Our Young Guns profile takes a weekly look at some of the young talent across the advertising, ad tech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles, people and companies across the buzzing industry.
Today we speak to Isobar experience designer Troi Ilsley.
How long have you been in the industry?
This will be my first year in the industry.
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
Before working at Isobar, I was barista and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth mentor. In my spare time, I still mentor.
A co-worker told me about the Founding Futures scholarship by Isobar and Academy Xi. This enabled me to take the 10-week course in user experience (UX) design where I found my love for UX. After I completed the course, Isobar offered me a spot as a graduate UX Designer.
Who's your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
My sisters Nakia and Chamika. They are my ‘go to’ for guidance. They aren’t in the UX field, but they always help me keep an open mind and encourage me to think creatively to find solutions. They always prompt me to think deeper.
Best thing about the industry you work in:
Getting to work with people with unique mindsets but also knowing that you are designing to have a positive impact.
And the biggest challenge?
Sometimes we all have to collaborate with people who aren’t really empathetic and are biased, and that can be challenging. When a person is stubborn with their own views and doesn’t think about other’s perspectives, it can be hard to create a good product. We can’t design for ourselves, we have to design for the user?
Define your job in one word:
Deadly.
What were your real and cliché expectations of working in the industry?
People in business suits, quoting work clichés.
How does the reality match up?
Not everyone wears business suits, but I still hear work clichés a lot. The most popular being ‘keep me in the loop’.
How would you describe what the company does and what does your role involve?
Isobar is a global agency that digitally transforms brands, businesses and communities through creativity. My role as an experience designer (UX) is to create positive experiences for the users who are interacting with the product.
Any major hard learnings in the job so far?
Personally, I found it hard to accept that there is no such thing as perfect.
If you had to switch over to another department, which would it be and why?
I would switch into the studio apartment. From what I’ve seen, they are super busy, but they work on some cool projects. I also have an interest in editing photos and videos.
What's exciting you about the industry right now?
That the UX space is growing. I find it exciting that more people are getting more interested in UX, as I find it a great field.
What concerns you about the industry and its future?
My concerns with the UX space in the future is that non-empathetic people are going to enter the space. Without empathy and seeing from other’s perspective, it’s hard to do UX and the quality of the work might not be the greatest.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
I’m someone who likes to solely focus on the present and get that right, so I haven’t planned that far ahead yet.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
When I am lacking inspiration, I turn to the artists/dancers/poets Jahrager, Amrita Hepi and Vanessa Marian. But my main sources of inspiration are my family and my culture. When I am struggling with my creativity, I source from my Aboriginal culture or have a conversation with my family. This helps me a lot.
My favourite advert is (and why)?
My favourite ad at present is Lotte Duty Free collaboration with South Korean boy band BTS.
I love the concept of using the most popular K-pop idol group with a huge fanbase to promote their brand through a mini music video.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
My co-workers don’t know that I’m a dancer. I danced professionally from the age of six, doing traditional/contemporary. I’m currently doing traditional/contemporary dance as well as hip hop.
In five years' time I'll be:
A youth mentor still and hopefully working abroad in UX.
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