I have been working for 7 years as a UX designer and currently exploring my new role as a software engineer for the past 2 years. I specialize in crafting accessible and responsive experiences for the e-commerce and EdTech sector. I have collaborated with agencies, institutions, analysts, developers, executives, CEOs, and business strategists to develop user-centric experiences for various e-commerce markets. Ultimately, the products that I have co-created are delivering impactful shopping experiences for millions of people worldwide. I have designed engaging interfaces that increase conversion rates for e-commerce companies like MasterCard, Finishline, Sears, Adam & Eve, Binny’s, Go2Marine, Restaurant Equippers, and many more.
I’ve spent my life in academia as a student and educator. I taught art to K-12 students in America and English to college students in Vietnam. This gave me better insight into the EdTech products that I’ve designed to improve education experiences for students and universities around the world. While not designing, I spend my time analyzing algorithms and coding in Java, Python, React/Redux, and Ruby/Rails.
In my early years, I studied Art in Italy (2010) and completed an Art Education degree with a Psychology minor in undergrad (2011). My studies focused on the psychological effects of art on people. I applied and received a Fulbright Fellowship to study and teach in Vietnam for one year (2011-12). After returning from Vietnam, I took a gap year to learn about French culture, art, and language in Paris, France. I returned to the states to pursue an MA (2015) in Graphic Design and MS (2020) in Computer Science.
Today, technology is the forefront of communication and allows people to connect and share experiences instantaneously. Each experience is more tailored and personalized through machine learning and big data. Although we are constantly on the cusp of innovation with technology; the user experience always falls short. For this reason, I aim to create user-centric, easy, and captivating experiences on multiple touch points and show the world how attention to detail and empathy drives further innovation.
P.S. – I’m a proud father of two Prembroke Welsh Corgis and a Tabby Cat and have a side hobby of aquascaping my three fish tanks.
Education
BA – Fine Art, Minor Education & Psychology 2011
MA – Graphic Design 2015
MS – Computer Science 2020
Experience
VitalSource (2016 – Present)
Software Engineer (1 year)
Software engineer working on an agile product team to develop and maintain the e-Commerce platform for eTextbooks. Full-stack application running on Ruby on Rails, React/Redux, MySQL, and Redis.
User Experience Designer (5 years)
Researched and created user flows and interactions for the e-commerce platform. Developed usability tests and conducted interviews for instructor and student-facing applications. Coded and maintained design system documentation and branding web application called “Chameleon.”
Finishline (2015 -16)
Front End Engineer – Mobile (1 year)
Transformed designer specifications into coded components and styles. Collaborated with another software engineer, back-end developer, and engineering manager. Maintained site speed, code clarity, and the ideal customer experience.
Unbound Commerce (2014 -16)
Web Designer and Developer (2 years)
Collaborated with a team of software engineers, stakeholders, and project managers. Designed a modular CMS for clients to create their own e-commerce iOS/android apps. Engineered UX patterns that increase mobile conversions for mid-tier e-commerce clients.
TH Design (2010 -16)
Freelance Web Designer and Developer
Managed and directed projects for a suite of small and enterprise clients looking for website design. Conceptualized and presented visual specifications to clients in collaborative brainstorming sessions. Engineered WordPress sites or standalone sites based on design specs and handoff.
Marlin Mobile (2014)
UX Intern
Work with a team of individuals from different backgrounds to develop marketing material for Marlin Mobile revolving around extensive research on user experience and interfaces. Develop landing pages from the ground up by creating wireframes, designing graphics, and coding websites. Collect and manage data from analytics and mobile devices to alter pages for optimal UX and UI. Design, code, and maintain domains and micro-sites. Maintain a server database of new incoming and previous mobile devices for website monitoring.
US VA (2014)
Visual Designer
Recipient of the Washington Center’s Federal Diversity Initiative Internship Scholarship for a gateway into developing professional skills and developing a solid resume for competitive government employment. Work with staff to develop a publishing program for OMERIC. Revamp and develop print and digital material for OMERIC and the VA at Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center. Developed and refine instructional curriculum and art therapy projects. Work with and teach veterans in vocational rehabilitation about Adobe software skills, computer soft skills, and production (printing, creasing, slitting, cutting).