My process

Discovery

Research & analysis

Build an understanding of the problem & user

Define the problem

Determine what goes into the feature

Design

Ideate

Work through all of the possible solutions

Prototype & test

Simulate the experience

Launch

Handover & launch

Make it all come together

Evaluate & iterate

Validating the concept

Discovery

1. Research & analysis:

My first step is to gather information about the users and their needs, as well as the context in which they will be using the product or service and generally find out more about the problem we're solving. This involves conducting user surveys, interviews, and usability tests, as well as analysing competitor products and market trends. During this process, I aim to gain a deep understanding of the users, their goals, pain points, and how the product or service can help them achieve their objectives.

Outputs / activities:

  • Speak to internal stakeholders
  • Have a clear understanding of real world goals & pain points
  • User testing and observation
  • Customer surveys, interviews and focus groups
  • Look into data analytics
  • Competitive analysis and market research
  • Lightening demos
  • How might we

Discovery

2. Define the problem:

Based on the research, the next step is to define the problem I'll be solving. I identify the goals and objectives of the feature, and the user requirements that need to be met in order to achieve those goals. This stage is crucial in ensuring that the design is user-centred, and that it meets the needs of the target audience.

Outputs / activities:

  • User personas and user stories
  • Problem statements and design briefs
  • Contextual inquiries and journey mapping
  • Project milestones

Design

3. Ideate & conceptualise:

Once the problem has been defined, I move on to generating ideas. This involves brainstorming sessions, UX workshops with the wider team, sketching, and creating wireframes or prototypes. During this stage, I explore a variety of potential solutions, without worrying too much about details at this point. This is when the new experience starts to come to life.

Outputs / activities:

  • Sketching and white boarding
  • Brainstorming sessions and ideation workshops
  • Concept mapping and mind mapping
  • Wireframing and prototyping software
  • Team-based solution sketching
  • Feedback sessions

Design

4. Prototype & test:

Once the problem has been defined, I move on to generating ideas. This involves brainstorming sessions, UX workshops with the wider team, sketching, and creating wireframes or prototypes. During this stage, I explore a variety of potential solutions, without worrying too much about details at this point. This is when the new experience starts to come to life.

Outputs / activities:

  • User personas and user stories
  • Problem statements and design briefs
  • Contextual inquiries and journey mapping
  • Project milestones

Launch

5. Handover & launch:

Once the design has been finalised, I work closely with my engineering team to implement it into a working feature. During this stage, I ensure that the design is implemented correctly, and that it meets the user requirements identified during the research and analysis stage. Once the feature is ready, it can be launched to our customers.

Outputs / activities:

  • Document requirements
  • Document any interactions that may not be included in the designs

Launch

6. Evaluate & iterate:

A UX designer's job isn't complete until it's in the customers hands, and has been validated. Once the featured has launched, I continue to evaluate its performance and make iterative improvements based on user feedback and other metrics. This involves a process of continuous improvement, with the goal of making the product or service as user-friendly as possible. I use various tools and methods, such as analytics, A/B testing, and usability testing, to identify opportunities for improvement and make changes to the design.

Outputs / activities:

  • Analytics tools
  • A/B tests
  • User feedback
  • Working closely with customer support

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Rapid7

  • Cyber Security
  • 2020 - Present
  • Senior UX Designer

Rapid7 are a cloud based cyber security platform. Since 2020 I have been working on in the SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation and Response) practice. My main mission is delivering automation capabilities to their cybersecurity platform.

Role

UX Design, End-to-End Design Process, Design Workshops, User Research

Letter27

  • Typography Blog
  • 2020 – 2024
  • Creator

Letter 27 was typography blog that I ran between 2020 – 2024. The blog's purpose was to showcase ampersands (forgotten 27th letter of the alphabet) that I am particularity fond of.

Role

UX Design, Branding, Accessibility, CSS, Mobile, Wordpress Integration

Case studies

iManage

  • Document Management
  • 2016 – 2020
  • Senior UX Designer

iManage are an industry leader in document management and security software for law firms, corporate legal departments, and other professional services. I worked within the Governance & Security practice, leading the UX of the Security Policy Manager, and Records Manager products.

Role

UX Design, Accessibility, Prototyping, CSS, Mobile, Email Strategy, User Research

Sherlayer

  • Document Management
  • 2014 – 2016
  • Digital Designer & Front-End Engineer

Sherlayer is a document management, collaboration platform for the construction and engineering sectors. Their focus is on building a mobile-first BIM (Building Information Modelling) application.

Role

Creative Lead, UX Design, Art Direction, Prototyping, CSS, Mobile

Case studies

Mammoth

  • Brand Agency
  • 2013 – 2014
  • Digital Designer & Front-End Engineer

Mammoth are an Belfast based brand consultancy. I worked on the digital side of the agency, helping bring our customer's brands alive in their digital form.

Role

UI Design, Front-End Development, Email Strategy

Case studies

Rehab

  • Brand Agency
  • 2011 – 2012
  • Front-End Engineer

Rehab (formally +rehabstudio) are a digital design agency. During my time here I got to work with exciting brands, like Google, Red Bull and Subaru.

Role

Front-End Development

Case studies

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Colophon

Typography

The main body of the site is set in Inter, designed by Rasmus Andersson. Headings are set in Merriweather, designed by Sorkin Type.

Tools & technology

Built on Jekyll using HTML, SCSS & Liquid.

Accessibility

This website aims to be WCAG 2.1 AA compliant.

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