So What kind of UXer are you?

I know it really depends, but here are a few things you should know.

True Believer in Working Smart from the Start

I'm a strong believer in making sure teams are working as effectively as possible from the get-go. Even if that might be a combination of UX methodologies, such as, borrowing from one methodology and implementing it in another fashion. Working within a team that practices stand-ups, communication blockers and working in design sprints can help designers and developers do their best work.

User Advocate and Data Lover

Knowing the user is by far the biggest part of designing to me. I make sure not to lose track of who the user is from the beginning, middle & end of the project. Just because something looks good doesn't mean that it works. To determine whether a design is working, a team needs data. I, as an individual, like to determine what success looks like as well. It’s not always easy, but making sure to keep an eye on insights, By doing this, the team and I can gather information on whether a project is successful or not.

Kinda Creative, Kinda Nerdy

With my background with working with computers and commercial photography, I pride myself on being to effectively communicate across a wide range of people. This is useful when talking to developers, so I can better explain my wireframe. In the case of stakeholders, I can effectually explain why the users matter.

I have found throughout my life, little creativity and effective collaboration can go a long way.

Portfolio

3M: A Deep Dive Into Scotchcast

Project Summary:

Our design team developed a multi-touch point system that integrates Scotchcast to align patients, providers and insurers around high quality medical service by quantifying hard to measure patient well being, and keeping the patient connected during the home healing process.

My Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interview
Deep Dive Research
Design Strategy
User Experience Journey Map
Updated Digital User Journey Experience Map

Low-Fidelity Wireframes- Using Notepad and Paper
High-Fidelity Wireframes-Using Sketch-Photoshop-Illustrator

Evaluation

Giftbomb: Feature Integration

Project Summary:

Giftbomb is a digital gift card service to spread joy and love by celebrating the daily moments in life while supporting and enriching local businesses and their respective communities. They are based in Minnesota and are expanding quickly.

My Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interview

Competitive Audit

Journey Map

Feature Cards

Kano Analysis

Ideating After Developer Consult

Findings and Recommendation Report

GILDA’S CLUB: A Contextual Inquiry

Project Summary:

Gilda’s club is a Cancer organization located in the Twin Cities. They needed help implementing functionality with their volunteer portal (a web application) designed to simplify and streamline the process for volunteers to sign up for volunteer opportunities at Gilda’s Club. Helping bring to life the web application that staff also envisioned the custom-built tool as a centralized location to manage volunteers and volunteer opportunities

This including the ability to segment volunteers based on skills, assign to specific tasks or do outreach based on specific tasks) while allowing for volunteers to also manage their involvement with the many opportunities at Gilda’s Club.

My Responsibilities:

Deep Dive Research

Journey Map

Wireframing

Presentation

Leonardos Basement: A redesign

Project Summary:

Leonardo’s Basement staff would like to better understand how their website is being accessed and used by current visitors in order to make critical site updates and support the launch of effective digital advertising campaigns. Specifically, they are concerned with getting visitors to the most necessary information quickly and easily. When visitors register (using the required 3rd party vendor system), it should be a clear and seamless process, allowing users to return to the site if/when necessary. Finally, Leonardo’s Basement staff are also looking for insights into the content strategy of their site, hoping to ensure that the language, structure, and overall look/feel is reflective of their organization’s values and appropriately engages site visitors.

My Responsibilities:

• Deep Dive Research

• Personas

• Journey Map

• Wireframing

• Presentation

• Evaluation Strategy

Sometimes I am considered a User Experience Designer, sometimes a User Interaction Designer, sometimes a problem solver. At the end of the day, I am dedicated and love solving human centric problems (especially human computer/technology interactions). The way I contribute to projects is by conducting research, facilitating user-tests and designing solutions. Through my career, I've worked across different spectrums problem solving and creative work. Some at fortune 500 corporations hired as a digital asset management specialist. Some at smaller Ad Agencies working as an image consultant designer. One thing I’ve learned is the most powerful thing you can do is work with people. Whether that means within a team, one on one with a client, or finding out what your users are looking for.

I currently live in Minneapolis with my fiancée and our cat (George Michael) , but love exploring and living other area’s of the world. When not at work I love to:

• Be in the world both urban and in the woods hiking

• Make art work (primarily by taking photography and editing photos)

• Volunteer working with animals to place them within forever homes.

Located in:

Greater Minneapolis-St.Paul Area