Design Better Natalya Shelburne: How designers and developers work together at The New York Times
5 snips
Mar 2, 2020 
Natalya Shelburne and Emily Campbell dive into the synergy between design and development at The New York Times and IBM, respectively. Natalya shares her journey from designer to Tech Lead for Design Engineering, highlighting her approach to bridging the gap between disciplines. They discuss the importance of respect in cross-functional teams and strategies to overcome fears when transitioning roles. Additionally, Emily explores the challenges and successes of implementing design systems in large organizations, advocating for a startup mindset and adaptability in tech.
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Scenic Route Into Engineering
- Natalya describes a scenic-route into software after studying fine art and psychology and running a nonprofit arts program.
- She taught herself front-end work to solve real problems like camp enrollment and gradually moved into startups and engineering.
Growing Up Between Worlds
- Natalya recounts immigrating from Siberia at age seven and growing up between cultures.
- That experience taught her to see from others' perspectives and to ask 'what else can it be?' when solving problems.
Call Out Fears And Seek Community
- Name your fears out loud and focus on community to overcome them when switching careers into tech.
- Seek supportive people and mentorship to find potential and opportunities despite stereotypes.