My Journey into UX
My Journey into UX
My Journey into UX
A Story of Perseverance and Growth
A Story of Perseverance and Growth
My winding journey
My winding journey
For over two decades, my career has been dedicated to understanding and improving the human experience. This journey, beginning in health and wellness and led me to UX design, has been shaped by a deep commitment to empathy, communication, and user-centered thinking.
For over two decades, my career has been dedicated to understanding and improving the human experience. This journey, beginning in health and wellness and led me to UX design, has been shaped by a deep commitment to empathy, communication, and user-centered thinking.
For over two decades, my career has been dedicated to understanding and improving the human experience. This journey, beginning in health and wellness and led me to UX design, has been shaped by a deep commitment to empathy, communication, and user-centered thinking.
For over two decades, my career has been dedicated to understanding and improving the human experience. This journey, beginning in health and wellness and led me to UX design, has been shaped by a deep commitment to empathy, communication, and user-centered thinking.
For over two decades, my career has been dedicated to understanding and improving the human experience. This journey, beginning in health and wellness and led me to UX design, has been shaped by a deep commitment to empathy, communication, and user-centered thinking.
For over two decades, my career has been dedicated to understanding and improving the human experience. This journey, beginning in health and wellness and led me to UX design, has been shaped by a deep commitment to empathy, communication, and user-centered thinking.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): The Foundation of Empathy
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): The Foundation of Empathy
My professional path began as a Certified Nursing Assistant, where I spent eight years working with the geriatric population in long-term care facilities and hospice care. This role taught me the fundamental importance of empathy and clear communication. As a supervisor for the CNA team at Suncrest Hospice in Denver, CO, I honed my skills in team management, scheduling, and resource allocation - all while maintaining a focus on patient care.
My professional path began as a Certified Nursing Assistant, where I spent eight years working with the geriatric population in long-term care facilities and hospice care. This role taught me the fundamental importance of empathy and clear communication. As a supervisor for the CNA team at Suncrest Hospice in Denver, CO, I honed my skills in team management, scheduling, and resource allocation - all while maintaining a focus on patient care.
Key learnings:
Key learnings:
- Deep empathy for users with diverse needs
- Importance of clear communication in high-stakes situations
- Team management and resource allocation
- Deep empathy for users with diverse needs
- Importance of clear communication in high-stakes situations
- Team management and resource allocation
As a CNA, the first and foremost skill one must learn is empathy, this is what defines the quality of a caregiver and a designer.
As a CNA, the first and foremost skill one must learn is empathy, this is what defines the quality of a caregiver and a designer.
Massage Therapist: Refining the User Experience
Massage Therapist: Refining the User Experience
Massage Therapist: Refining the User Experience
Transitioning to massage therapy for the next 12 years, I found myself continuously refining the customer experience. Whether working with the Multiple Sclerosis foundation, at the renowned Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves in Glenwood Springs, CO, or at Colorado State University, I developed a user-centered process for each session.
Transitioning to massage therapy for the next 12 years, I found myself continuously refining the customer experience. Whether working with the Multiple Sclerosis foundation, at the renowned Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves in Glenwood Springs, CO, or at Colorado State University, I developed a user-centered process for each session.
My approach involves:
My approach involves:
1. Initial interview to understand client needs and goals
2. Mapping out a plan of action
3. Continuous feedback during the session
4. Post-session follow-up and recommendations
This process, although I didn't realize it at the time, closely mirrored the UX design cycle of research, planning, implementation, and iteration.
This process, although I didn't realize it at the time, closely mirrored the UX design cycle of research, planning, implementation, and iteration.
Key learnings:
Key learnings:
- Importance of user feedback in real-time
- Adapting services based on individual needs
- Creating a holistic experience from start to finish
- Importance of user feedback in real-time
- Adapting services based on individual needs
- Creating a holistic experience from start to finish
The experience is why people get massages. Whether its relaxation, pain management, or improved wellness. Design holds the same foundations.
The experience is why people get massages. Whether its relaxation, pain management, or improved wellness. Design holds the same foundations.
Psychology Graduate: The Science of Human Behavior
Psychology Graduate: The Science of Human Behavior
Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology marked a significant shift in my career trajectory. It was during this time that I began to see the connections between my practical experience in health and wellness and the scientific understanding of human behavior.
Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology marked a significant shift in my career trajectory. It was during this time that I began to see the connections between my practical experience in health and wellness and the scientific understanding of human behavior.
My participation in two research projects during my senior year was particularly influential:
My participation in two research projects during my senior year was particularly influential:
1. A study on mystical experiences and personality traits, where I worked with a team to analyze over 100 data points, honing my skills in data analysis and interpretation.
2. A systematic literature review in executive recruitment, where I reviewed over 75 articles to create detailed task flows - an exercise that closely aligns with UX methodologies.
1. A study on mystical experiences and personality traits, where I worked with a team to analyze over 100 data points, honing my skills in data analysis and interpretation.
2. A systematic literature review in executive recruitment, where I reviewed over 75 articles to create detailed task flows - an exercise that closely aligns with UX methodologies.
Key learnings:
Key learnings:
- Scientific approach to understanding human behavior
- Data analysis and interpretation skills
- Experience in creating task flows and process maps
- Scientific approach to understanding human behavior
- Data analysis and interpretation skills
- Experience in creating task flows and process maps
Good design is about good products and good products are about good relationships. The key to good relationships is human psychology.
Good design is about good products and good products are about good relationships. The key to good relationships is human psychology.
