We've asked some of our amazing issuers about their
role and how the hat goes on the head
André Tischer
Back-end development
What is your current role at Issuu?
My main tasks are research and development of the document reflow. That is to extract all text and image data from an incoming document so we can present it in a new layout and/or context. For example, enable the user to view it on a smart phone, tablet pc, or share a particular article over email, Facebook and other media. I'm also doing r&d work on an automated document classification system, and over the last year I've done backend library work for small mobile platforms, IPhone development, database work, and much more.
How have you grown since you started at Issuu?
At Issuu we get a lot of freedom to manage our own projects. Issuu encourages us to do research and as developers we are always free to suggest new ways of doing things. During the research phase we're given time to try out ideas and are allowed time enough to backtrack if an avenue of approach turned sour. Using languages such as python or javascript allows us to do fast turnaround prototypes and the management knows that development is an iterative process. This way of working constantly expands my knowledge and challenges my professionalism.
What is the coolest part of your job at Issuu?
Hands down, I love the research and development process. I get to work with decision algorithms. Issuu has one of the fastest growing sets of data in the world. Doing data transformation and decision algorithms on this base is really exciting. My first go at reflow took 100 servers 23 days to chew through all data. Back then we only had 1.000.000 documents we are now at 2.500.000 and get 8-10.000 new each 24 hours. Of course we have to turn the projects into production code. That kind of work also has an appeal. It is always nice to see the fruit of one's labour in the hands of the user.
Why would you recommend others to work at Issuu?
A large portion of the work I do is sort of like being back at university... studying. Just without all the writing and you are getting payed to do it. It is fun to play with huge amounts of data that span a huge domain. Finally I like that fact that the algorithms that I produce are used immediately.
My favorite Issuus
Star Wars behind the scene photos. Blood Bowl board game. The Vader Project- loosen up wader.
Julie Toft
Platform Marketing & Partnerships
What is your current role at Issuu?
I am Product Marketing Manager and my main objective is to make the world of publishing take note of Issuu and introduce them to all the powerful tools we provide for them.
How have you grown since you started at Issuu?
I thought there was only one way to do marketing, but communicating with 5 million users around the world all at the same time, requires me to think creatively about how to promote a product.
What is the coolest part of your job at Issuu?
Building the communication strategy that will appeal to everyone from high-end fashion brands to cool backyard skateboard-kids is a major thrill. I am expected to constantly be on top of both what
Why would you recommend others to work at Issuu?
The freedom and trust given to everyone working at Issuu is very encouraging, not just in the definition and execution of our assignments, but also in the flexible working hours. And the opportunities for learning new things are plenty.
My favorite Issuus
Dansk Daily - Copenhagen Fashion Week magazine. Google's Think Quarterly - innovative business thinking at its best. Fan The Fire - Fashion, photography, art and movies.
Ruben Bjerg Hansen
Design department
What is your current role at Issuu?
I'm head of the design department. We're in charge of shaping all visual aspects of the Issuu brand. A strategy that emphasizes the importance of design and understanding the crucial role aesthetics play in creating public appeal.
How have you grown since you started at Issuu?
A somewhat classical design background had left me with a head full of aesthetics and little patience for anything else. Knowing that millions of people depend on what we put in front of their eyes puts things into a brutal yet thrilling perspective. I've learned to create and appreciate the complexity of a streamlined UX and deliver visuals that can be appreciated by all kind of users, including latte-drinking designers :)
What is the coolest part of your job at Issuu?
There's a truly versatile range of visual challenges at Issuu. Classical graphic design disciplines in
combination with prototyping, research, cross-functional collaborations with engineers and marketing, video productions, designing for mobile platforms, web-technologies and much more. There's a lot of it, and we do everything in-house. Creating the "Issuu feel" is a multidisciplinary task, and that is what's so great about it.
Why would you recommend others to work at Issuu?
Design is pivotal at Issuu. It's fundamentally embedded in all aspects of what Issuu do; so if you're a designer and love the dynamics of the web, Issuu is a great place to be.
My favorite Issuus
Foam, International Amsterdam-based photography magazine. Slanted, worldclass typography from Karlsruhe. Soundvenue, danish music culture.