Design Chit-Chat vol.18 – Pha

What is Design Chit-Chat?

PayPay has grown into a mobile payment service with 60 million users, which translates to one in every two smartphone users in Japan. One thing that is indispensable in the service’s development is the presence of product members with rich personalities from more than 50 countries and regions around the world. A team consisting of members with world-class technical skills has come together, and through the process of individually understanding each other’s differences and commonalities in thinking, one by one, we have transformed into a team capable of groundbreaking perspectives, devising novel approaches, and delivering outputs that were previously unexplored.

In this Design Chit-Chat series, we will present a series of members’ voices to give you a clear picture of the PayPay Design Team and its unique vibe of craftmanship.
This time, we would like to introduce Chanapha Salathong (Pha) from the Design Department of the Product Group.

What is your team and what does it do?

I’ve been part of the O2O Team since I joined the company. I was involved in the Stamp Card project and later had the opportunity to work on the PayPay Gift Voucher project, gaining valuable experience.

What made you decide to become a designer?

I started my career as a designer in the fashion magazine industry, which was my dream. Back then, I had the opportunity to work closely with app companies to produce e-books for iPads. This inspired me to earn a master’s related to graphics and media platforms in the UK, leading to a significant career shift from fashion to the high-tech industry. After earning my degree, I worked for an e-commerce platform in the UK, then returned to Thailand, where I began working in the fintech industry. My journey continued, leading me to Japan, where I am still involved in the fintech industry.

What are some recent projects you are working on?

I was involved in two projects. One was the Stamp Card project, my first project after joining PayPay. It was a unique experience and quite challenging, but with the support of my wonderful team and colleagues, we managed to develop a user-friendly product.

The other one was the PayPay Gift Voucher project. It was a great experience, where I received immense support from my peers, and we tackled quite challenging tasks. I’m eager to see what kind of project I will be assigned next. I truly look forward to constantly trying new things and growing with each challenge.

How do you come up with ideas?

For me, the approach varies depending on the product.
If a product has already been launched, it’s crucial to delve into its history, understand the current user experience, and gather data to support my research. If I have the time, I like to first research and then engage with actual users, as this step is key to accurately understanding what improvements are needed and why.

On the other hand, creating something new feels like embarking on an exciting adventure. I might lack reliable data or background information initially, but that’s the perfect opportunity to explore the market and dig deeper. The goal is to strike the perfect balance between business needs and user demands, which is my guide to creating a design or coming up with solutions.

What is important to you when creating a product at PayPay?

Given PayPay’s fast-paced business environment and frequent time constraints, gathering information extensively is crucial for smooth operations. Another essential element is communication. Getting in touch regularly with other departments is vital since we rarely work alone. This ensures a balanced approach that takes into account both business requirements and user needs.

What sort of challenges do you want to take on at PayPay?

I want to do more user interviews.My approach to a project depends largely on its nature and scope. When the project affords more room for in-depth research, I find great value in conducting user interviews or organizing focus groups to gain insights directly from the users. Interviewing users provides invaluable insights for creating user-friendly designs. Using such information significantly improves design, ultimately contributing to the success of a product. Plus, the process of innovating to enhance people’s lives is one of the most enjoyable things you can do.

Do you have a message for our readers?

PayPay offers a dynamic environment filled with opportunities, allowing for fantastic experiences. On top of that, the Design Team is lively and diverse! People are willing to help, so you can always rely on your teammates whenever you have questions or need assistance.
PayPay has played a significant role in helping Japan go cashless and is still growing. There are exciting times ahead for us!

*Job openings and employee affiliations are current as of the time of the interview.