"If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful." Jeff Bezos.
My Research & Design Process
Focusing on figuring out the real problem to solve is the core of my design process. From research to testing prototypes with real users, I always aim to focus on a user-centric approach through iterative design. Working collaboratively allows me to discover the most suitable principles for each project, and I'm flexible enough to adapt my design process whenever it's needed.
Design thinking is one of the human-centered approaches I use to solve problems. The process outlined above depicts the typical flow from start to finish, although in reality, it's iterative rather than linear.
Research & Design Tools
I’m a highly competent individual with mastery in a wide variety of professional-grade design applications. These are the preferred tools that I've been working on to streamline my design & research processes, but I'm always open to learning new methodologies, approaches, & strategies.
Professional Experience
I've worked with top global and Kenyan corporations, brands, start-ups, and agencies alongside building my own product portfolio. For the past several years, I have implemented product innovation & met the business goals of organizations across a broad range of industries.
Principal Product Designer & Researcher: June 2018 - Present
• Conducting product-market fit and user research to ensure that products align with business goals and market demands before committing resources to design and development
• Providing guidance and working with the engineering team after handing off designs to ensure the built product aligns with the initial intended UI and user experience
• Conducting daily and weekly check-ins with designers and engineers to promote effective communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and alignment toward project goals.
• Leading the team in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new designers and software engineers.
• Building programs and frameworks that enable the professional growth and development of product designers, researchers, and engineers
• Collaborating with engineers, designers, and researchers to document product features and details before, during, and after research, designing, and after development
• Maintaining the organization's core design system on Figma and the code repository on GitHub
• Guiding and giving front-end engineers feedback during UI development to help them understand the design specification and how to accurately implement it
• Writing the backlog for the front-end engineering team, which guides them in coding the build to match the Figma design
• Providing guidance and working with the engineering team after handing off designs to ensure the built product aligns with the initial intended UI and user experience
• Conducting daily and weekly check-ins with designers and engineers to promote effective communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and alignment toward project goals.
• Leading the team in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new designers and software engineers.
• Building programs and frameworks that enable the professional growth and development of product designers, researchers, and engineers
• Collaborating with engineers, designers, and researchers to document product features and details before, during, and after research, designing, and after development
• Maintaining the organization's core design system on Figma and the code repository on GitHub
• Guiding and giving front-end engineers feedback during UI development to help them understand the design specification and how to accurately implement it
• Writing the backlog for the front-end engineering team, which guides them in coding the build to match the Figma design
Senior UX/UI Designer: June 2022 - June 2023
• Owned the design process from start to finish, including wireframing, coordinating with user research and field teams, working with the VP of product to consolidate and action feedback, and walking internal stakeholders through mockups and/or wireframes.
• Ran design workshops, usability tests, and working sessions with intended end-users and relevant stakeholders to flesh out the proposed user experience and features.
• Interfaced with other team members (research, product owner, consultants) and engineering to guide the creation of the product based on the specifications.
• Applied UX principles and design practices to identify key barriers and drivers of desired user behaviors.
• Identified clear and measurable metrics to track the product's success, in close alignment with product owners and the VP of product.
• Based on HCD frameworks and research (conducted by the entire team), developed a deep understanding of specific experiences, identified and filled UX gaps, and generated new ideas to improve the user experience.
• Developed UI mockups and prototypes that clearly illustrated how products, sites, or specific parts of digital tools functioned and looked.
• Designed assets such as UI elements and components based on evidence gathered through desk research, surveys, and product testing.
• Led the visual and technical direction of the experience design, visual style, and technical tooling, with input from director-level peers of product design and engineering teams.
• Ran design workshops, usability tests, and working sessions with intended end-users and relevant stakeholders to flesh out the proposed user experience and features.
• Interfaced with other team members (research, product owner, consultants) and engineering to guide the creation of the product based on the specifications.
• Applied UX principles and design practices to identify key barriers and drivers of desired user behaviors.
