About

Hi, I'm James, a creative strategist, problem solver, UX researcher, lifelong learner, and designer of experiences.

Since I was a kid, I’ve had a proclivity for recognizing patterns, drawing connections, and identifying areas for improvement. I wasn’t quite sure how best to use these gifts until I found UX.

I work with businesses to identify problems and devise delightful, elegant solutions from concept through high-fidelity prototypes.

Skilled Communication

Throughout all of my experiences, I've learned the importance of communicating assumptions, processes, and solutions—both verbally and in the form of deliverables.

An Eye for design

Ever since my first photography class, I've had a keen eye for what works and what doesn't. I’ve developed these skills into a powerful design sensibility.

People-first attitude

Smart design happens when we pay attention to the nuances that affect people. As a former military leader and then a personal money advisor, I feel I have a pretty good grasp of people. Still, I am always striving to learn more about what makes people tick and what makes them happy.

Multifaceted approach

As with anything on the web, no one element makes UX design work. It involves smart layout and typography, good copy, beautiful imagery, strong research, and so much more. I've dipped my toes, and come prepared to bring them together into a beautiful experience.

An obsession for improvement

My path in design has been fueled by an obsession for improvement. What started as a diverse array of experiences evolved into a deep understanding of human-system interactions. In 2016, I began merging these experiences with my drive to enhance people's experiences, leading me to volunteer for a design firm's website redesign. This pivotal moment marked the start of my formal journey in human-centered design.

Design is fundamentally about improvement too!

I am always buzzing with ideas to make things better. I’m a good listener, observant, and highly attuned to people's needs. And with that awareness comes the ability to recognize patterns, notice areas for improvement, and eventually evolve ideas forward.

Design process

Discover

Uncover key facets of the business challenge, target audience, and competitive landscape. I employ both quantitative and qualitative user research methods tailored to each project, aiming to deeply understand user behaviors and needs. This foundational step ensures a user-centric approach from the outset.

Define & Ideate

Clearly articulate the problem to be solved. In this phase, I brainstorm a wide array of creative solutions, prioritizing diversity and quantity of ideas. This process is crucial for uncovering innovative and effective design strategies.

Design

Select and refine the most promising ideas. I craft these concepts into a realistic prototype, translating abstract ideas into tangible solutions. This phase is where creativity meets practicality, shaping the user experience.

Test & Iterate

The prototype undergoes rigorous testing with the target audience. This critical evaluation not only reveals areas for improvement but also guides the iterative process. Each iteration brings the design closer to an optimal user experience.

Data-Driven Design

Design Thinking, Human-Centered Design, Design Sprints, Workshops, O My!

My design approach is iterative, non-linear, and responsive, fusing principles of Data-Driven Design, Lean UX, and Design Thinking with the structure of Design Sprints.

I adopt a creative, user-centric mindset, leveraging data to inform each stage, ensuring solutions are not just innovative, but also empirically grounded.

Design Sprints and workshops provide a collaborative and semi-structured framework for rapidly testing and evolving prototypes.

My process prioritizes rapid prototyping and solicits real user feedback, generating new data and fueling continuous improvement. Each iteration is an opportunity to refine or pivot to meet user needs and achieve the most impactful outcomes more effectively.