Michael Riddering

Founding designer at Maven and the creator of Figma Academy

Issue #152 May 7, 2022

About

Michael Riddering (aka Ridd) is the founding designer at Maven where he spends his days thinking about the future of online learning. He's also the creator of Figma Academy—an advanced design course taught directly inside of Figma. On the side, he tinkers with all kinds of fun internet things including a new Talent Network for designers.For the most part, he struggles to write in the third person and would love to be friends on the Twitter bird.

Photos

4 images

Gear

14 items

Desk Apex Desk Elite Series 71" standing desk Buy

Accessories Acoustic panels from Output

Monitor BenQ UHD Monitor

Microphone Shure SM7B Buy

Chair Herman Miller Mirra chair

Lighting GVM 80W LED Studio key light Buy

Lighting Elgato mounted key light Buy

Speakers Arrow Universal Audio interface

Computer AirPod pros + max + M1 Macbook Air Buy

Desk Mat Topo comfort standing mat by ergodriven Buy

Webcam AverMedia webcam Buy

Accessories Way more colored smart lights than he needs

Accessories Wilson GST football always

Accessories Reflect (notes for days) Buy

Software

6 apps

Notion (note-taking, personal task management)

Loom (asynchronous collaboration and presenting of ideas)

Slack (synchronous collaboration)

Linear (task management for Maven)

Figma (my one true love)

Lemon Squeezy (powers Figma Academy)

Interview

7 questions

› What hardware makes up your workspace?

Apex Desk Elite Series 71" standing desk

› What’s in your tech stack?

Arrow Universal Audio interface

› What is your favorite item in your workspace?

AirPod pros + max + M1 Macbook Air

› How do you spark creativity?

Topo comfort standing mat by ergodriven

› What’s in your tech stack?

Notion (note-taking, personal task management) Loom (asynchronous collaboration and presenting of ideas) Slack (synchronous collaboration) Linear (task management for Maven) Figma (my one true love) Reflect (notes for days)Lemon Squeezy (powers Figma Academy)

› How do you spark creativity?

I dance. It's not pretty, but it's spirited for sure. Whenever I'm gearing up for a focused sprint I throw my headphones on and start moving my body. You'll most likely find me jamming to artists like Pretty Lights, Emancipator, and if I'm really going for it... Opiuo.

› How do you keep the work-life balance?

Honestly... I don't. But I think that's ok :) There's so much overlap between my day job (Maven) and my business as a creator and right now it all kind of feels like playtime. I consider myself immensely blessed to be able to make a living doing what I love.