Welcome to my lil’ corner of the internet!
My name is Meghan and I’d like to think of myself as a user experience advocate (aka UX designer).
While you’re here though, let me tell you a bit about myself…feel free to uh…start scrolling.
Or, hear me out, you can take the more direct route.
Design Philosophies
UX is 10% design and 90% listening.
In the ever-changing field of UX, effective communication is crucial. Although design is an essential aspect, active listening plays a pivotal role in identifying underlying issues and driving impactful solutions. Implementing Human/User-Centered Design (HCD) practices ensures that our efforts remain focused on users' needs.
Transparency and inclusion are a must.
Transparency and inclusivity are indispensable for overcoming alignment challenges between stakeholders and end-users. By fostering open communication and inclusive collaboration, we can bridge the gap between parties and build trust, build loyalty.
Maintaining thorough documentation is a valuable practice, particularly in dynamic environments with high turnover rates. However, it's essential to be adaptable and willing to move forward when circumstances demand it.
Promise this link won’t ever let you down. 😉
Career Motivations
The exhilaration of the design journey is undeniably addictive! I revel in the challenge of crafting intuitive and efficient solutions that not only delight end-users but also fulfill stakeholders' expectations.
Add in the intricate layers of compliance, accessibility considerations, company design strategies (or the occasional lack thereof), and unique regional requirements, and you've got yourself a fascinatingly complicated puzzle to solve.
Design Approach
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At the outset, employing various Human-Centered Design (HCD) activities and team workshops helps to establishing a clear understanding of project scope. By creating user/product journey maps early on, we ensure that our efforts are focused, accurate, and effective in meeting stakeholder and end-user needs.
Involving the entire team – including business partners, developers, content strategists, and compliance partners – cultivates trust and transparency throughout the project. This collaborative approach fosters a strong sense of teamwork and encourages diverse perspectives.
HCD Activities:
Hopes & Fears
Journey Mapping
Service Blueprinting
Stakeholder Interviews
Prioritization Grids
Empathy Mapping
Competitive Research
These activities enable us to empathize with users, align project goals, and inform our design decisions later down the road.
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Regularly connecting with users is essential throughout the project lifecycle thought isn’t always prioritized.
Depending on the project scope, usability testing in the early stages can help establish a baseline for future work and ensure that our efforts align with both stakeholder expectations and user needs.
Conducting interviews allows us to validate assumptions, reconcile stakeholder requests with user preferences, and ground our decisions in data-driven insights ensuring desirable end-user impact.
Maintaining open lines of communication with users, even post-production, is crucial to staying relevant in rapidly changing times which is often put by the wayside until KPIs are affected.
HCD Activities:
A/B Testing
Concept Validation
Card Sorting
User Surveys
Qual. + Quant. Research
Guerilla Testing
Any combination of these methods enable us to gather the valuable user feedback needed iterate on designs, and create more impactful and valuable solutions.
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Embracing an iterative approach during the design process is essential for refining and enhancing user experience. By identifying potential issues early on, we can address them more efficiently and effectively.
Using low-fidelity prototypes for as long as possible allows us to focus on essential features and functionality without getting sidetracked by visual refinements. This approach helps ensure that stakeholders reach a consensus on minimum project requirements before moving on to more detailed design work.
HCD Activities:
Low-Fidelity Prototyping
Rapid/Time-Boxed Prototyping
Paper Prototyping
Stakeholder Ideation Workshops
A/B Testing
Concept Validation
These methods enable us to explore a wide range of potential solutions, gather feedback from users and stakeholders, and make sound data-driven design decisions.
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The design process doesn't end when development begins. To ensure the product's continued relevance and user satisfaction, designers should remain involved throughout the project lifecycle. Building trust and securing stakeholder buy-in for ongoing design input is crucial for maintaining a user-centered approach.
Iterative refinement of the experience enables the product to evolve in response to changing user needs and market trends. This continuous improvement process helps maintain a high-quality user experience and fosters user loyalty.
HCD Activities:
Prioritization Grids
Discovery Workshops
User Journey Mapping
Archetype Development & Analysis
Competitive & Industry Research
These activities allow us to identify areas for improvement, anticipate user needs, and inform our design decisions with valuable insights.
So who is that UX lady?
Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, I developed a strong appreciation for creativity and problem-solving from an early age. I went on to earn my Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from the University of the Incarnate Word, where I honed my design skills and nurtured my passion for innovation.
Throughout my career, I've held various positions that have provided me with a diverse range of experiences. While not all of them were directly related to UX/UI design, each opportunity contributed valuable insights that have shaped my approach to problem-solving and design thinking.
Currently, I serve as a UX/UI Designer at USAA, where I thrive in an environment that encourages growth and collaboration. Beyond my professional pursuits, I am an avid gamer who attributes my love for strategic thinking to the challenges and puzzles found in the virtual worlds I explore.
On a personal note, my husband and I are proud "parents" to four wonderful dogs who fill our lives with joy and remind us of the importance of balance and living in the moment. We aspire to lead lives as carefree and content as our furry companions.
You survived my website, congrats!
You and ONLY you have won exclusive access to my super cool playlist I use for heads down work. May it help you fulfill all your wildest professional dreams.