbox Brand Studio &amp; Design Systems teams" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9e4ce9bf52261d70da85f3d71ba18e3525407f07a4efa4dd30053e03a3678ddd/illustration-system.gif" /> <img width="1088" height="1088" width_o="1088" height_o="1088" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e672c6d835d68ffc6651e58d2a87f26ad3398e64be31068f33010cc0e05e6a7c/Foundation_Color_Use_ProductAccentColorApplicationIllustration.png" data-mid="186900053" border="0" alt="Dropbox products color theory, Design Director" data-caption="Dropbox products color theory, Design Director" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e672c6d835d68ffc6651e58d2a87f26ad3398e64be31068f33010cc0e05e6a7c/Foundation_Color_Use_ProductAccentColorApplicationIllustration.png" /> <img width="1088" height="1088" width_o="1088" height_o="1088" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cb510d34a22674d525fbd9593f6b5ab88fccce1991e3842e1e50fbaf077e31cf/Foundation_Color_Use_ProductAccentColorApplicationDataViz.png" data-mid="186900009" border="0" alt="Dropbox products color theory, Design Director" data-caption="Dropbox products color theory, Design Director" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cb510d34a22674d525fbd9593f6b5ab88fccce1991e3842e1e50fbaf077e31cf/Foundation_Color_Use_ProductAccentColorApplicationDataViz.png" /> <img width="1088" height="1088" width_o="1088" height_o="1088" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/83a2f6450e96558ea9f57ab381cd09ce2c224e2673e4268c2df98dc2bf608741/Foundation_Color_Use_ProductAccentColorApplicationUserIdentity.png" data-mid="186900055" border="0" alt="Dropbox products color theory, Design Director" data-caption="Dropbox products color theory, Design Director" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/83a2f6450e96558ea9f57ab381cd09ce2c224e2673e4268c2df98dc2bf608741/Foundation_Color_Use_ProductAccentColorApplicationUserIdentity.png" /> <img width="5200" height="2926" width_o="5200" height_o="2926" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/493990e71bd0bd31ed1053cd21ea4795892aaf1927d7c78c681861a32a5d5695/Musetech.png" data-mid="186712521" border="0" alt="In-gallery mobile and iPad apps for the Art Institute of Chicago and Indianapolis Museum of Art, Interactive Designer &mdash; Designed and built with IMA Lab" data-caption="In-gallery mobile and iPad apps for the Art Institute of Chicago and Indianapolis Museum of Art, Interactive Designer — Designed and built with IMA Lab" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/493990e71bd0bd31ed1053cd21ea4795892aaf1927d7c78c681861a32a5d5695/Musetech.png" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6a9623dfd7d0445138874aca9343091f634eb99a0f6cfa7c6c675978abcce197/dotdesign2.gif" data-mid="186898920" border="0" alt="Dropbox.design, Interactive Designer + Image Art Director &mdash; Made with Dropbox Brand Studio" data-caption="Dropbox.design, Interactive Designer + Image Art Director — Made with Dropbox Brand Studio" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6a9623dfd7d0445138874aca9343091f634eb99a0f6cfa7c6c675978abcce197/dotdesign2.gif" /> <img width="5200" height="2926" width_o="5200" height_o="2926" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/19700346c779b55a39b25c290a501a08c66959877487a05f357e5f00aaaee2dc/Dot-Design-1.png" data-mid="186852674" border="0" alt="Dropbox.design, Interactive Designer + Image Art Director &mdash; Made with Dropbox Brand Studio" data-caption="Dropbox.design, Interactive Designer + Image Art Director — Made with Dropbox Brand Studio" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/19700346c779b55a39b25c290a501a08c66959877487a05f357e5f00aaaee2dc/Dot-Design-1.png" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fae8a38d5aaaba917da0c5e51c31c3dbd9f1976ea0cf292dc04dd509bfd8e56d/icon-system.gif" data-mid="186862085" border="0" alt="Dropbox Icon System, Design Director &mdash; Icon style by Laura Bohill, system build with Dropbox Brand Studio &amp; Design Systems teams" data-caption="Dropbox Icon System, Design Director — Icon style by Laura Bohill, system build with Dropbox Brand Studio &amp; Design Systems teams" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fae8a38d5aaaba917da0c5e51c31c3dbd9f1976ea0cf292dc04dd509bfd8e56d/icon-system.gif" /> <img width="2880" height="2160" width_o="2880" height_o="2160" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a618d3dadc39e923b8853a729845108b36254fc1d675cfd855a0de4859bf9553/file-5.jpg" data-mid="186824981" border="0" alt="Dropbox at Sundance Film