Shopify, Wordpress… Webflow! – Meet Alessa Gerster
Welcome to our ongoing series where we spotlight the incredible members of the Magic Design team.
Today, we're thrilled to introduce Alessa Gerster, our Webflow Project Manager, who has worked with the most popular web building platforms like Wordpress and Shopify before setting her eyes on Webflow and later joining our team.
We asked her about her story & experience working at Magic Design and here’s what she said:
But first, here's a little visual introduction Alessa prepared for you:
Q1: Can you share a bit about your journey before joining Magic Design?
My career path has been quite varied. I had my first encounter with web design/development at the age of 14 when my older brother, somewhat by chance, discovered a program for building websites. I initially created a website about myself and found it so exciting that I started building websites about other topics, really enjoying the process for a while. However, during my school years, I somehow lost sight of this passion, as other interests took priority.
My interest in film led me to study media production and it was towards the end of my studies that I rediscovered my love for web design when I saw my soccer club's outdated website. This reminded me of how much I enjoyed building websites, and I decided to take on the project of redesigning and redeveloping it, using it as an opportunity to get back into web development and learn a more professional tool like WordPress.
Realizing how much fun web development was, I decided to delve deeper into it and started an internship in the field. During this time, I discovered a Webflow ad, which introduced me to this amazing platform. Despite my excitement, the agencies I worked with were still focused on WordPress, as Webflow was relatively new.
My work in these agencies led me into the e-commerce sector, where I spent two and a half years working extensively with Shopify, which I also enjoyed. However, Webflow was always on my mind. Even though I loved working with Shopify, I started taking on freelance projects with Webflow on the side. Eventually, I decided I wanted to fully focus on Webflow, which led me to join Magic Design.
Q2: What made you choose Magic Design?
I chose Magic Design because I wanted to join a Webflow-focused agency where I could work with experienced Webflow experts and further develop my skills in this area. I was also attracted by the fact that we have our own experienced in-house design team, which allows us to execute highly creative and well thought-out projects. In addition, the innovative subscription-based business model offered a new perspective on how an agency can operate and really intrigued me. All these factors combined made Magic Design the perfect choice for me.
Q3: How was your experience during the hiring process? Any highlights or something that stood out to you?
The hiring process was smooth and well-structured. I appreciated the multiple rounds of interviews, which demonstrated the company's commitment to finding the right fit both culturally and professionally. Meeting one of the co-founders in the final round was particularly impactful, as it showed their dedication to carefully selecting new team members and gave me deeper insights into the company's vision and goals.
Q4: What's a typical day like for you now? What tasks do you find most fun and challenging?
My typical day ideally starts with a sport session at the gym, which gives me a burst of energy and a head start on the day. Though, let’s be honest, that doesn’t always happen. After my workout (when I manage to get it in), I dive into my emails and get an overview of all pending tasks. I then prioritize and prepare a plan for our developers, outlining the tasks for the day and deciding what needs immediate attention.
Every morning at 9:30 am, we have a meeting with the Webflow team where we discuss project updates, align on priorities, and tackle any challenges together. Throughout the day, I serve as the main link between clients and developers, handling quality assurance, addressing questions, and ensuring smooth project delivery. I also enjoy jumping into Webflow for hands-on tasks when needed.
The most rewarding part of my role is finding solutions to challenging deadlines and ensuring we deliver everything to the highest standard while keeping our clients happy.
Q5: How has your role at Magic Design help you grow professionally and personally?
In my role at Magic Design, I have significantly expanded my Webflow skills through daily hands-on experience and by working on various client projects and requirements. The daily deadlines have sharpened my time management and task prioritization abilities, ensuring that projects are completed efficiently and on schedule. Additionally, coordinating tasks across different time zones has enhanced my ability to manage responsibilities and ensure a smooth workflow within the team.
Q6: Which of our core values (Create “WOW”, Pixel Perfect, Own it, Trust & Reliability, Figure it out, Always Communicate) speaks to you the most, and how do you bring it into your work?
"Own it" resonates with me the most. I thrive on taking full responsibility for my projects, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and client satisfaction. I enjoy working independently, contributing to a culture of accountability and excellence, which I believe is crucial for delivering outstanding results.
Additionally, “Always Communicate” is extremely important to me. I believe that effective communication is key to a successful work environment. This means being transparent not only with colleagues but also with clients, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Good communication is essential for fostering strong collaboration and achieving great results.
Q7: What advice would you give to someone thinking about joining Magic Design?
If you’re considering joining Magic Design, expect to be part of a supportive and collaborative team where everyone’s work is genuinely valued. While adapting to daily deadlines might be different from other work settings, the flexibility in managing your tasks and the freedom to work from anywhere are significant benefits. It’s a great place where your passion and creativity can truly thrive.
Q8: When you’re not working, what hobby or passion helps you unwind?
Outside of work, I still have a passion for photography and videography, which you can probably guess from my career path. Capturing moments through the lens brings me joy and fuels my creativity. I also love spending time with family and friends - it’s the perfect way to unwind and provides a nice break from work. Other than that, I enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures, which helps me broaden my horizons and grow personally.
Q9: And now… last question! if your morning coffee gave you a superpower for the day, what would it be?
If my morning coffee gave me a superpower, I’d love to instantly understand and speak any language. It would be so cool to communicate with colleagues or clients in their native language, making interactions smoother and fostering even stronger relationships and collaborations. Or, being able to complete all my tasks at double speed would be amazing, too :D
About Magic Design
Magic Design is a graphic design and Webflow subscription service for growing startups and scaleups, founded in 2023 by Maximilian Fleitmann and Sina Sadegh.
Since then, we have supported over 70 brands with stunning design and Webflow projects. Our flexible and transparent model allows marketers and founders to quickly and easily get their design and Webflow tasks done in under 48 hours. Of course, this wouldn't be possible without our amazing team of senior art directors, designers, and Webflow developers.
If you want to learn more about our team, feel free to check out the rest of the Employee Stories.
Interested in joining our remote-first and innovative team? Browse our open positions!
