Jules Maren
Designer · Writer · Builder
- ✦ Based in Lisbon
- ✦ Ex-Figma, Notion
- ✦ Open to advising
BIOGRAPHY
I design systems people actually keep.
Fifteen years across product design, editorial, and early-stage startups. Currently independent.
A short history
Started in print magazines, moved into product at two Series B companies, then led design systems at Figma and Notion. Now I advise founders and publish notes on craft, pace, and shipping less.
Achievements
Milestones that still matter to me.
2024
ADC Gold · Systems
2022
Notion DS · Lead
2019
Figma Config talk
40k
Newsletter readers
Selected projects
A few things I’m proud to put my name on.
Atlas Design System
Atlas Design System
Tokens, components, and docs that scaled across 12 product surfaces at Notion.
Harbor — advisory kit
A lightweight brand and product audit for seed-stage founders. Used by 30+ startups.
Harbor kit
Field Notes redesign
Editorial site for a magazine — type, pace, and print-to-web continuity.
Config 2019 talk
“Systems that survive reorgs” — still circulated in design ops circles.
Writing
Essays and notes from the newsletter.
Ship the boring version first
Why most “vision” decks delay learning — and how to cut a v1 that still feels intentional.
Pace as a design material
Whitespace isn’t empty — it’s how you control attention across a long scroll.
Links
Where else I show up.
julesmaren
Let’s talk
Advising, talks, and selective product work. Say what you’re building.