HEAD OF PRODUCT DESIGN APPLICATION

Synthesia to the moon? Let's do it.

Let's do it.

Hi! I’m Maros, and it’s been 15 years since I last applied for a job. But when this opportunity arose, I knew it was the right time. I've been designing since 2007, and I've built, led, and successfully sold a 15-person product design studio. Let's chat!

maros.zelenak@gmail.com Click above to copy

Past Roles

Chief Design Officer, Board member, Vacuum group
2018-2020 Following the acquisition, I led and grew the design department within the Vacuum Group, creating and supporting numerous portfolio SaaS products and companies as well as client projects clients such as Standard Chartered, 365.bank, and many others. Served on the board of directors during growth phase from 80 to 350 people.

Founder, Hellephant

🎉 Acquired

2012-2018

I founded, managed, and subsequently sold the product design and branding studio Hellephant. Oversaw a team of 13 designers and managed multiple B2B and B2C projects for clients such as Red Bull, Raiffeisen Bank, Lenovo etc.

Freelance product and brand designer
2006-PRESENT Began as a graphic designer creating websites and banners, later transitioning exclusively to product design and occasionaly branding.

Student Brand Manager, Red Bull
2009-2012Conceptualized and executed marketing activities at universities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Served as the creative leader of the CZ/SK Student Brand Manager team. Also, designing for Red Bull International.

Motivations

Why I’m applying

To Synthesia

For me, Synthesia represents the epitome of artificial intelligence, revolutionizing the landscape by democratizing access to video creation, cutting down costs, making it easily accessible, and imbuing AI with genuine purpose while easily understandable.

For the Head of Product Design role

My mind is constantly buzzing with thoughts on how things function and how they could be improved, and being part of a team of like-minded individuals only fuels this passion. While solving people's problems is impactful, leading a team of problem solvers amplifies that impact. Plus, I've successfully done so in the past.

10+YEARS OF EXPERIENCE LEADING TEAMS

My experience w/ managing and growing teams

Finding and cultivating talent

Identifying missing roles and scouting for new faces
Creating and conducting the complete designer hiring process
Conducting in-person or remote interviews and evaluations
Onboarding new designers to the team

Letting people grow

Conducting 1-on-1s with team members
Identifying their strengths and weaknesses and facilitating improvement
Setting expectations for their current and potential future roles
Cultivating activities that promote independence with responsibility

Exploring what’s next

Continuously monitoring advancements in technology, design and tooling
Establishing a shared library of inspirations from the team, sharing ideas
Hosting occasional brainstorming sessions to foster out-of-the-box thinking

Rolling up sleeves

Actually designing :)
Available at any hour to ensure tasks are completed
I've got a professional proficiency in current market-standard tools such as Figma, Adobe Suite, and more
Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the current tech, tools and design trends

"At the studio he founded, Maros managed to create a culture of doing good work, while also having a good time. I spent a couple of years working with him, and looking back it was a springboard that got me to leadership. Maros knows the design craft well, and has a knack for keeping people engaged. "

Martin Maricak

Currently Head of Product and Design at Scene.io

15+YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DESIGNING

My experience w/ designing products

hours spent designing,
hundreds of hours spent talking to users in-person and online.
Solving problems never solved before.

EXTRAS

Speaking, mentoring and community

I co-founded UX Košice community, helped organise meetups and mentored young designers.

I co-founded, organised and spoke at a series of Design Meetups focused on product design and design systems.

I mentored teams at Techstars Startup weekends and Butterfly effect product design program

Awards

I won the Cannes Young Lions Slovakia competition and represented Slovakia in the World Finals in Cannes, France. The Young Lions is a prestigious worldwide competition for creatives under 30 years old.