Design Strategist Adam Reed On His New Gig At Edward Jones, Looking For Problems, And the Cat He's About to Own
What is the one book people should read to understand what you do?
Tough question. This answer changes based on my career trajectory. Currently, I’d recommend Poor Charlie’s Almanack to explore and understand the wisdom collected by Charlie Munger, Warren Buffet’s business partner at Berkshire Hathaway. He’s learned a ton over his lifetime, and has a great framing to understand how/why people make bad decisions. He also introduced me to many mental models I use to work through ambiguity.
What have you seen lately that’s been inspiring?
Jack Butcher is building community and content, called Visualize Value, around what I believe is the future of the modern entrepreneurial mindset and mode of operation. Inspired by and leveraging wisdom collected by past and current great thinkers, including Charlie Munger and Naval Ravikant, his efforts have changed the way I think about earning a living with my mind, not just my time. Inspiring, challenging, and supporting a diverse group of do-gooders and go-getters, Jack and his wife, Celia, are creating something very special.
What have you been associated with that has been inspiring?
I started a new job three weeks ago as a Design Strategist for Edward Jones. It’s a very exciting time in the storied history of a 100-year-old company. I will contribute to the ongoing human-centered transformation there, exploring and addressing existing and future important, unsolved customer problems.
Adam’s sweet hypothetical cat
Do you have a pet?
No, but my 8-year-old wants a cat. So, yes, soon.
What’s your favorite desktop/office item?
iPhone. Coffee. Habanero almonds.
What website other than the major social, search, and news sites, do you have bookmarked?
tradingview.com, fs.blog (Farnam Street blog), Notion.so
When we worked for Adam Reed at Publicis Hawkeye, we were struck by the empathy and imagination he brought to web UX. After four years leading a design team at Intuit, he recently joined Edward Jones as a Design Strategist.
Adam’s advice to his kids, in signage form.
