Hi, I'm Paula!
I enjoy working on complex problems to deliver the most intuitive, accessible, and data-driven solutions. I believe that design should be approached with a people-first, data-centric mindset, and that the best design goes unnoticed.
People are at the core of every decision that designers make, so their needs should be prioritized to create meaningful and impactful solutions. By combining empathy with a data-centric approach, I ensure that my design choices are not only user-centered but also backed by actionable insights, resulting in products that are both intuitive and effective.
I recently obtained my Masters in Human Computer Interaction at Carnegie Mellon University - the premiere institute for HCI. I also just recently wrapped up my contract as an Associate Product Designer at Health eCareers, working on various projects to support the Product Team. With 1.5 years of UX Design experience, I have worked in UX design and graphic/visual design for industries like healthcare media and information, health insurance, entertainment events, and other promotional purposes. I am now looking for a full-time role in which I can leverage these experiences!
When I am not designing, I am either weightlifting, cooking, or going on long walks with my dogs.
My interest in UX design/research began when I spoke to a UX designer friend who described the role as a combination of information organization, psychology, and arts skills, in order to make a tech product easy, accessible, and fun to use. Interested in learning more, I joined Design Buddies, an online community created to bring designers of all backgrounds and disciplines together. I was so intrigued by the different facets of design and how it combined my passions for learning about people's behaviors and empathizing with others, through coming up with tangible solutions with digital design. This encouraged me to join UXTerps, my university's organization of students interested in user experience research and design.
Empathy
Empathy is at the core of the design process and understanding the user's needs, behaviors, and experiences is essential for building a successful product.
Intentionality
Using data-backed research to support my design decisions and ensuring that each choice is made with a clear objective is a critical piece in creating a collaborative environment.
Simplicity
To reduce the amount of noise we experience on a daily basis, I strive to create designs that are straightforward and intuitive to navigate.
