I am a designer at heart.
I create engaging digital content and user-friendly learning resources.
I have a Bachelor’s in English, a Master’s in Education, and a certification in UX Design. I’m passionate about using technology to empower people and drive social change.
My Origin Story
When I was a kid, I wrote all the time. I have fond memories of visiting my dad’s office with my sisters. With a dusty typewriter and paper rescued from the recycling bin, I clicked out silly stories that had us in stitches. My early obsession with writing foreshadowed my current interest in design — I’ve always been drawn to activities that allow me to build worlds and reimagine reality.
Rooted in my love of literacy, I started my career as a high school ELA teacher. Teaching is about four jobs rolled into one, and I excelled most at the job of designing learning experiences. I was good at this because I used an iterative design process (though I didn’t have the term for it at the time!). Ultimately, I pursued my passion for content design at an organization where I developed curricula and professional development materials.
My curiosity about the connection between behavior and design eventually led me to study UX Design. As I applied my new skills to product design projects, I leaned on my background in curriculum development. One skill (of many!) that spans both disciplines is synthesis. In the educational space, I used student data, observation feedback, learning theory, school-wide initiatives, and learning standards to inform design choices. In product design, I use research results, technical requirements, business needs, and design principles to inform choices.
Now, I define myself as a multi-hyphenate, combining skills in User Experience (UX) Design with a background in education and writing. While I take on various roles and projects, in a nutshell, I design digital products and learning experiences.
Recent Projects
UX & UI Design for Nonprofit Circle.
I’m refining user flows, ensuring consistent use of the design system, and polishing the design file for our engineers. The product is an online marketplace that allows non-profits to post what they need (such as specific resources or volunteer opportunities). Check out the case study for more details.
Learning content for Codecademy.
I’ve made learning content and design deliverables for many self-guided courses, including: 1. Introduction to UI & UX , 2. Design Thinking: Define and Ideate, 3. Learn Interaction Design, and 4. Learn Visual Design. Alongside a cross-functional team, I design and create lessons, articles, activities, projects, assessments, videos, reference guides, and interactive applets to make the learning dynamic and supportive.
I worked on Codecademy’s first-ever UX and UI course, and 100,000+ learners have completed it so far! It was a fun challenge to isolate essential Figma skills that designers need when they’re learning how to create prototypes.
What goes into my design process?
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I believe that good communication is the lifeblood of a good relationship.
When I’m building relationships, I focus on communication that fosters trust and rapport. My approach is to listen, avoid assumptions, and embrace empathy. This sets me up to understand and to be understood.
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Because I exercise my creative muscle frequently, I never run out of ideas.
Over the years, I have honed a creative process that emphasizes asking questions and exploring “what ifs.” Often, thinking through a seemingly outrageous solution helps me see the problem in a new light, or to reconsider the problem itself. If I’m facing designer’s block, I take a break, or I connect with a team member to hear another perspective.
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While I love to have a plan in place, I’m ready to adapt as the project unfolds and priorities shift.
Structure and thoughtful processes have always helped my design projects run smoothly. With the vision in place, I’m ready to outline a strategy and make changes to ensure the product aligns with goals and constraints.
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I’m intrigued by what I don’t know. I continuously fill in gaps in my knowledge while deepening my areas of expertise.
To feed my curiosity and acquire new skills, I listen to podcasts (I’m working my way through every episode of “What is Wrong With UX?”), read books and articles and blog posts, attend webinars, and talk to designers and other tech professionals.
Bonus Facts
📝 I judge short story competitions. Through an organization called NYC Midnight, I evaluate entries by providing narrative feedback and a score. Over the years, I’ve judged 1,000+ stories!
🪴 I have a houseplant that's taller than me. It’s an avocado tree (6 years old, nearly 7 feet tall), grown from a pit that was retrieved from a store-bought avocado (learn how to grow your own avocado tree!).
🎧 I listen to a podcast every day. Listening to podcasts is my favorite way to learn something new and absorb stories. Name a genre or interest, and I can recommend a podcast you’re likely to enjoy!
