The Spiel
I grew up trying to splash my creativity across an engineering household. I might've been an artist or a programmer, but one fateful day... I found out I could be both 😎 Enter UX, the combination of everything I love - psychology, culture, art, technology, and problem-solving.
I'm passionate about the role of design in our lives. It's the beginning of the process, the point where the course is charted for any product, service, or experience. It's the moment when problems must be solved and flawed systems can be reimagined. Design allows us to see humans rather than agendas, to reconsider "no" and "can't," and to access inspiration.
I see myself one day creating multisensory experiences (think immersive exhibits and interactive data)... or at least some off-the-wall apps, but as long as I'm designing what people truly need, I'm thrilled.
My Four Tenets
Practice and encourage introspection and empathy. Seek to understand people's gears so that I can defend and design for people's true needs, enhance life in the direction that they desire, and ultimately learn from each connection.
Ask Why
No arbitrary conventions or dichotomies. Search for practical solutions while constantly trying to unlock doors to new possibilities and approaches.
Ask What if
Translate...
... intangible concepts such as values and philosophies into design elements, symbols, and processes. Help people display who they are in whatever they use.
Appreciate silence and space; make words and visual elements count, and only add them when they add to the experience
Subtract
More About Me (...still??)
Outside of the office, I'm doing a million things - volunteering, baking sourdough, playing the uke or viola, perfecting my playlists, reading a book (or four), building something, climbing a tree or mountain, drawing on the walls, snapping tiny moments of life*, or packing a suitcase for somewhere else. And always, always, pretending to be a barista.
*all photography on the site is mine (minus this picture of me)
We're all different people all through our lives... that's good. You've got to keep moving, just so long as you remember all the people that you used to be.
Matt Smith