ABOUT

Learning about the world of UX was like unwrapping the perfect gift.

One that wasn’t even on my wish list.

I like discovering new things. I enjoy asking questions and finding answers. I relish learning about new things. I delight in a challenge.

But I don’t think that online experiences should be challenging. Whether users are booking a flight, shopping for a gift, or transferring money between bank accounts, they have a task to complete. The process of completing that task should be easy. In some cases, it can—and should—be enjoyable.

I didn’t learn of the term ‘UX’ until after I had graduated college, worked at a few companies (including my own startup), and graduated from business school.

But I was elated to discover an entire field dedicated to improving how people interact with products and services.

I might have been a little late to the party, but I was ecstatic to arrive.

The people at this soirée were concerned with topics that were important to me, including:

Respect for the user, and the recognition that all users are not the same

The value of clarity and consistency
Reverence for research
A disdain for Comic Sans 🙃
Pretty sure this isn’t limited to people in UX and design.

With this new awareness, I was motivated to explore the areas that contribute to a successful user experience. I switched into learning mode, reading books and articles, listening to podcasts, and taking online courses and certification programs.

In a fortuitous turn of events, I attended a user research webinar led by Bobbie Wood, and was introduced to UX Writing, now also referred to as Content Design. I saw the work of the UX Writer/Content Designer as the glue that fuses the human connection between the user and the product. I became enamored with the role of content in the larger design process, and the collaboration required to build a product that users will enjoy.

I’ll never stop learning—whether it’s related to this field or how to properly hang heavy items on a wall. But I also love doing the work and making a difference.

And, of course, you can’t keep me away from a bad pun.