Meet Chris Bryant | Product Designer & Comedian

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Bryant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in North Carolina. As a closeted queer kid, with undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder- I spent most of my childhood living in fear and not understanding the world around me.

Technology always served as a vice for me growing up. I had no socializing skills, but quickly learned how to make friends on instant messenger and chat rooms. I grew up designing comics on photoshop, which created my life long love for product design and comedy. I learned that by making others laugh, and by using digital tools: I could find my own place in the world.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m currently a lead product designer on multiple digital projects. I am currently under an NDA and can’t announce what I’m working on- but the technology I’m designing is incredibly exciting and is going to change so many people’s lives.

I fell into the tech world after working for years in a non-profit. I originally started working in web-accessibility as a survival job while touring as a stand-up comedian, but then fell in love with the field of UX design. As an Autistic person, technology was so important in my development: and I wanted to share that with others.

I separated myself from other junior designers in the field by really focussing on creating equitable products- that can be used by people of all walks in life. It is my core belief that an accessible interface doesn’t have to come at the cost of a beautiful aesthetic. I’m so happy I get to live a life where I can design remotely during the day, while touring the country and doing stand-up shows at night.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Obviously, I make most people who are visiting come out to the comedy clubs to see me perform!

But besides that- my favorite thing to do is take people to Art Walk in downtown LA. There are incredibly food trucks, amazing local artists, and it’s the best way to experience Los Angeles.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Project Q is an incredibly non-profit in Los Angeles that gives services to trans youth. They are an incredible pillar of the trans community in Los Angeles, and I’m always inspired by their work.

Website: https://christopherbryant.design

Instagram: @tenderchris

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophersmithbryant/

Twitter: @tenderchris

Image Credits
@Shander_Shutter_Photography @JustOffTheSix @MelissaLynnel @StopItJon