Festival Prototype, Designer &mdash; Designed in partnership with Lexi Visco" data-caption="Dropbox at Sundance Film Festival Prototype, Designer — Designed in partnership with Lexi Visco" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a618d3dadc39e923b8853a729845108b36254fc1d675cfd855a0de4859bf9553/file-5.jpg" /> <img width="750" height="937" width_o="750" height_o="937" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d17e21c4cbe5ab8a04e8796a462f8137b37177521b8b4dec5d2c72303111e06a/26867841_1443507462425534_3335543456876462080_n.jpg" data-mid="186824041" border="0" alt="Dropbox totes at Sundance Film Festival, Designer &mdash; Designed in partnership with Lexi Visco" data-caption="Dropbox totes at Sundance Film Festival, Designer — Designed in partnership with Lexi Visco" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/750/i/d17e21c4cbe5ab8a04e8796a462f8137b37177521b8b4dec5d2c72303111e06a/26867841_1443507462425534_3335543456876462080_n.jpg" /> <img width="3500" height="2336" width_o="3500" height_o="2336" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cdc85757d866d20db20e8ddaff4a84197ba48b3de98b23047ada1fc651ebaa8b/image_preview-3.jpg" data-mid="186711819" border="0" alt="Dropbox at Sundance Film Festival, Designer &mdash; Designed in partnership with Lexi Visco" data-caption="Dropbox at Sundance Film Festival, Designer — Designed in partnership with Lexi Visco" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cdc85757d866d20db20e8ddaff4a84197ba48b3de98b23047ada1fc651ebaa8b/image_preview-3.jpg" /> <img width="2667" height="1354" width_o="2667" height_o="1354" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bace80c61a862985333e874225c675e8b1786e052540a16255191440b01a62d0/image_preview-7.jpg" data-mid="186711955" border="0" alt="Dropbox at Sundance Film Festival, Designer &mdash; Designed in partnership with Lexi Visco" data-caption="Dropbox at Sundance Film Festival, Designer — Designed in partnership with Lexi Visco" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bace80c61a862985333e874225c675e8b1786e052540a16255191440b01a62d0/image_preview-7.jpg" /> <img width="3840" height="2160" width_o="3840" height_o="2160" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/95f7d22680663ac31713d9f384a55468b3c00ae2ef7d49f07e852b003db9d95c/ProductVisualsLibrary.png" data-mid="186706861" border="0" alt="Dropbox Abstract UI Library, Design Direction &mdash; Design by Pedro del Corro, System built in partnership with Dropbox Brand Studio" data-caption="Dropbox Abstract UI Library, Design Direction — Design by Pedro del Corro, System built in partnership with Dropbox Brand Studio" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/95f7d22680663ac31713d9f384a55468b3c00ae2ef7d49f07e852b003db9d95c/ProductVisualsLibrary.png" /> <img width="2560" height="1440" width_o="2560" height_o="1440" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/eb59707c97df4a9f50ce81bb8444de51d1302283089ba38ae71e59374f3f6456/contenticons.gif" data-mid="186899446" border="0" alt="Dropbox Content Icons, Design Director &mdash; Design by Darian Newman, System built by Dropbox Brand Studio &amp; Design Systems teams" data-caption="Dropbox Content Icons, Design Director — Design by Darian Newman, System built by Dropbox Brand Studio &amp; Design Systems teams" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/eb59707c97df4a9f50ce81bb8444de51d1302283089ba38ae71e59374f3f6456/contenticons.gif" /> https://ritatroyer.com/Dropbox-illustration-library Fri, 28 Jul 2023 21:28:15 +0000 Rita Troyer https://ritatroyer.com/Dropbox-illustration-library Dropbox illustration library Championed a bold, creative and more efficient approach to illustration at Dropbox. <img width="5120" height="2880" width_o="5120" height_o="2880" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2d720fa84167424f439ea0df4a9807a65f54c4c918999856667f4a490bff99eb/illustration-library-spot.png" data-mid="187170148" border="0" alt="Spot Illustrations" data-caption="Spot Illustrations" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2d720fa84167424f439ea0df4a9807a65f54c4c918999856667f4a490bff99eb/illustration-library-spot.png" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cd2b359078ed711d593509648834ef06cb4a9278de953e3e683fe01cbc94c1c3/illo-process.gif" data-mid="187032414" border="0" alt="Creation Process" data-caption="Creation Process" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cd2b359078ed711d593509648834ef06cb4a9278de953e3e683fe01cbc94c1c3/illo-process.gif" /> <img