Ryan Stone

Staff Product Designer on the Shopify Markets team at Shopify

Issue #223 December 1, 2022

About

Ryan Stone is currently working as a staff product designer on the Shopify Markets team at Shopify. His team is building revolutionary tools that enable millions of merchants to scale their businesses internationally.

Before Shopify, he was designing flight seatmaps at Expedia, trail finders at REI, and iOS apps at QVC.

He also moonlights as a serial entrepreneur. His brain constantly seeks unique problems to be solved. His current ventures are photography and raising kiddos, but he has previously founded a hat company, designed business logos and print media, created a design podcast, and paid his way through college as a commissioned fine artist.

Photos

6 images

Gear

8 items

Computer MacBook Pro M1

Monitor LG UltraFine 5K Buy

Keyboard Apple Keyboard + Mouse

Webcam Logitech Brio 4K Pro webcam Buy

Microphone Blue Yeti

Headphones Sony WH-1000XM4 Buy

Desk Flexispot EC1 Mahogany adjustable desk Buy

Chair SIHOO Ergonomic office chair Buy

Software

8 apps

Figma (of course)

Notion

Principle

Spotify

G-suite

Airtable

iMovie

Lightroom

Interview

3 questions

› What is your favorite item in your workspace?

In college I took a 3D sculpting class. It was my first experience in multi-dimensional design and I fell in love. The flow state of sculpting is incomparable and surreal. For my final project I sculpted this hyper-realistic plastalina replica of my high school football cleat. It took an entire month and countless retries. It sits in my office as a reminder of what I’m capable of when the imposter syndrome creeps in.My second favorite item is my dog Odin. He is the best coworker.

› How do you spark creativity?

Honestly, anything fitness wise. I like to think through ideas without disruptions, and the best place for me to do that is when I’m taking a walk, running, or lifting.

› How do you keep the work-life balance?

Working 100% remote requires setting clear boundaries with both colleagues and family. I keep my work calendar blocked off to keep meetings within core hours. I get ready for work as if I’m commuting, and try to convince my kiddos that I’m unavailable for playtime during core hours. It’s easier said than done sometimes. Also, wearing jeans at home has been a life-hack for tricking my mind into thinking it’s work-o’clock. I highly recommend it.