Behavior Specialist: Bridging Theory and Practice
Behavior Specialist: Bridging Theory and Practice
Following my graduation, I spent a year as a Behavior Specialist, applying my psychological knowledge in practical settings. This role allowed me to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and real-world application of behavioral principles.
Following my graduation, I spent a year as a Behavior Specialist, applying my psychological knowledge in practical settings. This role allowed me to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and real-world application of behavioral principles.
Key learnings:
Key learnings:
- Practical application of psychological theories
- Developing intervention strategies based on individual needs
- Importance of measurable outcomes in behavior modification
- Practical application of psychological theories
- Developing intervention strategies based on individual needs
- Importance of measurable outcomes in behavior modification
Applied practice is a lot different than theoretical learning, especially in the case of therapy vs college. The same is true for design and its intricacies.
Applied practice is a lot different than theoretical learning, especially in the case of therapy vs college. The same is true for design and its intricacies.
The Transition to UX Design: Synthesizing Two Decades of Experience
The Transition to UX Design: Synthesizing Two Decades of Experience
The Transition to UX Design: Synthesizing Two Decades of Experience
As I reflected on my career journey, I realized that UX design offered a perfect synthesis of my varied experiences. The empathy I developed as a CNA, the user-centered approach I honed as a massage therapist, the scientific rigor I gained through my psychology degree, and the practical application I experienced as a behavior specialist - all these elements converged in the field of UX design.
As I reflected on my career journey, I realized that UX design offered a perfect synthesis of my varied experiences. The empathy I developed as a CNA, the user-centered approach I honed as a massage therapist, the scientific rigor I gained through my psychology degree, and the practical application I experienced as a behavior specialist - all these elements converged in the field of UX design.
As I reflected on my career journey, I realized that UX design offered a perfect synthesis of my varied experiences. The empathy I developed as a CNA, the user-centered approach I honed as a massage therapist, the scientific rigor I gained through my psychology degree, and the practical application I experienced as a behavior specialist - all these elements converged in the field of UX design.
As I reflected on my career journey, I realized that UX design offered a perfect synthesis of my varied experiences. The empathy I developed as a CNA, the user-centered approach I honed as a massage therapist, the scientific rigor I gained through my psychology degree, and the practical application I experienced as a behavior specialist - all these elements converged in the field of UX design.
As I reflected on my career journey, I realized that UX design offered a perfect synthesis of my varied experiences. The empathy I developed as a CNA, the user-centered approach I honed as a massage therapist, the scientific rigor I gained through my psychology degree, and the practical application I experienced as a behavior specialist - all these elements converged in the field of UX design.
As I reflected on my career journey, I realized that UX design offered a perfect synthesis of my varied experiences. The empathy I developed as a CNA, the user-centered approach I honed as a massage therapist, the scientific rigor I gained through my psychology degree, and the practical application I experienced as a behavior specialist - all these elements converged in the field of UX design.
My background provides me with a unique perspective in UX:
My background provides me with a unique perspective in UX:
- A deep understanding of human behavior and needs
- Experience in creating personalized, user-centered experiences
- Skills in data analysis and research methodologies
- Ability to translate complex processes into clear, actionable steps
- A deep understanding of human behavior and needs
- Experience in creating personalized, user-centered experiences
- Skills in data analysis and research methodologies
- Ability to translate complex processes into clear, actionable steps
As I continue to grow in my UX career, I bring with me over 20 years of experience in understanding and improving the human experience. Whether it's conducting user research, creating intuitive interfaces, or advocating for accessibility, my background in health, wellness, and psychology informs every aspect of my work.
My journey into UX design may have been unconventional, but it has equipped me with a holistic understanding of user needs and behaviors. I'm excited to apply this unique blend of skills and experiences to create digital experiences that are not just functional, but truly enhance the lives of users.
As I continue to grow in my UX career, I bring with me over 20 years of experience in understanding and improving the human experience. Whether it's conducting user research, creating intuitive interfaces, or advocating for accessibility, my background in health, wellness, and psychology informs every aspect of my work.
My journey into UX design may have been unconventional, but it has equipped me with a holistic understanding of user needs and behaviors. I'm excited to apply this unique blend of skills and experiences to create digital experiences that are not just functional, but truly enhance the lives of users.
Design is a culmination of many different fields and skillsets; my career has created unique opportunities for me to learn much about things coursework often leaves out.
Design is a culmination of many different fields and skillsets; my career has created unique opportunities for me to learn much about things coursework often leaves out.
Currents
Polaris
Invent Animate
Competitive Analysis
I researched the three biggest influences/most popular bands of the genre to craft a more familiar experience.
Currents
Polaris
Invent Animate
Competitive Analysis
I researched the three biggest influences/most popular bands of the genre to craft a more familiar experience.
Currents
Polaris
Invent
Animate
Competitive Analysis
I researched the three biggest influences/most popular bands of the genre to craft a more familiar experience.
Currents
Polaris
Invent Animate
Competitive Analysis
I researched the three biggest influences/most popular bands of the genre to craft a more familiar experience.
Currents
Polaris
Invent Animate
Competitive Analysis
I researched the three biggest influences/most popular bands of the genre to craft a more familiar experience.
Would you like to work together or just say hi? Send me an email :)
Would you like to work together or just say hi? Send me an email :)
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Let's create together:
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Let's create together:
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Let's create together:
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Let's create together:
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Let's create together:
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Let's create together: