About me
Before becoming a UX designer, I was a teacher and then a student. Through these two lenses, I’ve forged my own design identity. With any project, my approach is always to start by clarifying the user objectives and building personal empathy with their needs. The human side of design is what draws me in the most—the chance to converse, collaborate, and iteratively approach solutions to real problems.
I first grew interested in UX design while working as an English teacher in Japan. My students were my de-facto user testers and were quick and candid with their feedback. In editing and refining instructional materials, I found a working and creative style that mirrored the user-centered design process. When the lessons found harmony between students’ interests and desired learning outcomes, the classroom hummed with excitement and progress. If a lesson fell short, it would be evaluated to be re-worked, or put on the shelf.
News clipping from the local paper in Unnan City, Japan
After returning from Japan I found the UC Berkeley Extension professional program in UX design and began taking classes in early 2017. Through classes on design thinking, research, and prototyping I honed a concrete design process and found sound practices for generating insights into user behavior. In technical classes, I gained proficiency with tools to implement my designs as testable prototypes. Where I entered the program with a basic, self-taught process, I finished with a refined understanding of how to approach design problems. I also gained invaluable experience collaborating with my classmates and learning from their diverse viewpoints.
Running user tests on paper prototypes as part of a group project
The diversity of backgrounds within the field is one of my favorite aspects of UX. I love gaining new perspective on a design problem through the lens of another person’s experience. I believe designing with empathy extends to team members as well as users and have worked hard to practice effective communication with developers and other project stakeholders.
Since completing my coursework, I’ve worked on multiple startup projects and also contributed regularly as a volunteer with Code for San Francisco and the San Francisco Department of Public Health. I’m currently looking for projects and teams that share my passion for putting the user first. I’m inspired by what user-centered design can accomplish in education, service, and our personal lives. If you want to talk about a project (or about camping, board games or ultimate frisbee) get in touch and let’s meet!