Amélie Lamont
Product Strategist, Founder of User Space Craft
Columbus, OH
www.userspacecraft.com
linkedin/alamont / linkedin/userspacecraft
Q What do you do?
“I run User Space Craft, where I help startups audit and repair underperforming products.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
My path has been unconventional! As a youth, I considered becoming a chef, an esthetician, a doctor, and marrying Michael Jackson. As an adult, none of those things happened, but I have had many careers, including being a makeup artist and photographer. Of course, my love of making Sailor Moon fan sites had to pay off at some point, so I eventually found myself working as a designer in the tech industry (thank you, Neopets and GeoCities / rest in peace Anime Turnpike).
I’m a user-centered design expert with over 2 decades of experience in product design. I now develop product strategies that drive conversion for high-growth startups, focusing on Product Audits and Advisory Retainers.
Prior to becoming running my own business full-time, I led and collaborated on design initiatives at companies such as The New York Times, Google, Meta, Apple, eBay, Adobe, Travelers Insurance, Booz Allen Hamilton, VenueBook, and Lola.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
As a product strategist, my approach works against the all-or-nothing Silicon Valley model, with layers of thoughtfulness, nuance, and co-creation.
My goal is to help organizations break away from “business as usual” while blending equity, justice, and community values into their products.
Q What are you working on right now?
I’m working on an open-source design history book in my spare time.
Q What’s your style?
Creative work can be complex, contextual, cultural, nuanced, and respectful, especially those that center on building digital products. My work doesn’t exist in a vacuum, so I always hold space for the communities my work may impact. The current project that represents this would be The Guide to Allyship.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I would like to improve my skills as an illustrator. As a strategist, I’m all about storytelling, and I think there’s something powerful about blending visual storytelling with language and presentation.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Thankfully, I don’t have any significant frustrations right now.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I’d hire someone to take care of administrative business tasks like following up on emails and managing my calendar.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I would tell my past self to rest more and worry less. I’m incredibly hard-working, sometimes to a fault. I’d fall ill when I was younger due to burnout and overwork. Now that I’m older, I believe that rest is where it’s at, and it’s the key to me doing my best work.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I’d love to talk with an expert about how they write braided and interconnected stories for games. If done well, writing that weaves complex stories spanning multiple decision points is a powerful skill. It’s the skill that makes you sit at the edge of your seat when listening to a storyteller.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I love conducting Product Audits. I define Product Audits as the meticulous examination of a product, from the business down to specific flows. When done well, they holistically examine how seemingly unrelated parts of a business impact your core SaaS product and its goals.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
High-growth, funded startups who want to fix their product and need a lil’ design and product expertise.
Q: What is your rate?
Working with me requires a minimum budget of $10,000.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
I appreciate candid and direct communication, even if that means sharing that you’re not quite sure of what you need—this usually includes a budget, scope, and a willingness to set up a 15-minute chat to see if we’re a good match.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Kim Hutchinson: Kim is family to me. She’s always rooting for me and pushing me to greater heights. She’s a phenomenal design and product leader, and anyone with the privilege of experiencing her presence would agree that she’s a bright energy and joy to have around. Thanks, Kim!💗
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Roller skating, soldering, building electronics, dancing.
This member profile was originally published in January 2022 / last updated March 2023.