I’ve been in the field of design for the better part of two decades on both client–side and design consultancies. I started my career designing logotypes, magazines, posters and album covers, inspired by the likes of David Carson and Neville Brody. I did a stint in advertising and soon realized it wasn’t for me. Then, I joined a design agency in London that specialized in websites. There and then I recognized this was something I really wanted to do.
From the BBC to McKinsey
I worked at various design agencies in London and after 10 years, I joined the BBC’s Future Media and Technology department to work on their London 2012 strategy. We developed a website, a mobile app and their streaming services. It was pretty awesome to impact the strategy of various channels and engage millions of users. My experience at the BBC led me to work as a creative director at Vodafone and then Barclays. In October 2014, I got a call to join McKinsey’s design team as an executive design director.
Since accepting the role three years ago, I’ve traveled the world working on exciting projects with incredibly smart and interesting people. Going around the globe, inspiring clients and colleagues about design and customer experience has made the last three years very fulfilling.
Unraveling the world's toughest problems.
It has been incredible to see how much the firm has embraced design as a crucial part of client service. We integrate design methodologies with the firm’s more traditional problem-solving approach to discover new perspectives while unraveling some of our clients’ toughest strategic puzzles.
Since joining McKinsey, I have grown as a person by learning about different cultures, customs and behaviors that help me better understand how to solve our client’s problems more effectively. As an advocate for the customer and the design process within the corporate environment, I led experience design teams that built a digital bank in the Middle East, helped people make smarter choices about their retirement in Chile, and re–imagined the experience in one of London’s biggest maternity wards. I cannot think of more exciting work.
Outside work
When I’m not in a boardroom or team room talking about design, I spend time in London with my 13-year-old daughter: cooking, watching movies, listening to music, and swimming … until winter arrives, then, as my daughter regularly points out, winter is for eating chocolate not swimming.
Since I spend a lot of time on airplanes I’ve been catching up on a bunch of books. I’m currently reading a book by Yvon Chouinard called “Let My People Go Surfing.” The book sums up my approach to work-life balance. As much as I love being in a team room, solving problems and designing experiences, there comes a time of day when I just say “I’ve got to go surfing!
About Pedro
Pedro is a London-based experience designer and consultant. Prior to McKinsey, he's served as design and creative director at Yahoo!, Barclays, Vodafone, and the BBC, among others. He holds degrees in graphic-product design and communication design from PUC-Rio and the University of Arts London.For more information on McKinsey's design career paths, visit mckinsey.com/TechCareers.