This Curalate designer is leaving Philly to work for Facebook

Alexander Mayes left sunny Southern California for Fishtown because of a UX gig at URBN, but it was a job at Curalate that made him stay.
Mayes, 23, joined the visual analytics startup’s new product design team in the spring of 2014, after meeting the startup’s head designer Melissa Morris Ivone over Twitter. She convinced him to join the team.
About a year later, it got to the point where he was only staying in Philadelphia for Curalate. It was a good reason to be in Philly (“I love all the people over at Curalate,” he said), but he also felt like it was time for him to move on. (Mayes’ story made us wonder how many other people feel like him, like they were only in Philly for a startup but also felt a really strong tie to that startup.)
That’s why he’s heading back to the West Coast to join Facebook.
Below, he told us what it’s like to move across the country for a job, his favorite corner of Fishtown and why he loved going out with the Cura-gang.

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What’s next for you? What prompted the move?
Facebook is next for me! I recently got recruited to move over to the Bay Area and work at the Big Blue Giant. Besides the fact that it’s Facebook and it’s a designer’s dream to work there, I’ve always loved my homestate of California and I’ve always wanted to try to live in the Bay Area. It also opens me up to so many other opportunities and learnings for my career down the road.
Anything that could have been done to keep you here?
It’s already hard to leave. I love all the people over at Curalate and that tight-knit group over there really made me sad to leave Philly. It got to a point where I was only in Philly for them, although it was a good reason to be. It was just time for me to move on and get back on track.
What was your proudest accomplishment during your time in Philly?
Probably being a Southern California native and surviving two of the craziest winter’s Philly has had in a while (so I hear).
Favorite tech scene memory from your time in Philly?
Literally every time the Cura-lads and ladies walked into a bar, people in Philly knew us. Those were my favorite memories for sure. Whether it was from Brendan’s, Andy’s, and my strong Instagram game or just because how much Curalate has helped the tech scene in Philly. Without a doubt, we’d get noticed. It was like being mini-celebrities.
What’s your favorite place here?
My favorite place is probably the intersection of East Susquehanna and Norris. It’s home to the original Reanimator Coffee Shop (which is the best coffee in the nation!), Loco Pez, and one of my favorite places for every meal, Cedar Point. It’s also right in the heart of Fishtown. In my opinion, it’s truly what Fishtown is today. Where the old meets the new. You have hipsters running around next to people that have been there since the ’70s. It’s amazing.
Can you share a lesson with us that you’ve learned during your time here/offer some advice for other designers?
I’ve learned to be a better listener, for sure. Not just when it came to design-related things, but in general. When I started at Curalate, it was still really small, so being able to learn and get better at the soft skills had really benefited me to communicate with our team and not hold back. I’m stoked to take those skills with me to my next adventure.
Will you be back?
Of course. I’ve made some really awesome friends here that I just can’t completely abandon. Plus, I’m sure at some point I’ll miss that good ole Philly grit. I don’t think I’ll move back, but I’ll visit for sure.
Anything else?
I just want to add that — if you’re a young professional and are afraid to move somewhere outside of your comfort zone, you should just do it. The risk is scary and intimidating — I know, but me moving across the country to a city where I had no family or friends, really helped me shape my mentality. It gave me clarity on what’s important and it made me break down any walls of reservation that I had. So do yourself a favor and get out there and travel. There’s so many great things that await you.