• Identified clear and measurable metrics to track the product's success, in close alignment with product owners and the VP of product.
• Based on HCD frameworks and research (conducted by the entire team), developed a deep understanding of specific experiences, identified and filled UX gaps, and generated new ideas to improve the user experience.
• Developed UI mockups and prototypes that clearly illustrated how products, sites, or specific parts of digital tools functioned and looked.
• Designed assets such as UI elements and components based on evidence gathered through desk research, surveys, and product testing.
• Led the visual and technical direction of the experience design, visual style, and technical tooling, with input from director-level peers of product design and engineering teams.
Marketing Creative Designer: Aug 2017 - June 2022
• Provided artistic direction and leadership to the design team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality visual content aligned with the brands' objectives.
• Collaborated with brand managers to understand project requirements, goals, and timelines.
• Developed and executed creative concepts that aligned with the brands' vision and resonated with the target audience.
• Oversaw the creation of visual elements, including but not limited to graphics, illustrations, and layouts.
• Led, mentored, and inspired junior designers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Conducted regular reviews and provided constructive feedback to enhance individual and team performance.
• Ensured consistency in the visual identity and brand guidelines across all platforms and projects.
• Collaborated with the marketing team and external agencies to maintain a cohesive brand image.
• Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring they were delivered on time and within budget.
• Worked closely with brand managers to allocate resources effectively and meet project milestones.
• Kept abreast of design trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices.
• Applied knowledge to enhance the creative output and maintain a competitive edge.
• Collaborated with brand managers to understand project requirements, goals, and timelines.
• Developed and executed creative concepts that aligned with the brands' vision and resonated with the target audience.
• Oversaw the creation of visual elements, including but not limited to graphics, illustrations, and layouts.
• Led, mentored, and inspired junior designers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Conducted regular reviews and provided constructive feedback to enhance individual and team performance.
• Ensured consistency in the visual identity and brand guidelines across all platforms and projects.
• Collaborated with the marketing team and external agencies to maintain a cohesive brand image.
• Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring they were delivered on time and within budget.
• Worked closely with brand managers to allocate resources effectively and meet project milestones.
• Kept abreast of design trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices.
• Applied knowledge to enhance the creative output and maintain a competitive edge.
Creative Designer: July 2016 - July 2017
• Developed creative concepts and translated them into visually appealing designs across various media platforms, including print, digital, and social media.
• Collaborated with the creative team to brainstorm and contributed innovative ideas for client campaigns.
• Played a crucial role in the development and maintenance of brand identities for clients, ensuring consistency and adherence to brand guidelines across all design elements.
• Collaborated with the animation team to create engaging multimedia content, including videos, animations, and interactive presentations.
• Worked closely with client service managers to understand their design needs and provided creative solutions that aligned with customer brand objectives.
• Presented and articulated design concepts to clients, incorporating feedback to refine the final deliverables.
• Stayed informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and design best practices to keep our work at the forefront of creativity.
• Collaborated with the creative team to brainstorm and contributed innovative ideas for client campaigns.
• Played a crucial role in the development and maintenance of brand identities for clients, ensuring consistency and adherence to brand guidelines across all design elements.
• Collaborated with the animation team to create engaging multimedia content, including videos, animations, and interactive presentations.
• Worked closely with client service managers to understand their design needs and provided creative solutions that aligned with customer brand objectives.
• Presented and articulated design concepts to clients, incorporating feedback to refine the final deliverables.
• Stayed informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and design best practices to keep our work at the forefront of creativity.
Studio Designer: Aug 2014 - Jul 2016
• Collaborated with the principal photographer and clients to understand project requirements.
• Developed designs for photography sets, props, and backdrops.
• Selected and sourced materials and props for photo shoots.
• Coordinated with the production team to ensure designs were implemented correctly.
• Prepared equipment and set before and after photo shoots.
• Offered art direction and assisted the principal photographer during photo shoots.
