Episode #56: Jeff Appel, Lead Designer at Ghost Town Creative Services

Jeff Appel is Founder and Lead Designer at Ghost Town Creative Services, a small design studio located in Denver, Colorado. At Ghost Town and in various FTE situations, Jeff has worked with high-velocity startups, rad UX agencies, global enterprise companies, and just about everybody in between. He's passionate about connecting human beings, ideas, and objects through good design and building healthy, cross-functional, and collaborative teams. When Jeff isn't designing, he's doing stereotypical Colorado things like skiing with his two daughters, rock climbing, cycling, or catching a yoga session. He loves to read and write and learn new things.
Background

A Deep Dive into Jeff's Journey

Jeff is the Founder and Lead Designer at Ghost Town Creative Services, a small design studio specializing in creating exceptional experiences through design. Jeff's experience working with high-velocity startups, rad UX agencies, and global enterprise companies has given him a unique perspective on design and product experimentation.

Product Experimentation: A Vital Component of Jeff's Design Philosophy

Jeff's passion for connecting human beings, ideas, and objects through good design is evident in his work. He believes the key to creating exceptional products is continually experimenting and iterating. Jeff's philosophy is rooted in the idea that product experimentation is not just about testing a product but also about testing the assumptions and hypotheses behind it.

Creating a Culture of Experimentation

Jeff is passionate about creating a culture of experimentation within organizations. He believes that experimentation should be a part of the company culture and should be encouraged and supported from the top down. According to Jeff, experimentation should be integrated into the design process and should be a regular part of the development cycle. He believes that when designers feel safe to experiment and fail, they are more likely to take risks and come up with innovative solutions. Jeff also stresses the importance of collaboration in experimentation. He believes that designers should work closely with other stakeholders, including product managers, engineers, and marketers, to gather feedback and insights that can inform the design process.

Iterating and Refining Products

Jeff's focus on experimentation and iteration is not just about testing and validating assumptions; it is also about refining and improving products over time. Jeff believes that design is an iterative process, and products should evolve based on user feedback and changing market trends. According to Jeff, designers should be constantly monitoring user feedback and iterating on their designs to ensure that the product is meeting the needs of its users. He argues that the key to successful product design is not just creating a great product, but also ensuring that the product continues to meet the needs of its users over time.

Jeff's Design Philosophy in Action

Jeff's design philosophy is evident in the work that he does at Ghost Town Creative Services. His team has worked with a variety of clients, from high-velocity startups to global enterprise companies, and his focus on experimentation and iteration is consistent across all of his projects.

Conclusion

Jeff Appel is a passionate designer and founder who believes in the power of product experimentation. His focus on creating a culture of experimentation, iterating on products based on user feedback, and collaborating with stakeholders has enabled him to create exceptional products for a wide range of clients. Jeff's design philosophy is not just about testing and validating assumptions but also about refining and improving products over time.

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