Although he didn’t know it at the time, Lead Product Designer Paul Russo’s design career actually began in high school. “I started designing websites and posters for my friends’ bands,” he says, “But it wasn’t until later that I found out I could actually have a career in graphic design!” While his degree was in Graphic Design, his long-term interest in web design and development is what started his career as a designer and front-end developer.
Since then, Paul has worked on a wide array of digital projects for Fortune 500 companies in fintech, telecomm, and fitness. He joined Realtor.com in 2021 and is now a Lead Product Designer focused on designing the Search experience for our mobile apps.
We sat down with Paul to learn more about the work he does in mobile, his tech team, and why he loves his career at Realtor.com.
Q. What does a designer do at Realtor.com?
Paul: As a designer, I work closely with my engineering and product partners to find new ways to evolve our user experience or solve any problems that come up. Most recently, I have been working on improving our search filter experience. I conducted and collected past research to gain a better understanding. Then, I teamed up with our engineering team and other key stakeholders to determine our product requirements. Finally, I created new information architecture and design concepts that we will validate through additional research to ensure that the final product meets the expectations of our users.
Q. What excited you about joining the team?
Paul: I have always loved designing mobile apps and was thrilled to have the opportunity to do so again. Another thing that attracted me to working at Realtor.com was the opportunity to work with such a talented and compassionate team of people.
Q. What innovative ideas have you worked on at Realtor.com?
Paul: Earlier this year, I had the chance to lead the redesign of our mobile app. It was an amazing opportunity to completely revamp and rethink the Realtor.com mobile app experience. This project has been a major milestone for the company and has set the stage for even more exciting work in the future. The new app is now live, and I can’t wait for everyone to try it out for themselves.
Q. Tell us about a current project that you are working on.
Paul: I’m really excited to be working on redesigning our Filter experience for Search right now. Our goal is to create a more consistent user experience across all platforms. This project is particularly exciting because it’s the first step in thinking about how we can make it even easier for our users to find and stay updated on the homes they’re interested in. Right now, we’re focused on addressing obstacles that slow users’ ability to find the perfect homes and stay on top of new listings.
Q. What does your typical day look like?
Paul: I have daily standups with my team to stay informed about our priorities and progress. I also regularly meet with other team members to discuss new or ongoing initiatives. In addition, I am constantly creating designs and working on tasks related to my current project.
Q. How is working at Realtor.com different from where you’ve worked before?
Paul: I am so grateful to work for a company like Realtor.com that places such a strong emphasis on work-life balance. Our leadership team is truly committed to helping us succeed in our roles, and they provide us with all the resources and flexibility we need to step away and return feeling refreshed. It’s an amazing aspect of our company culture, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it.
Q. Which of our four values (People are our foundation; Consumers are our north star; Build, reconstruct, build better; and We own it) do you identify with most in your work, and why?
Paul: As a designer, I believe that “consumers are our north star.” It’s important to focus on their needs and interests in our work and use their feedback to improve and make our products better. This will help us keep them coming back and help Realtor.com succeed in achieving its goals.
Q. What advice would you give other designers looking to join Realtor.com?
Paul: At Realtor.com, we value individuality and authenticity. We are constantly seeking talented and qualified individuals who can bring their unique perspectives and ideas to our team and inject fresh energy into our work.
Q. What do you like best about working at Realtor.com?
Paul: I am grateful to be part of this company’s incredible team and culture. The people I work with here are truly amazing, and I enjoy collaborating with them. Additionally, I really appreciate the leadership’s recognition of the importance of design and its role within the company. It is a rewarding place to work.
Q. Why should someone join Realtor.com?
Paul: You will have the chance to work with an amazing group of people and make a big difference in our products. No matter your role, there are plenty of opportunities to contribute and drive change. This is a rewarding and exciting place to work and grow your career.
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Paul Russo