Bogdan Negrescu
What do you do at OPSWAT?
In my capacity as the Lead Product Designer, I ensure that our product designs prioritize user needs, are user-friendly, and deliver a positive consumer experience. Additionally, I offer design direction to the rest of the design team.
When did you join OPSWAT?
October 2016
If you could describe OPSWAT in one word, what would it be and why?
I would choose "Family." Throughout our shared experiences, OPSWAT has consistently made me feel valued, acknowledged, helped in times of need, and ensured a sense of security. Working at OPSWAT has transcended the notion of just being a job for me.
Your Time at OPSWAT
What do you do to protect critical infrastructure?
In the ever-changing landscape of technology, there is an increasing need to develop well-informed and efficient user experiences and user interfaces within the realm of cybersecurity. Companies committed to safeguarding people, networks, and data must prioritize creating solutions that are not only functional but also optimize security, ensure reliability, and offer user-friendly experiences.
To enhance protection, our goal is to develop products capable of monitoring, detecting, and managing attacks in accordance with industry best practices, heuristics, and principles of user experience design.
How has the company changed since you first started?
In 2016, upon joining the OPSWAT design team, there were only two of us—another designer and myself—responsible for working on all the products available at that time. Despite lacking a Design Workflow or even a Design System, we endeavored to maintain consistency across the products and improve the usability of existing and new features. Fast forward to today, we have evolved into a fully mature product design team with 10+ members located globally.
Our team is in a constant state of growth and improvement, with each product designer dedicated to enhancing specific products, aiming to develop them into innovative cybersecurity solutions.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
Navigating constructive criticism. I believed every design solution I crafted was flawless. Accepting criticism, especially for something invested with time and energy, can be challenging. Naturally, we all aspire to excel. However, criticism is as crucial as praise, if not more. Valuable, constructive feedback serves as a catalyst for improvement, steering you towards heights you might not have reached otherwise.
What do you enjoy most about the OPSWAT culture?
Our company culture thrives on the richness of varied perspectives, fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is valued. Multiculturality is not just a part of our identity but the driving force behind innovation, as we celebrate the unique strengths everyone brings to the collective tapestry of our team. Together, we weave a dynamic workplace that reflects the global mosaic of talents, breaking barriers and cultivating a culture where differences are not only embraced but celebrated. In diversity, we find strength, creativity, and the key to unlocking the full potential of our unified, multicultural workforce.
The You Outside of Work
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I am a devoted fan of Depeche Mode. During my party days, friends affectionately dubbed me "Depechistu," a Romanized term for a Depeche fan. As a convenient shorthand, it evolved into just "Depe," and this nickname has been a part of my identity for over two decades. It has become so ingrained that I even use it when introducing myself in casual encounters with new acquaintances.
What are your favorite activities outside of work?
Immersed in the world of sonic bliss, I find solace in my role as an audiophile, carefully curating a vinyl collection that breathes life into my love for music. From the soulful hum of vintage records to the electric atmosphere of live concerts and parties, my passion for sound knows no bounds.
Beyond the realm of music, my heart is buoyed by the rhythmic strokes of swimming, where the water becomes a canvas for my personal symphony. It is a pursuit that not only invigorates my body but also provides a meditative escape from daily life.
In the quiet moments, I become a co-creator, assembling Lego masterpieces with my daughter. Each colorful block becomes a vessel for imagination, bonding us in shared creativity and laughter.
Yet the digital realm beckons too. With a PS5 controller in hand, I traverse virtual landscapes in Destiny 2 and Assassin’s Creed, finding exhilaration in the pixelated challenges that unfold on the screen. Gaming becomes a parallel universe where stories unfold, and friendships are forged in the crucible of virtual battles.
Tell us a bit about your family.
Joyfully wedded to my lovely spouse, Ana, and the proud parent of an adorable little girl named Ema.
