My Journey in Design

14

years in software

300,000+

people have used my software

6

startups and non-profits

1

canine co-designer

Games, Systems, and Users

My resume

I started my career in production and operation software product analysis, but I was at a more traditional, larger, implementation-based company. I grew unhappy with the slow speed of work and stymied creativity, so I went to work.

I started to show my art all over Denver. I took game and web development classes at my local community college - using up all my PTO to attend class. And then I fell in love with Interactive Media. I took my chance and won a full scholarship with assistantship in a well-regarded media program at WPI in Massachusetts, and that was that.

At school, I fell in love with complex systems design through my work in Systems Dynamics and Systems Engineering.

After graduating with an MS in Interactive Media and Game Development, I chose to pursue UX rather than games. I jumped into the Denver Startup scene as employee number 4 at Active Oversight. Our unmediated and continuous interactions with the users we were serving was incredible. The Startup didn't make, but I was hooked. I've been here ever since.

My Design Philosophy

Focus

Data and direct user interactions lead me to a crystal clear understanding of what I am solving and why. Keeping focus on this is paramount.

Daring

There's no room for doubt in design. I work surefootedly, ready to launch my ideas directly to users at a moment's notice and learn - even if its painful or unflattering.

Ownership

Radical ownership means I must become the SME of the system, the business, and most of all the user. It's always my job and I'm always moving with the team.

How do I build and lead teams?

The people always come first. Happy people make beautiful things, and tight teamwork requires a bond of mutual respect. These are some of my favorite pictures of me and my teams in person and together remotely!