I’ve had amazing opportunities to design for emerging technologies like quantum computing, public projects like IRS Direct File, and high-risk fintech with Dow Jones. Those have required a variety of production skills like rapid prototyping with AI, lean to complex usability studies, strategic planning across competing business units.
But one of the hardest sells I make is making sure products can be used by everyone. Not just by those with permanent disabilities, but also by the rest of us with strained eyes, injured wrists, or frayed nerves. All boats are lifted by a rising tide of accessible design.
Barron’s Investor Circle
The goal
Experiment with what a premium tier subscription might be. Use community, editorial engagement, and better data analysis tools to increase engagement, brand trust, and retention.
Results
Targeting 25% weekly community participation across our subscribers with clearer paths to retention and subscription growth.
My role
I clarified the UX goals and tied them to user motivations. I shaped how social aspects and adjacent surfaces should feel premium, credible, and useful enough to build repeat engagement.
IRS Direct File
The goal
Produce an extremely high profile and high value application for the IRS in a ludicrously short amount of time. Also meet a high bar for accessibility.
Results
A landmark moment in government software (NPS +82) and how people file taxes, and exceptionally accessible to boot!
My role
I led all strategy and delivery for accessibility (508) to ensure this launched with an optimized experience for people with disabilities. As the design principal from Truss, I managed our design/research relationship with our partners in this $4M contract. I also led the design response to the procurement process to win our contract.
Unemployment insurance
The goal
Deliver a pilot project to transform the unemployment insurance (UI) experience for all states, starting with New Jersey
Results
We launched a new experience that reduced claimant time to file by 40 minutes, and our government stakeholders lauded our documentation as a “standard” to continue building by.
My role
I led design and research for Truss’ part of this effort, particularly in visual and interaction design, content design, research, and accessibility. I have also been key personnel in seeking follow-up contracts with Truss’ sales team.
Blockchain Invoicing for TradeLens
The goal
Research and design a blockchain-based logistics service at IBM, based on the Tradelens platform.
Results
We built something really cool, complex, and usable in a very short amount of time. We were featured at THINK 2019, IBM’s flagship conference, and we patented the underlying technology.
My role
I led all design and research alongside a top architect and product manager to leanly build a prototype application. I continued to do QA and rapid iterations with our engineering team to launch a coded prototype.
Greene Hill Food Co-op
The goal
Refresh and improve shoppers’ experience upon entering the grocery co-op.
Results
I refreshed the visual design to bring it closer to our store brand and resolved some UX debt. I also refactored the Vue UI and Python API to improve efficiency and code readability, while updating documentation and the underlying system to help future-proof everything.
My role
I did all design, coding, and documentation, while I mentored fellow co-op members interested in taking on tasks. That included creating tickets to clearly scope work that could be done at multiple skill levels with minimal supervision.