I'm Dana.
My design process is like dancing. The importance of empathy when choreographing performances for diverse audiences is something I always keep in mind. Similarly, in my work as a UX designer, I apply these principles to create intuitive and engaging digital experiences.
Just as dancers anticipate the audience's reactions and create their movements accordingly, UX designers must anticipate user needs to come up with seamless interactions. Whether I'm choreographing a dance piece or designing a user interface, my goal is to guide and engage the audience, helping them to feel empowered and immersed in the experience.
In UX design, attention to detail is a must. Every element, from the layout of a page to the look of a tiny “like” button, plays a crucial role in shaping the user experience. Similarly, in choreography, the placement of dancers on stage, the timing of ripples, cannons, unison movement, and the coordination with layers of the music all contribute to the overall impact of the performance.
Just as dancers synchronize their movements with the rhythm of the music, UXers align their designs with user expectations and behaviors.
Ultimately, whether I'm designing a dance piece or a user interface, my approach remains the same: I strive to create experiences that resonate with the audience on an emotional level, fostering a sense of connection and belonging. If you're passionate about inclusive design, seamless user experiences, or simply love to dance, I'd love to connect and explore how we can collaborate to create meaningful experiences together.
Why Cognitive Science?
Many wonder why I chose to study Cognitive Science. It is perceived as a path towards the medical field, which it very well can be, but I want to end up in the creative side of the tech industry. I chose CogSci because of its interdisciplinary nature. My coursework involved psychology, philosophy, computer science, and information studies. I have learned how to write clearer arguments, gather data using API's, and how the rise of Artificial Intelligence brings up many new ethical dilemmas. At the end of the day, Cognitive Science taught me how to use knowledge of human computation and decision-making in order to make better informed business and design decisions.
Experience
Present
User Experience Designer at Accenture
Artistic Director for Mint Dance Company
Fall 2021 - Winter 2022
Product Designer at Illoominus
Fall 2020 - Fall 2021
Design Lead at Cookie Jar
Graphic Designer at Amy Angell Marketing
UX Researcher/Designer, Undergraduate Research Assistant at UMSI
Summer 2020
Product Design Intern at Cookie Jar
UX Research/Design Intern at Workstorm
Summer 2019
Digital Design Intern at apheris AI
Leasing Specialist at Campus Apartments
Summer 2018
Legal Compliance Intern at Morae Global
Education
University of Michigan 2021
iXperience Digital Design 2019
LTHS 2017