Marcus Brandford

About

Hey, I'm Marcus. I run studies and build systems that translate user signals into product strategy.

Currently: user researcher at Figma
Previously: Nike, Berkeley Haas, Known

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some projects
2025

Figma Make

How can Figma Make stand out in a quickly-shifting landscape of prompt-to-prototype AI tools? I built an early market view of the prompt-to-prototype AI landscape by combining global research on awareness, adoption, and competitive perceptions, then translated those findings into positioning and product investment priorities.

Figma Sites

How should Figma Sites grow beyond experienced designers? I led market analysis and concept testing with new audiences to identify gaps and differentiation opportunities versus key competitors, then translated those findings into product strategy and roadmap direction.

2024

Figma brand tracker

What does Figma's target audience think about our brand and how are perceptions shifting? I lead Figma's ongoing brand tracker across priority roles, turning longitudinal data into a company-wide view of brand momentum, audience needs, and strategic investment implications.

Figma Slides

Where should Figma Slides compete in a market shaped by entrenched incumbents and fast-moving challengers? I led product strategy and positioning for launch, drawing on research into audience needs and the competitive landscape to clarify where we could win and where to prioritize resources.

FigJam

How should FigJam evolve after the post-COVID reset in whiteboard software? I led research with enterprise teams and buyers to map the category, purchasing patterns, and whitespace opportunities, then used those insights to shape product focus, sales enablement, and team investment decisions.

2023

Dev Mode

How should we position Figma's first developer product for a new audience? I led concept testing with designers and developers ahead of launch, then translated those findings into sharper positioning, launch planning, and adoption expectations for the team.

2022

Figma.com

How can we evolve our marketing site to better resonate with leads and convert prospects into users? I supported the Figma.com rebuild by running research sessions with target audiences to shape information hierarchy, language, and page flows, improving how the site communicates core value and drives conversion.

2021

Nike.com search

What additional value can we deliver to shoppers through search? I led a cross-functional team across Engineering, Design, and Data Science to roadmap and ship improved results for the most common search intents.

2020

Waze

What should Waze consider as it prepares to launch its carpool service internationally? I drove foundational audience and market understanding by developing global segmentation and a GTM strategy. I conducted interviews across three countries and ran a 12k-person survey to quantify needs and opportunity.

2019

Google Assistant

How can Google grow and differentiate its AI assistant against first-movers Alexa and Siri? I identified the value propositions and use cases that resonated most for Google Assistant relative to competitors, and ran 30+ creative focus groups across the US.

2018

Google Cloud

How can Google Cloud compete against Microsoft Azure and AWS? I created international sales enablement strategy and competitive positioning for Google Cloud. I conducted ~80 customer interviews, then translated findings into a field narrative adopted by Sales teams across North America and EMEA.