width="5120" height="2880" width_o="5120" height_o="2880" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b74fecf4bca35c2c300b93d498a83ffde72f1006ae0777c0a78ae3a50790498a/illustration-library-hero.png" data-mid="187170139" border="0" alt="Hero lllustrations" data-caption="Hero lllustrations" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b74fecf4bca35c2c300b93d498a83ffde72f1006ae0777c0a78ae3a50790498a/illustration-library-hero.png" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0886f1186b1cfeaf57134b388af3172fa50b69b8818f8f7fda3ee4bccd435725/daynight.gif" data-mid="187024084" border="0" alt="Light/Dark Mode" data-caption="Light/Dark Mode" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0886f1186b1cfeaf57134b388af3172fa50b69b8818f8f7fda3ee4bccd435725/daynight.gif" /> <img width="5120" height="2880" width_o="5120" height_o="2880" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f7200d62c9f34484022d48de8dcfdb10a244d93028e32dbd706a8d873cb0dea9/Naming--tagging--alt-text.png" data-mid="187169852" border="0" alt="Names, Tags, Alt text" data-caption="Names, Tags, Alt text" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f7200d62c9f34484022d48de8dcfdb10a244d93028e32dbd706a8d873cb0dea9/Naming--tagging--alt-text.png" /> BackgroundDropbox was lacking a unified illustration style across the customer journey. While many loved the imagination and playful quality of the previous style, some users struggled to connect it with their own context or experience, leading to occasional misunderstandings and tonal misfires. At the same time we were revising our illustration style, I saw an opportunity to overhaul our creation, request and delivery process to better serve our business and customer goals. ProblemPrior to our visual refresh, illustrations were hard-coded and were created net new with each request, resulting in redundant, difficult-to-update illustrations and illustrator burnout. Solution Created a library that supports: End-to-end cohesion from marketing into productIncreases product team velocity Reduces tech debtBrings humanity, warmth, and a bit of soul to abstract technological conceptsCommunicates complex, dry topics with personality &amp; charm Results&nbsp;Lead a team of ~20 in creating a reusable, concept-based illustration library for use across brand, marketing and product. Went from 350+ unique illustrations hard coded with no central repository for two products, to 225+ illustrations delivered through Dropbox Interface Guidelines (Figma &amp; code) across nine+ products.Illustration library includes metadata for search (names, tags), standard sizing, support for light/dark modes, alt text, support for lottie animation, a new creation, request and delivery process. Drove web, mobile and prompt team adoption and migration to the new system. Reduced our illustration file size on mobile by 50%, decreased iOS app size by ~12 MB.With this evolution, we have taken the best of the past and built on it, creating a more sophisticated, warm, and inclusive expression without losing the soul and charm that customers have always enjoyed. TeamKristine Sale, Gabrielle Matte, Fanny Luor, Justin Tran, Olenka Malarecka, Gabriela Tylenda, April Rosenstock, Felize Tolentino, Vu Tran, Hector Matos,&nbsp;Mark Pleskac, Cate McGehee, Chad Wong, Stan Yeung, Lauren LoPrete, Cat Le, Liz Gilmore https://ritatroyer.com/Visual-identity-in-products-Team-vision-strategy Fri, 28 Jul 2023 21:28:15 +0000 Rita Troyer https://ritatroyer.com/Visual-identity-in-products-Team-vision-strategy Visual identity in products: Team vision &amp; strategy Scaled my impact from the sole embedded brand designer in the product org to leading a team of four. <img width="3840" height="2160" width_o="3840" height_o="2160" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/30f49264ad55dc435e474ae6fb9f30e353dc107b5897c81673e4e532e87990d8/Use4.jpg" data-mid="187168876" border="0" alt="Team Mission" data-caption="Team Mission" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/30f49264ad55dc435e474ae6fb9f30e353dc107b5897c81673e4e532e87990d8/Use4.jpg" /> <img width="3840" height="2160" width_o="3840" height_o="2160" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7beb0ab7626742c6898a26758c808b54a721e41f2f45e3467bff0ae5bf8b5c64/Use6.jpg" data-mid="187041280" border="0" alt="Team Mission" data-caption="Team Mission" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7beb0ab7626742c6898a26758c808b54a721e41f2f45e3467bff0ae5bf8b5c64/Use6.