01 The Beginning
Since I was a kid, I’ve had a pencil in my hand using my observations to help me understand how the world fits together. In high school, I dreamed of becoming an animator and signed up for classes, spending all of my breaks learning Photoshop, HTML, and C++. A month before graduating, I was invited to an architectural critique of a series of projects proposing disaster relief housing built from shipping containers. For the first time, I realized the impact design could have on people, and ended up changing my major from Computer Science to Architecture after my first year of college.
You can still find me sketching characters in my free time.
02 Power of Design
While studying architecture, I learned how to define problems, research, create solutions, and avoid gluing my fingers together. Beyond that, I discovered keeping people at the center of the design process inspires innovative and valuable solutions. Each project provided an opportunity to learn new tools and technologies for improving my designs. After graduating, I got a job as an architectural designer. I was driven to use architecture to make the world better through intentional and responsible design decisions.
Takeaways from College
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The value of always keeping the user in mind
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The benefit of critical feedback from users and peers to inform the steps necessary to improve the next iteration of a design.
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Never stop learning
03 Changing Direction
After moving, I took a break from work to design a few human beings. In my spare time, I volunteered for visual design projects with local nonprofits and businesses. While working with people, I would often get asked for help using outside apps or websites. I began to see a pattern of people struggling to use technology with the potential to significantly improve their quality of life. I realized it was time for me to change my path and this time with a focus on designing experiences for people. After interviewing friends I knew working in similar fields, I discovered UX Design. With more research, I selected a Bloc apprenticeship to help me build my knowledge base and better understand the balance of the professional working environment.
Takeaways from Volunteering
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Keep an experience simple and delightful
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Listen closely because people reveal pain points of a process that might not be noticed during the design.
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Interview and test ideas
04 Arrival
UX design is the perfect confluence between my ability to observe and empathize with people's needs and my drive to create simple working solutions. I see design as an opportunity to take a world fascinated by aesthetics and ensure it doesn't overlook the people it seeks to serve.
If you would like to talk design, work together, or have a question send me a message.
Other Things I Love
Drinking tea
Hiking
Trying to fold origami
These people