UX Architect & Systems Thinker

Value Proposition

Over 20 years, I’ve specialized in the kind of design work that requires both breadth and depth: enterprise-scale systems where a single decision affects millions of users, where legacy constraints meet modern expectations, and where “just redesign it” isn’t an option.

My unique value comes from combining:

• Deep UX architecture expertise – information architecture, interaction patterns, user flows at scale
• Systems thinking – seeing how pieces connect, anticipating downstream effects
• Technical fluency – HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and the ability to bridge design and engineering
• Pragmatic problem-solving – solutions that work within real organizational and technical constraints

Complex Systems Architecture

I design the underlying structure of complex products – the navigation, information hierarchy, and interaction patterns that make or break usability. Whether it’s restructuring a 20-year-old platform or architecting a greenfield ecosystem, I create foundations that scale.

Enterprise UX Strategy

For platforms serving thousands of organizations and millions of users, I develop UX strategies that balance diverse needs: different user types, varying technical literacy, compliance requirements, and organizational customization.

Technical Design Leadership

As a designer who codes, I create specifications that engineers actually want to build. I develop front-end architectures, CSS systems, and technical standards that ensure design fidelity while maintaining developer efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

I lead design initiatives across distributed teams, facilitate stakeholder alignment, and translate between business objectives, user needs, and technical realities. I’m equally comfortable presenting to executives or pairing with engineers.

UX Architect – R&D Product Group

Key Contributions:

• Architected the strategic UX vision for all user experiences across the ecosystem
• Served dual role as UX Architect and Technical Advisor until technical architect was hired
• Designed AI-driven personalized learning pathways with machine learning integration
• Created the content authoring platform architecture enabling reusable learning objects
• Co-inventor on patent application for “Technologies and services to deliver customized and responsive learning pathways”
• Led design for 6+ distinct user types: learners, instructors, advisors, assessment staff, content authors, administrators

Scope:

135K+ students | Greenfield ecosystem | Patent-pending platform

Principal UX Designer – K-12 Student Information System

14 years evolving the UX of a platform serving 70M students across 3,000+ school districts. Grew from sole designer to leading a team of 5, while personally driving major architectural initiatives.

Key Contributions:

• Proposed and designed complete information architecture redesign for 20-year-old platform
• Developed CSS architecture matching company design system without full codebase rewrite
• Built design pattern library reducing development time by 40%
• Transformed security model from obscurity-based to systematic database-driven permissions
• Standardized 6,000+ pages of HTML for maintainability and accessibility
• Presented at UX conferences and conducted cognitive walkthroughs with long-term customers
• Managed team of 5 designers while maintaining hands-on design and development work

Scope:

• 70M students
• 3,000+ districts
• 6,000+ pages
• 14 years of platform evolution

UX Architecture & Design Systems Consultant

Working with enterprise clients on design systems, UX architecture, and accessibility initiatives.

Recent Focus Areas:

• Design systems consulting for financial services organizations
• UX architecture for government contractors
• Accessibility audits and WCAG compliance
• Complex form and workflow optimization

UX & Design

• Information Architecture
• Interaction Design
• User Research & Testing
• Cognitive Walkthroughs
• Journey Mapping
• Wireframing & Prototyping
• Design Systems
• Accessibility (WCAG 2.1)

Tools

• Figma
• Sketch
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Miro / FigJam
• Jira / Confluence

Technical

• HTML5 / CSS3
• JavaScript
• Responsive Design
• Git / Version Control
• Front-end Architecture
• CSS Architecture (BEM, etc.)

Process & Leadership

• Agile / Scrum
• Design Sprints
• Stakeholder Management
• Cross-functional Leadership
• Technical Writing
• Executive Presentations

Complexity is a Design Problem

Most design portfolios showcase beautiful interfaces. My work often starts with systems so complex that users have given up trying to understand them. I find satisfaction in bringing order to chaos – not by oversimplifying, but by revealing the underlying structure.

Bridge Design and Engineering

Speaking both languages – design and code – lets me create specifications that engineers want to build and catch implementation issues before they become problems. This technical fluency is increasingly rare and increasingly valuable.

Beyond Work

When I’m not architecting complex systems, I pursue creative outlets that inform my design thinking:

• Photography – Training my eye to find composition and meaning in complex scenes translates directly to information design.
• Woodworking – Working with constraints and materials, understanding that good craft requires both vision and technical execution.
• Backpacking – A lifelong interest that reminds me that the best experiences often emerge from quiet contemplation in nature.

These interests reflect the same tension I navigate professionally: balancing systematic thinking with creative problem-solving.

Let’s Connect

I’m always interested in challenging projects that require systems thinking, technical depth, and the ability to navigate complexity.

Best for:

• Enterprise UX architecture
• Complex system redesigns
• Design systems strategy
• Technical design leadership