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/61f3d733ac465b8b9552b8dc67e9c43c22ac508948de555ce5ed4f05d09c4876/teamshowcase.gif" data-mid="187168430" border="0" alt="Team Showcase" data-caption="Team Showcase" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/61f3d733ac465b8b9552b8dc67e9c43c22ac508948de555ce5ed4f05d09c4876/teamshowcase.gif" /> Problem Our internal lack of brand and product partnership was creating an inconsistent external end-to-end customer experience.&nbsp; SolutionDefined the vision and strategy for a new team and communicated how the team’s strategy aligned with broader business goals. Influenced partner team roadmaps and a brand team reorg. ResultsDefined Visual Identity Systems (VIS) in Products as a discipline, set strategy and vision for the team in annual planning. Broke down silos within and across functions and influenced others to drop our org chart and reach the best outcome for Dropbox customers.Built well documented end-to-end systems that support the customer. Increasing team velocity, reducing technical debt, and building business efficiencies across the engineering, product and design organization. Coached my team to navigate the complexity and ambiguity of a reorg and set up clear career growth paths for my team.Managed and hired a diverse and talented team with a broad range of experience and strengths. Lead hiring decisions and supported in day to day team management. https://ritatroyer.com/Defined-delivered-Dropbox-s-refreshed-visual-identity-system Tue, 01 Aug 2023 21:07:59 +0000 Rita Troyer https://ritatroyer.com/Defined-delivered-Dropbox-s-refreshed-visual-identity-system Defined &amp; delivered Dropbox’s refreshed visual identity system Launched a refreshed visual identity system visible to 700 million customers. <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/277cfe131e60fbd0729c1c48c780a6128482c6f70697901488eabeb8b7d4abe3/beforeafter.gif" data-mid="187045707" border="0" alt="Before/After" data-caption="Before/After" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/277cfe131e60fbd0729c1c48c780a6128482c6f70697901488eabeb8b7d4abe3/beforeafter.gif" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a8425356889e1a7e6b47eccf3c65d767232f9cc686500fefcf4be15f49a5cdd1/visionwork.gif" data-mid="187169257" border="0" alt="Vision for product teams" data-caption="Vision for product teams" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a8425356889e1a7e6b47eccf3c65d767232f9cc686500fefcf4be15f49a5cdd1/visionwork.gif" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/72cbc3d22e89939a614bbd288a6a1087733b1485c5d46598fc550941a4e27a54/multiproduct.gif" data-mid="187044604" border="0" alt="New products using the refreshed visual identity system in DIG" data-caption="New products using the refreshed visual identity system in DIG" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/72cbc3d22e89939a614bbd288a6a1087733b1485c5d46598fc550941a4e27a54/multiproduct.gif" /> Problem Dropbox had an inconsistent brand experience across the customer journey. Our users were confused and felt mistrustful—we were undermining the foundation of our relationship. Solution We refreshed all surfaces end-to-end to create a cohesive user experience and build trust and recognition for our brand. This work set us up to be a multi-product company.My role Set the design direction and drove the year-long, cross-functional effort to implement the visual identity system design direction in Dropbox Interface Guidelines &amp; our product UI.Identified new solutions for ambiguous and open-ended problems (ex. no motion standards in product, hundreds of hard-coded illustrations).Formed and lead cross functional teams from idea to execution and migration on multi-phase workstreams for illustration, motion, icon and logo libraries.Results Applied a refreshed Visual Identity System to DIG and all new products—communicating that when Dropbox, the brand, is strong; the individual products are stronger. TeamBen Crick, Pedro del Corro, Sydney Goldstein, Theresa Ma, Gabrielle Matte, Olenka Malarecka, Bhakti Patel, Alexandra Schardt, Angie Shih, Etienne Ma, Anna Sternoff, Andrew Mocny, Jeff Gochman, Stan Yeung, Jay Stakelon, Kortni Bottini, Collin Whitehead, Steve Holm, Michael Jeter, Liz Gilmore, Jessica Svendsen,&nbsp;Lauren LoPrete, Sandra Bilbrey, Phil Vander Broek, Lyndsey Bauers, Micah Roberson, Ben Hersh, David Peter Simon,&nbsp;Erik Berger Vaage, Megan McCarthy, Yeun Kim, Cat Le, Jeremy Tinianow, Fanny Luor, Justin Tran,&nbsp;Design Systems Design &amp; Engineering, Brand Studio, Growth, Brand Marketing, Research, Engineering Product and Design