Exploring the Confluence of UX Design, AI, and Creative Storytelling: A Journey Through Diverse Lenses
The following is the unedited output from a single ChatGPT prompt:
“Write a blog post about everything you know.”
Introduction
In the constantly evolving world of technology and design, I’ve found my passion at the intersection of user experience (UX) design, artificial intelligence (AI), and creative storytelling. These three domains, though seemingly disparate, come together to form the backbone of my professional journey and personal interests. From founding Brady UX, a design agency, to experimenting with film and podcasting, my career has been a tapestry of diverse experiences, each contributing to my understanding of the digital and creative landscapes.
UX Design: Crafting Meaningful Interactions
At the heart of my career lies UX design. It’s more than just making things look good — it’s about creating seamless, intuitive, and empathetic experiences for users. This philosophy is central to the work we do at Brady UX, the design agency I co-founded. Our approach is encapsulated in what we call the DRAGON Process — a methodology designed to guide projects from discovery through to implementation.
Our mission at Brady UX is simple yet profound: to improve people’s lives through thoughtful, user-centered design. Whether it’s a comprehensive e-commerce site for a startup or a more personalized patient experience for a medical app, our focus remains on simplicity, efficiency, and empathy.
AI Integration: Bridging the Gap Between Data and Emotion
As technology evolves, so does our toolkit. My recent foray into AI has been driven by the need to enhance our design processes and deliver more nuanced, data-driven insights. The AI Essentials course by Google equipped me with skills in prompt engineering, large language models (LLMs), and generative AI, which have been instrumental in streamlining our design operations and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in UX design.
In one of our projects, we integrated AI to better understand and predict user behavior, creating a more tailored experience. This blend of AI with UX isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about enhancing the depth of our empathy, enabling us to understand user needs and emotions on a scale that was previously unimaginable.
Entrepreneurship: Building and Scaling Brady UX
Running Brady UX alongside my co-founder, Olya Androsik, has been an adventure in itself. As we continue to grow, the challenges and opportunities we face have shaped our approach to business. From offering pro bono services to engage with the community and drive social impact, to exploring new pricing models like retainers and project management services, we’re constantly adapting.
Networking plays a crucial role in our growth strategy. Engaging with local communities, like the EquiTech Tuesdays by UpSurge Baltimore, has opened doors to collaborations and new projects. Whether it’s working with a GenAI startup or exploring partnerships for e-commerce site development, these interactions fuel our pipeline and enrich our knowledge.
Creative Storytelling: From Film to Podcast
Beyond the digital and business worlds, my passion for storytelling finds its outlet in creative projects. A few years ago, I embarked on a unique filmmaking journey, creating a found-footage vampire film titled The Lift. This project, filmed in Baltimore, was a deep dive into narrative construction, blending reality and fiction in a compelling, immersive format. We later transformed it into a podcast series called The Grave Veil, reimagining the story as a true crime podcast that blurred the lines between reality and fantasy.
Storytelling is an essential part of how I communicate ideas — be it in design, business, or creative projects. It’s about creating a connection, engaging the audience, and leaving a lasting impression. This narrative-driven approach informs my design philosophy and how I interact with clients and collaborators.
Reflection and Future Directions
As I continue to navigate the intersections of UX design, AI, and storytelling, I am constantly learning and adapting. The journey is far from linear; it’s a dynamic process of growth, discovery, and innovation. Whether it’s exploring ethical AI practices, enhancing our design methodologies, or crafting narratives that resonate, the goal remains the same: to create meaningful, impactful experiences.
Looking ahead, I am excited about the possibilities. The integration of AI in UX is still in its infancy, and as we continue to develop our understanding, the potential to revolutionize how we design for and connect with users is immense. Similarly, as we expand Brady UX, the opportunity to bring our unique blend of design and storytelling to more projects is a thrilling prospect.
Conclusion
In the end, my journey is about bringing together diverse elements — technology, design, business, and creativity — into a cohesive whole. Each aspect informs the other, creating a rich tapestry that drives my work and passion. As I continue to explore these intersections, I look forward to the innovations and stories that lie ahead, and to sharing these insights with those who are equally passionate about making a difference.
