A Seattle-based UX Designer passionate about human-centered experiences, accessible information architecture, & usability testing.
CV
About Vesper By Design
Vesper By Design is a UX design portfolio created by a designer and photographer on a mission to advance usability and accessibility through design that is both inclusive and expansive of the status quo which leaves out the vast majority of us. Our goal is to create designs that are not only visually appealing but also user-centric, with a focus on enhancing the user experience and making it accessible to everyone. We believe that design is a powerful tool that can be used to make a positive impact on people's lives, and that is what we strive to achieve with every project we take on.
Skills
User-Driven Design Qualitative Research Information Architecture Prototyping 日本語 Usability Testing Design Systems HTML & CCS
Applied Linguistics Diversity & Inclusion Accessibility Azure DevOps Figma Adobe
Experience
2023
Volunteer
24hr Hackathon, Pachedu LGBTQI Collective via Out In Tech
Served as the Information Architect and UX lead among a group of 6 volunteers tasked with redesigning the existing WordPress website of Pachedu LGBTQI Collective, an NPO supporting refugees & migrants in Kenya.
2023
Volunteer
48hr Design Sprint, Unmatched Athlete via MICA's DesignFest 2023
Served as the Information Architect and UX lead among a group of student volunteers as part of a two-day design sprint benefiting local, grassroots organizations hosted by the Maryland Institute College of Art.
2020-Present
Paid
User Acceptance Testing Specialist, National General Lender Services (US)
Collaboratively work with key stakeholders, business analysts, developers, and other lines of business to write & facilitate execution of user/client testing of internal-facing software and lender-facing websites that meet both user and business requirements.
2017-2019
Paid
Head English Instructor, Clark International H.S. (Japan)
Designed original educational materials & curricula to meet yearly educational milestones & testing goals while teaching English to students ages 16 – 18.
Organized teacher training sessions and liaised between Japanese & foreign teachers.
Education
2022-2023
M.P.S User Experience Design, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
Studied graphic design principles and techniques, including typography, layout, and color theory. Developed skills in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and other design tools. Completed a senior thesis project focused on mobile design.
2012
Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 2 Certificate (日本語能力試験2級合格)
Intermediate-advanced certification in Japanese language proficiency.
2005-2007
B.A. Applied Linguistics, Portland State University
Explored the intersection of design and technology, with a focus on user-centered design principles. Conducted extensive user research and developed prototypes to test and refine design concepts. Completed a thesis project focused on designing an accessible mobile app for people with visual impairments.
Interests
When I'm not designing, I enjoy photography, hiking, and traveling. I believe that exploring new places and cultures is a great way to gain inspiration and broaden your perspective. I also enjoy volunteering my time and skills to organizations that promote accessibility and inclusivity in design.