My Role

Head of Product Design

Tools and Methodologies

Figma - Ethnographic Research - Persona Development - Semi Structured Interviews - Mental Model Mapping- Stakeholder Workshops

Problem

Customer archetypes are pivotal for companies as they distill complex user behaviors into relatable profiles, aiding in targeted solution design. For HackerOne, these archetypes address a critical problem: the misalignment between cybersecurity solutions and user workflows. By understanding the unique pain points and needs of each archetype, we can tailor our design to bridge this gap, ensuring that our security tools are not only effective but also seamlessly integrate into the diverse work processes of our clients.

Mastering the Code of Cyber Vigilance

For "The Diligent Decoder" archetype, HackerOne's design team aimed to represent security analysts overwhelmed by high volumes of reports. The persona spotlights their need for structured, prioritized reports to efficiently address critical vulnerabilities. The challenge was to convey the urgency of their role while designing tools to streamline their workflow, reducing noise and frustration with poor report quality.

Embracing Change, Enhancing Security

The "Traditionalist in Transition" archetype developed by HackerOne's design team represents executives evolving from a technical focus to strategic business roles. The design challenge was addressing their need to reduce costs and complexity while adapting to modern security processes. The team accomplished this by detailing the archetype's goals, pain points, and needs, ensuring product design supports their cost-effective, compliance-oriented transformation.

Navigating Security Oversight

The "Cautious Guardian" persona was developed to guide product design for risk-averse security execs at HackerOne. The design team focused on marrying compliance with user-friendly design, despite challenges like limited technical depth among these execs. Success hinged on balancing detailed, regulatory-driven needs with a streamlined user experience.

The Security Diplomat

The "Ambassador" archetype, crafted by HackerOne, depicts a security leader tasked with harmonizing product development and security. The design team faced the challenge of capturing their role in enhancing cross-functional workflows and communication. The outcome was a persona that emphasizes the need for effective reporting tools and streamlined processes to improve security operations without impeding product progress

Innovating for Secure Profitability

The "Value Champion" persona by HackerOne's design team targets execs balancing revenue growth and cybersecurity. The design challenge was to reflect their innovation-driven, risk-aware mindset, addressing needs like benchmarking against industry peers and managing supply chain risks. The team’s solution emphasized user-friendly analytics and strategic insights, supporting these execs’ progressive vision and decision-making

Results & Impact

Tailored Solutions

Designing around each archetype’s specific challenges enabled features that truly fit users’ workflows, reducing friction and bolstering security outcomes.

Increased Efficiency

By mapping out pain points and priorities, HackerOne streamlined reporting, tracking, and compliance—helping users address vulnerabilities faster.

Cross-Functional Alignment

Clear archetypes became a shared reference point for product, design, and engineering, speeding up decision-making and fostering collaboration.

Higher Adoption & Satisfaction

Targeted improvements in user experience drove stronger engagement from analysts and execs alike, reinforcing trust in HackerOne’s platform.