Multidisciplinary learner

With an undergraduate background in cognitive science from Northwestern University, and a master’s degree from the MIT Media Lab, a self-described “antidisciplinary” research lab that defies traditional academic boundaries, I have long valued a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving.

This approach has lent itself well to a career in user experience and product design, with a focus on cross-functional collaboration and teamwork.

I have experience in both joining established UX teams, and building UX practices from the ground up, embedding product design into agile teams that have never worked with a designer before. By earning trust with PMs, developers, and QAs, I ensure that UX is an essential part of the development cycle and I help teams deliver products that are both user-friendly and valuable.

Driven by curiosity and asking the right questions

I have learned to start a new project by asking the right questions when gathering requirements for a product or feature design.

  • Why are we building this and who are we building it for?

  • What business problem does this product or feature address?

  • How does it add value for users?

  • Do we fully understand the problem we are solving before we dive into a solution?

  • How are users currently solving this problem? What gaps exist in the current state?

  • Haw can we validate our proposed solution with end users?

My curiosity helps me identify gaps in products and processes. Through a user-centered design approach, I can close these gaps with thoughtful, effective solutions.

Perhaps it’s no surprise that I’m obsessed with the game show Jeopardy, where the answer lies within the question.

Sharp eye for details

I am a master at noticing details - I'm often one to spot the typo, misalignment, or inconsistency that has eluded everyone else.

I excel at not only thinking through the "happy path" of a design, but ensuring that a user flow also covers the myriad unexpected directions in which a user might go. I believe that a well-designed product is clean and intuitive, anticipates a user’s needs, and enables users to accomplish their tasks with ease. 

What’s next?

With my curiosity-driven approach to gathering requirements, my ability to establish UX processes and build cross-functional relationships, and my knack for detail-oriented thinking, I’m eager to take on my next opportunity. I thrive on product ownership, user interaction, and seeing the direct impact of my design work.

I look forward to applying my product design expertise at a mission-driven company to help build products that ease people's complicated lives.