My career as a user experience designer is one of my deepest design passions. Let me share how I embarked on this journey and the winding path that led me to where I am today.
Tumultuous Tech Times
My journey towards becoming a seasoned User Experience (UX) Manager has been quite the adventure. It all began back in 2000 when I started as a Web designer and technical illustrator for a publishing company. Eventually, I became the Managing Art Director for two periodicals that we completely redesigned in the same year. This experience was incredibly fulfilling. Later, I transitioned to managing web projects and then joined a natural meat company, where I not only enjoyed great discounts on organic proteins but also developed marketing assets, an ERP training program, and a documentation site.
Open to Unexpected Paths
Following this phase, I spent 3.5 years in rural New Hampshire advocating for local shops to embrace e-commerce as a small business online consultant. While my initial entrepreneurial endeavor didn’t pan out as I hoped, it provided invaluable insights. Returning to Denver, I joined a television service provider, creating captivating email marketing campaigns using assets from major brands like Disney, HBO, NHL, and WWE. Design is my heart, so in 2015, I decided to focus solely on being the best designer I could be.
My Intro to User Experience
During this time, I stumbled upon the intriguing field of UX. I took online courses, read extensively, and recognized the opportunity to design experiences scientifically, reducing the subjectiveness often associated with design. The allure of structured problem-solving and the prospect of higher earnings drew me to UX. This journey led me into diverse areas like enterprise solutions, SaaS startups, and government contracting, shaping me into the UX professional I am today.
Getting Those Opportunities
Beginning my journey in UX, I was like a sponge, absorbing knowledge, learning terms, and diving into methods and processes. I was fortunate to learn from recent graduates of prestigious design schools, conducting workshops together and practicing prototype creation from paper to digital. We even performed contextual inquiries with our in-house sales team who used our software—like boot camp on the job. Each transition to a new opportunity took time—months of resume refinement, portfolio development, and interview practice. It was tough, but those magic moments when everything began to click were unforgettable.
Cut to Now
There’s much more to share, but for now, I use my years of learning to mentor other UX designers as they navigate the complexities of their roles. The UX field offers challenging environments for learning and growth, and I take joy in helping designers evaluate and enhance their portfolios and resumes to land those elusive UX jobs.
Let’s connect! You can find me on linkedIn