A shift in my career path

Before transitioning to a career in design, I spent over five years managing Design and Engineering projects at tech companies such as Keas (acquired by Welltok) and Twitter (I can't bring myself to call it 'X'). My time at Keas gave me valuable insights into software development and the crucial role of user experience in product planning and development. At Twitter, I worked closely with global Product, Design, and Engineering teams to assess the impact of new product features on the user base. One of the most exciting projects I led was redesigning the user reporting flow for the Twitter Beta program, which engaged over 20,000 testers and led to over 200 issues reported. These experiences fueled my passion for design and inspired me to pivot my career.

My design student journey

Inspired to pursue design as a field of study, I found the Human-Centered Design & Engineering program at the University of Washington. I applied and was accepted into the graduate program in 2017. Through this program, I discovered my passion for designing to create positive change in human experiences. I dedicated my studies to researching and designing a mindfulness-based intervention in a virtual reality (VR) environment to address teen stress. I proudly co-authored a study on the project, which was presented at and published for the Interaction Design and Children (IDC) Conference in 2019.

From student to practitioner

Stepping into my first full-time design position as the City of Seattle’s Civic Design Lead, I spearheaded research, design, prototyping, and testing of City products and services. A highlight of my tenure was creating a mobile application co-designed with University of Washington students to help them navigate the COVID pandemic and my direct collaboration with Seattle Uber and Lyft drivers, shaping components of Seattle’s Fare Share legislation related to pay standards and worker protections.

Now, as a Design Lead at Artefact, I help my clients ship intuitive digital user experiences, deliver insightful design research, and develop product strategies that align with their business goals. I’ve had the opportunity to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence in shaping health outcomes, understand the impact of web3 and metaverse technologies on young adult creators, and develop a more convenient and streamlined way to access resources for improving student outcomes.