Pradeep M. - Senior Art Director

Title: Senior Art Director
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Joined: 2015
Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His

Pradeep finds inspiration at Groupon everywhere he looks, whether it’s in the array of local deals on the site, the supportive and diverse teammates with whom he works, or in the vibrant culture of the Dublin office.

Tell us about your job! What do you do? What do you love about it? What does a typical day look like?

I work as a Senior Art Director for EMEA and the International marketing team. I love the diversity of the job I am doing. It feels great that our designs inspire our customers get them engaged with the Groupon brand. As an Art Director for marketing, I found that EMEA is a challenging and satisfying region for which to work. We have to keep cultural differences in mind and have to research the local aspects of a deal: what are the customers’ daily and seasonal needs, what do they eat, and what do they wear, etc. Then, we visually translate that into the customer-facing marketing designs to gain their confidence in the brand.

Usually, we are very busy meeting deadlines and coordinating with stakeholders. It more than a design job; it is about connecting with people, learning more about the brand every day, telling the Groupon story to our customer, and showing empathy for their needs through meaningful design. Every day is different at Groupon.   

We see you’re a member of Pride@Groupon.  Why did you join?

I like to get connected with and work for the community. I see Pride@Groupon as a resource to promote inclusion and diversity among the existing and future Groupon employees across EMEA. It’s important to showcase that diversity and inclusion helps strengthen our culture and improve mental health among our employees.

What makes Pride@Groupon unique?

Pride@Groupon is a bunch of passionate people from different walks of life and work responsibilities. There is so much we can all learn from each other.

Who are some notable figures you’d like to recognize for Pride Month?

Artist Keith Haring.

What’s your favorite Groupon memory?

Last summer, I worked from the Chennai office for two months. For those two months, most of the people (apart from my team) from the Dublin office were in touch with me every day. It felt like family! Groupon Dublin is an amazing place to work.

What inspires you?

The diversity of deals on Groupon is inspiring! Also, the work culture at the Dublin office is inspiring. I feel inspired by my design colleagues, Marcelo and Cathal; they both are so talented. Also Jeremey, our manager and art director, he is more than just a manager.

Where were you before you joined Groupon? How did you get here?

I got to Groupon as a Visual Design Intern. During the internship, I got an opportunity to work and interact with the global design team. There wasn’t any boundary for experimenting with different ideas and collaborate with other designers. Freedom to think aloud and to ask questions helped me to get a better understanding of the brand and the business. The work environment encouraged my team and me to bring my best to the table. My transition from an intern to a full-time employee was a smooth process. Groupon values the passion and the work culture encourage to think differently that makes the work fun. What else any designer can ask for? That is how I become a full-time employee at Groupon.

What was your first impression of Groupon as an employer?

My first impression was “Wow! Finally, I found a place where I can be myself!” 

How does your work impact Groupon’s mission of building the daily habit in local commerce?

I collaborate with stakeholders to create customer-facing designs that can convey the specific local season, relevant inventory, and build excitement for the brand.

Describe the proudest moment you’ve had at Groupon.

Groupon’s first time participating in the 2017 Dublin Pride parade was my proudest moment. We worked hard to make it happen; the warm support I got from the business side and from my colleagues was priceless.

You probably have a life outside Groupon; what are you up to when you’re not at work? 

I like to run and hike. I am part of the LGBTQ+ running and hiking club in Dublin. I was also the Pride Run Director this year.

Your role probably exists at other companies aside from Groupon…so what makes your role at Groupon unique?

I think what Groupon is doing in the local business scene is unique and this is reflected in our inventory. My role as a designer is unique as it provokes me to think about our customers at every stage of the design process. The process begins and ends with the customer.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

I am also a visual artist and recently my art project got selected for a week-long exhibition in Dublin in early Autumn this year.