Cyriac Jannel, 2019 alumni, designer in London

Cyriac Jannel in London on 26 January 2024

L'École de design Nantes Atlantique went to London to meet its graduates and immerse in their daily lives, to better understand their strategic role within their company, in an international context. Stéphanie Martin-Petit, Careers Manager, spoke in particular to Cyriac Jannel. Cyriac graduated from the school in 2019 with a degree in interactive design, followed by a Masters in the Media Design Lab. He is now Senior Product Designer at Yelp, an American company that develops the Yelp.com website and the Yelp mobile application. The company specialises in publishing participatory reviews and connecting users with local businesses.

How do you think the design professions have evolved in recent years?

What has changed the most, in my opinion, is the place of design within companies. Yelp, for example, was traditionally focused on engineering and product management, with very little attention paid to design. Over the past five years, the design team has significantly expanded, even tripling in size. Management has realized the value that designers can bring to the company, as well as the benefits of a user-centered approach.

How is your design profession strategic?

Designers bring a sensitivity that other roles may not have. Product managers, for example, often prioritize raw metrics without considering qualitative data or the user experience as a whole. Designers introduce a new dimension through research by directly engaging with users to comprehend their expectations and needs. This approach offers a distinct perspective and enables the understanding of problems beyond mere numbers. The way we identify potential opportunities and measure their impact on users have evolved significantly.

Cyriac Jannel devant le logo Yelp

What has the school brought you?

The bachelor's level degree helped me a lot technically, providing me with the tools and skills to design interfaces and produce screens that are both aesthetic and functional. The master's level degree allowed me to develop my thinking and methodology, providing me with a more thoughtful approach to projects.

Any advice for future designers?

I would advise them to be curious and go beyond the expectations from the school (...) I believe it's essential to research, read articles, and attend online conferences, especially in these rapidly evolving industries.