Meet a #futureshaper: Mariana Gutierrez

Mariana Gutierrez was so passionate about the local technology projects developed by her colleagues, that she decided she wanted to be part of them.

Shortly after volunteering to conduct observational research studies with Honeywell User Experience, she became the first researcher at Honeywell User Experience Design Studio in Mexico City.

Now, Mariana is senior user experience design supervisor for our Safety & Productivity Products business.

Based on Mexico City, Mexico; here is her #futureshaper story.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I jumped between the ideas of becoming a designer, an inventor and even a journalist. All are very diverse disciplines, but one day I came across my current role, which somehow combines them all. I interview people to learn about their needs and collaborate with designers and inventors to ideate user-centered concepts.

What gets you excited about going to work every day?

To connect with a diverse group of people inside and outside the company. Every single day I learn something new while interacting with Honeywell’s solutions users. I do field research at our customers sites, listen to market updates from my business colleagues and interact with my engineering peers while they build prototypes for breakthrough innovations at our research and development labs.

Did you ever imagine you would end up in the job you are now?

No, never. One year before getting my bachelor’s degree, I got an internship where I learned about UX, basic coding skills and how to design a user interface. After several career moves to marketing and communications, I never thought I would go back to a design team doing software-industrial solutions.

What do you do?

I collect data by talking with people and observing their behavior, surroundings and the artifacts they use (similarly to what an anthropologist does). I analyze if they face any challenges to perform their tasks and then share my learnings with my design team. Together, we explore ways to make people’s lives easier, and, ultimately, provide them with an outstanding experience with Honeywell solutions.

If you were a fortune reader, what would you predict as the future of your industry?

I see an industry where we no longer focus on business-to-business or business-to-consumer models, but rather on how to empower or augment human capabilities with seamless technology.

In your eyes, what qualities does a #futureshaper possess?

A #futureshaper is committed to provide expertise to drive meaningful change and whose attitude drives other to collectively transform how the world works.

What advice would you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Keep a child-like curiosity and adventurous attitude. Grasp at every chance you get to meet with someone. Learn different subject matters or try something new. Openly ask questions, challenge the status quo and be bold enough to propose crazy ideas, even if you fail while putting them into action. Treasure your learnings, you never know when they will become useful in the future.

When you are not working, what do you do for fun?

I like to travel, especially if I can spend time outdoors, visit art museums or taste new food.

Learn more about what it is like to be a #futureshaper.