Illustration by MKN-Design

I am a multi-disciplinary designer, information architect, and UX researcher committed to making the complex clear with the amazing team at The Understanding Group. This site is my personal blog.

For over 12 years I’ve been involved with SiTE:LAB, a nomadic all-volunteer art initiative founded by artist Paul Amenta that since 2009, has created 28 award-winning temporary public projects and site-specific art installations in underutilized and unique spaces. As part of SiTE:LAB, I design project collateral (event branding, signage systems, promotions) and event catalogs; coordinate public engagement technology experiences (motion-controlled projections, interactive walls and kiosks, Bluetooth beacon apps, time-lapse experiments, etc.); and photograph the events. I also support project planning, fundraising proposals, and install/deinstall. SiTE:LAB requirements typically include juggling a laptop, a drill, and a camera. On a ladder. Simultaneously.

I also volunteer for local and design industry organizations including: IxDA Grand Rapids, TEDxGrandRapids, AIGA West Michigan Design Week, and in 2013, I co-chaired the MidwestUX conference in Grand Rapids.

In 2008, I started ThinkXD LLC, for my work as an independent UX designer, where my focus was on the research and interaction design for a wide range of products, web-based applications, and apps. Over those years I had the good fortune to work with wonderful collaborators, UX and ID studios, software development firms, and startups. Since joining TUG in 2014, I shifted ThinkXD exclusively to design-related side projects including…

Collaborations with artist Diana Shpungin on the design of three of her catalogs:

Cover Illustrations for the magnificent Javier Grillo-Marxuach:

2005-2008, I was an Interaction Designer at Knoware, a studio dedicated to web applications and embedded display products with a knack for invention.

1998-2005, I was a Project Leader/Interactive Designer with Square One Design, a nationally recognized graphic design and brand studio. 

A selection of works from my time as a designer at Square One Design are included in the West Michigan Graphic Design Archives.

1991-1998, I was a broadcast designer at Trillion Post Production, storyboarding videos and designing information graphics and animation for video. The transition in the mid-90s to interactive CD-ROMs and the web cemented my love for the Mac and the prospect of digital product design becoming a real thing.

I have a B.F.A. in Industrial Design from Carnegie Mellon University, a foundation that I still draw upon today to keep the end user at the heart of any project.

Cheers!

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One Response to About

  1. […] great colleagues like Howdy Pierce, Judy Haraburda, Drue Miller, Karl Barnhart, Dustin Frazier, Grant Carmichael, Stephen Glicker, Bruce Kasrel, Nathan Fullerton and Javier Grillo-Marxuach. Most importantly, […]