• Worked with makeup artists and stylists to theme photoshoots.
• Retouched clients’ photos and designed photo books & canvases for printing.
• Provided customer service, including booking customers’ appointments, keeping track of scheduling to deal with any conflicts, and answering customers’ questions about services.
• Maintained a high level of quality and consistency in all design work during post-production.
• Managed the coordination of design projects from start to finish, including scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.
• Served as an alternative point of contact for clients, providing updates on project progress, addressing any concerns, and ensuring client satisfaction.
• Organized and maintained digital and physical files related to design projects, including design drafts, final files, and client communications.
• Maintained an inventory of design materials, props, and equipment, ensuring that supplies were well-stocked and readily available for projects.
• Developed designs for photography sets, props, and backdrops.
• Selected and sourced materials and props for photo shoots.
• Coordinated with the production team to ensure designs were implemented correctly.
• Prepared equipment and set before and after photo shoots.
• Offered art direction and assisted the principal photographer during photo shoots.
• Worked with makeup artists and stylists to theme photoshoots.
• Retouched clients’ photos and designed photo books & canvases for printing.
• Provided customer service, including booking customers’ appointments, keeping track of scheduling to deal with any conflicts, and answering customers’ questions about services.
• Maintained a high level of quality and consistency in all design work during post-production.
• Managed the coordination of design projects from start to finish, including scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.
• Served as an alternative point of contact for clients, providing updates on project progress, addressing any concerns, and ensuring client satisfaction.
• Organized and maintained digital and physical files related to design projects, including design drafts, final files, and client communications.
• Maintained an inventory of design materials, props, and equipment, ensuring that supplies were well-stocked and readily available for projects.
Design Apprentice: Dec 2010 - Aug 2014
• Worked closely with senior designers and faculty members to understand project requirements and objectives.
• Collaborated with team members to contribute creative ideas and solutions to design challenges.
• Assisted in the creation of design concepts, layouts, and visual elements for various projects, both digital and print.
• Used design software and tools proficiently to bring concepts to life and contribute to the overall aesthetic of projects.
• Received constructive feedback from senior designers and implemented revisions to improve design quality.
• Participated in design critiques and discussions, demonstrating a willingness to learn and grow from feedback.
• Assisted in organizing and managing design project timelines, ensuring that tasks were completed within deadlines.
• Collaborated with team members to maintain project documentation, including design briefs, progress reports, and other relevant materials.
• Actively engaged in learning opportunities provided by the community design college, workshops, and online resources to enhance design skills.
• Maintained organized records of design projects, including source files, versions, and final deliverables.
• Collaborated with team members to contribute creative ideas and solutions to design challenges.
• Assisted in the creation of design concepts, layouts, and visual elements for various projects, both digital and print.
• Used design software and tools proficiently to bring concepts to life and contribute to the overall aesthetic of projects.
• Received constructive feedback from senior designers and implemented revisions to improve design quality.
• Participated in design critiques and discussions, demonstrating a willingness to learn and grow from feedback.
• Assisted in organizing and managing design project timelines, ensuring that tasks were completed within deadlines.
• Collaborated with team members to maintain project documentation, including design briefs, progress reports, and other relevant materials.
• Actively engaged in learning opportunities provided by the community design college, workshops, and online resources to enhance design skills.
• Maintained organized records of design projects, including source files, versions, and final deliverables.
Volunteer Experience
UX/UI Design & Research Instructor on YouTube
Common growth is important to me, and knowledge exchange is key to that. Teaching is not only exciting but a fundamental bit of how I define the role of a responsible designer. I am happy to have the opportunity to do so on my YouTube channel.
My home office & studio where I work and study.
Learning & Growth Strategy
Design & research techniques & tools are constantly evolving. This is because modern users are highly empowered with information to make brand choices. To make sure that I'm keeping up with the industry, I have enrolled in several world-class online research & design learning platforms.
