More than a decade
of experience
at the intersection
of product, design, and research
Skills and experience built for the next era of product development
I’ve been designing for a decade. During that time, what we now call product design has grown, evolved, and shaped itself into a powerful partner in the tech industry. Before Twitter went public and Product Designer was even a title we used, I was learning as I made my way through early startups, digital product agencies, and big tech companies.
I didn't have access to HCI courses or UX degrees. I learned on the job in a strategy first environment. Strategic thinking and product ideation aren't skillsets I had to learn along the way or adapt as the industry has changed. It has been foundational to my career, encoded into my design DNA. Having always felt like I straddled the lines between product, design, resarch, and marketing, I now accept what my skillsets make me: a Strategic Product Designer.
User centered strategy
Collaboration & Workshops
Systems level mindset
Mentorship & design leadership
High quality fast
Humble confidence
A value instilled by me in my first mentor, the simple way they described it was being sure of yourself without being cocky. Or my take on it, know your shit but be kind about it.
Intent driven design
A content designer I know explained this perfectly. If I'm buying eggs, you're going to have a hard time convincing me I need ice cream. Understanding a user's motivations and intent drives my design thinking.
Have an opinion
My first PM at Meta told me this in our first 1:1. If you're in the room, have an opinion. If you don't have one, figure out what yours is or remove yourself from the conversation.
Do something that matters
I seek out the spaces where I can apply my skills and have a meaningful impact.
Fail forward
When no one teaches you this stuff, you fail. A lot. I taught myself graphic design at the bar I worked at by just trying to recreate stuff and figuring out what didn't work and doing it again. It's not just about failing fast or often, its about the direction you go.
Never stop learning
Part of failing forward is trying new things. It's a cliche because it's true, but the only thing that's constant is change.
Make your own way...
As someone who didn't go to school or start out in the valley, I have had to carve my own career path and figure it out along the way.
....show others the away
I also couldn't have made it here without the support of mentors and people who took chances on me. They helped me make a place for myself in this industry and find something I am really good at and enjoy. I try to open the same doors to those coming after me.
Humble confidence
A value instilled by me in my first mentor, the simple way they described it was being sure of yourself without being cocky. Or my take on it, know your shit but be kind about it.
Intent driven design
A content designer I know explained this perfectly. If I'm buying eggs, you're going to have a hard time convincing me I need ice cream. Understanding a user's motivations and intent drives my design thinking.
Have an opinion
My first PM at Meta told me this in our first 1:1. If you're in the room, have an opinion. If you don't have one, figure out what yours is or remove yourself from the conversation.
Do something that matters
I seek out the spaces where I can apply my skills and have a meaningful impact.
Fail forward
When no one teaches you this stuff, you fail. A lot. I taught myself graphic design at the bar I worked at by just trying to recreate stuff and figuring out what didn't work and doing it again. It's not just about failing fast or often, its about the direction you go.
Never stop learning
Part of failing forward is trying new things. It's a cliche because it's true, but the only thing that's constant is change.
Make your own way...
As someone who didn't go to school or start out in the valley, I have had to carve my own career path and figure it out along the way.
....show others the away
I also couldn't have made it here without the support of mentors and people who took chances on me. They helped me make a place for myself in this industry and find something I am really good at and enjoy. I try to open the same doors to those coming after me.