Background
Originally from North Carolina, I've been living and working in Portland, Oregon since graduating from North Carolina State University's School of Design. Then, I was an aspiring young graphic designer...until I stumbled across the school's wood shop. This was a pivotal point for me—I fell in love with woodworking and perhaps more importantly designing and building in three dimensions. My 20 year old self realized I couldn't spend the rest of my life in front of a computer pushing pixels (oh, the irony...) and decided to add a product design degree to my collection. I set off to explore new materials, processes, and design challenges. Along the way, I discovered Henry Dreyfuss and was heavily influenced by his work understanding the human body and ergonomics.
I continued to work with wood and landed a job building furniture at a production shop. Eventually, I realized that turning a hobby your passionate about into a full time job sometimes takes the joy out of it. I felt like just another machine in the shop, cranking out part after part...day after day.
It was my background in both graphic and product design that piqued the interest of OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) when I applied for an exhibit design position. There, I was able to use both my 2D and 3D skill sets to create fully immersive interactive exhibits. This was also where I became aware of the value of user research—as we regularly spent time on the museum floor observing people interact with the exhibits and testing for desirability, durability, and the delivery of educational content.
Today
Fast forward several years and I’ve collected a wealth of experience working alongside talented designers, researchers, product managers and technologists during my career as a digital product designer. Creating experiences that delight users…and the problem solving along the way…is what drives me today.
I'm still intrigued by observing people interact with and experience the objects in their lives. As I look back, it is easy for me to see now that usability and user research was the "third dimension" that was missing from my early years in graphic design. I still relish any opportunity to work with my hands and build something—though today it usually comes in the form of home remodeling projects or building lego creations with my son.
