Areas of Expertise
User Experience Strategy, User Research, Interaction Design, Design Evangelism, Business Analysis
Recent Industries
Insurance, Healthcare, Legal, Education, Retail, Hospitality, Telecommunication
Toolbox
User testing, focus groups, ethnographic research, contextual inquiry, surveys, persona development, affinity diagrams, user journeys, storyboards, wireframes, user stories and user experience briefs.
My Philosophy
I believe each project is unique and deserves its own process. Based on business goals, budget, schedule and specific project needs, I customize my approach and the methods used to obtain the most value and the best results. My approach is collaborative and holistic and goes beyond typical UX deliverables. I believe that to be truly successful, it’s important to build a shared UX strategy and vision, and a culture that focuses on empathy and values the impact of engaging users in the design process.
How it all started
I discovered the field of user experience when I was an undergraduate student at the University of Washington and first read Don Norman’s The Design of Everyday Things. It ignited my passion for product design and usability. I went on to receive my BS and MS in Human-Centered Design & Engineering.
Career Summary
My career started at T-Mobile where I was hired as an intern in 2002 then went on to help build a user experience team, responsible for designing mobile and web applications and conducting user research. After many years in telecommunications, I began consulting and working with a variety of clients on consumer and enterprise applications. Over the years, I have led UX strategy and managed UX efforts on large scale projects for Fortune 500 companies as well as startups. My contribution varies from leader, mentor, designer or researcher - or all of the above. I also enjoy teaching and have taught design and usability courses at Bellevue College and the University of Washington.
On a Personal Note
I love details. I enjoy data analysis and finding patterns and insights that create surprise. I like to solve problems - whatever they may be. There is nothing as rewarding as finding a great solution. I like to collaborate with others who have diverse backgrounds, insights and experiences as there is no limit to what a driven group of people can achieve when they work together. At times, I am quiet, because I like to listen, observe and learn. That quality, I believe, makes me good at what I do.
