I’m Jess, an Architect turned product designer with over 5 years of experience in the design field and I’m thrilled to apply for the communications design role at Portable. From designing physical spaces to digital products, I’m always looking for ways to push new ideas, help solve complex problems and leave a positive impact. I'm inspired by Portable's mission to create products that bridge the gap between policy failure and social need and would love to contribute my experience to the team.
As a UX designer, I pride myself on being an adaptive and empathetic listener and problem solver. Recently, I completed a UX education and capstone project with a client called Therapy Connect, where my team investigated the entire onboarding journey of therapists. Through interviews, discovery workshops, A/B testing, and usability testing, we were able to develop a solution that met the needs of our target user as well as our client's budget and technical constraints. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive with clients saying that our solution was "high value…well-researched…with very achievable actions.”
Prior to this, I spent five years in the creative industry as an architect and 1.5 years as a project manager. These roles not only supported but strengthened my design and research sensibility. Working with the National Disability Scheme helped me develop strong strategic design skills, considering both aesthetic appeal and the functional needs of the client. I conducted site visits, surveys, and workshops with stakeholders to have a holistic understanding of clients' unique pain points as they navigate their homes. Quick timeframes and budget constraints required me to navigate difficult conversations and communicate product trade-offs to meet business KPIs, budgets, and timelines. My strong communication skills and ability to quickly iterate designs based on feedback enabled me to exceed team expectations by delivering 12 home modifications in my first year.
Working with people with disabilities reignited my passion for understanding humans and solving complex needs through design. It was in this role that I realized that, at my core, I am a values and empathy-driven designer. Fuelled by this, I would love the opportunity to bring my drive to understand humans and passion for positive change to Portable. My colleagues and peers describe me as dedicated, personable, caring, and willing to go the extra mile. Combined with my recent UX design education, I'm confident that my skills will make me a valuable asset to the Portable team.
