I’m a UX designer focused on creating inclusive digital experiences.
Case Studies
Whimsy is a platform for parents to buy and sell gently used children’s clothing, toys and gear.
This case study demonstrates my thought process for accessibility, user research, information architecture, wireframes, prototyping and editing based on user feedback.
The Budget Forward app is a holistic approach to budgeting.
This case study demonstrates my thought process for accessibility, user research, information architecture, wireframes, prototyping and editing based on user feedback.
Pattern Sphere is a startup designed to provide a database of patterns that help address systemic problems.
This case study showcases my approach to user research, including developing personas, user journey maps, and applying insights to improve the project onboarding process.
Resume
Work Experience
Pattern Sphere — UX Designer and Researcher
November 2024 - Present
Partnered closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to enhance app accessibility, implementing WCAG best practices, leading to a more inclusive, human-centered experience.
Conducted detailed surveys and interviews focusing on volunteers’ experiences; identified key areas for improvement, which directly increased satisfaction scores and improved volunteer retention.
Spearheaded in depth research to define and refine user personas, ensuring a deeper understanding of user needs and behaviors. Created user journey maps based on findings.
Kansas City Magazine — Illustrator
April 2018 - March 2022
Collaborated with art directors to create compelling visual storytelling through portraits and narrative illustrations, iterating designs based on feedback to enhance impact and clarity.
Willamette Week — Illustrator
June 2017 - November 2018
Translated complex ideas into compelling illustrations
for feature stories and cover art, using visual storytelling
to enhance engagement and clarity.
RCL Benziger — Illustrator
May 2016 - August 2016
Created visually intuitive illustrations for Be My Disciples textbook, improving information retention and engagement through user-centered design principles.
DuoPress — Illustrator
March 2014 - January 2015
Illustrated 70 pages of “Julia Child: An Extraordinary Life,” utilizing strategic visuals that enhanced readability; directly contributed to receiving positive feedback from readers.
Seattle Publishing — Graphic Design Intern
January 2013- April 2013
Developed digital illustrations and designed publications with a focus on intuitive layouts, accessibility, and visual storytelling to improve user experience.
Education
Google UX Design Certificate
February 2024 - August 2024
Led end-to-end UX design for two apps, from initial concept to high-fidelity prototypes, incorporating interaction design and experience design principles to enhance user satisfaction.
Conducted comprehensive user research, including usability testing and interviews, to identify opportunity areas, validate concepts, and inform iterative improvements, resulting in increased user engagement.
Synthesized research insights into actionable design decisions, presented findings, and developed wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity interactive prototypes.
BFA in Illustration, Minor in Graphic Design
Savannah College of Art And Design
Developed a strong visual storytelling approach by distilling complex ideas into intuitive presentations, websites, storyboards, illustrations, package design,
and print material.
Implemented psychology principles and research to understand user behavior and inform business strategy and design decisions.
Accolades
Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles
Swains Gallery, exhibited in 2019 and 2015
Creative Quarterly
Winner in issue 41, runner up in issues 39, 40, and 42
Bainbridge Island Art Walk
Solo exhibit, October, 2015
3x3 International Illustration Show
Two Honorable Mentions in issue No.12, 2015
Applied Arts Magazine
Young Blood Awards
Two winning entries and nominated for
Best in Show, 2014
Skills
Figma
Fullstory
Adobe CS
HTML
CSS
Software Design
UX Research
Interviews
Usability Testing
Accessible Design
Inclusive Design
Wireframes
Information Architecture
Design Systems
Style Guides
Responsive Design
User Flow
User Journey Maps
Storyboarding
A little about me
With a background in illustration and graphic design, I have over a decade of experience hand-lettering, designing, and illustrating books, magazines, and newspapers. Now, I am excited to begin a new chapter in my career as a UX Designer. I bring accessibility, empathy and storytelling into all my projects to create human-centered digital experiences.
I am an enthusiastic gardener, and I love to read, knit, and hike. Over the past seven years, I have renovated my 1920s cottage in Portland, Oregon. The house looks great, and, like any fixer-upper, it still needs work! Choosing a favorite book is really hard, but I would have to say The Bone Clocks, by David Mitchell, is at the very top of the list. Fun Fact: I climbed Mount Meru in Tanzania when I was eight.
Joanna Gorham
Watercolor on paper, 2019