Gil Cohen, product designer

Published by Leonardo Calcagno

Who are you:

I’m Gil Cohen, I’m a product designer who lives and breathes design since the time I remember myself.

Your current job:

I established ‘Big in Design’ studio four years ago. I provide design services and consultation to companies and start-ups through all product stages from concept to production.

In which city are you located?

Toronto, Ontario

A word to define what kind of worker you are:

I’m 100% devoted to what I do and never compromise on aesthetics. I like to create innovative designs to make the product stand out. I am great at finding creative solutions in spite of technical constraints.

What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)

I use my software just for the execution of my work the actual melting pot of my ideas is done by pencil and paper I find this ‘old school ‘ tool to be the best in expressing my thoughts and visions as if it was an extension of my mind.

What does your office space look like?

My office is my little mansion. It is tidy, cozy and quiet. It helps me work on multiple projects at the same time without feeling vertigo.

I’m on the verge of renovating my space at the moment to accommodate expansion….Stay tuned…

What kind of music do you listen when you are working?

I like all types of music but I found that mainly Jazz, chillout, and house allow me to enjoy music and concentrate on work at the same time.

Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work?

The high workload has taught me to juggle between several projects every day and make a little progress in each of them rather than work in a linear way. I’m not sure if that’s the best way to manage your time but it works for me and keeps my clients happy.

What tips would you give to improve productivity?

Arrange your environment and background music (if necessary) in a way that helps you focus best. your focus is the key to everything you would like to achieve in life and certainly at work.

When I work I pretend I am inside the water it helps me slow down, distil background sounds and ignore the rush of the day so that I can give full attention to the project at hand.

You’re better than your colleagues to:

I value my individualism and therefore I do not compare myself to others. I know my self-value and my strengths as a professional. I am an outside of the box thinker, a perfectionist and I truly work from a place of passion and love for what I do.

I also have the unique ability to move my ears;-)