10 UXDers, 10 questions, 10 weeks
Meet the team: 10 UXDers, 10 questions, 10 weeks
Unlock UX and open source knowledge from industry experts in this interview series.
Welcome to 10 UXDers, 10 questions, 10 weeks, your ticket to UX and open source knowledge from industry experts across the Red Hat User Experience Design (UXD) and PatternFly teams. We connected with 10 team contributors (UXDers) across design, development, and research to uncover more about who they are and what they do.
Over the next 10 weeks, we’ll share UXDer insights for 10 different questions. Without further ado, let’s meet the crew!
Wes: Research Operations Coordinator
My name is: Wes.
My job title is: Research Operations Coordinator (formerly UX Researcher).
Before working in UX, I studied: Human Factors & Ergonomics, and Psychology.
My biggest inspiration is: For UX research and research operations, Roy Olende.
My favorite quote is: “Speak softly and carry a big stick. You will go far.” It’s a West African proverb, sometimes associated with Teddy Roosevelt.
My favorite quote related to research operations: “Having research ops frees up researchers to focus on where they can be uniquely effective. It allows researchers to do their job efficiently and effectively.”
Something people don’t know about me is: I’m an Eagle Scout.
Something that recently inspired me is: John Prine is a favorite musician of mine and I feel a small connection to his life and songs. The songs vary from funny nonsense to statement-making, and some sad stories, too. Keeping a positive and humorous attitude throughout his life is something I also try to do in my own.
A UX-related book I think everyone should read is: Old-school, but “Set Phasers on Stun” by Steven Michael Casey is always good from my perspective. It is probably somewhat of a throwback to my Human Factors training, but UX people of all varieties can get something out of it.
A non-UX book I think everyone should read is: “Make Time” by John Zeratsky and Jake Knapp. It’s all about being mindful of how you spend your time, being present for things, and sort of about the user experience of your life. Also, “Everything Bad is Good for You” by Steven Johnson. It’s been many years since I read it, but it’s fun and makes you feel a little better about your media consumption.
Beau: Principal UX Designer
My name is: Beau
My job title is: Principal UX Designer.
Before working in UX, I studied: Computer Science, Advertising, and Telecommunications.
My biggest inspiration is: My kids because in teaching them I have to revisit what I know.
My favorite quote is: “Perfect is the enemy of good.”
Something people don’t know about me is: My first major in college was Fashion Design. So I’m good with a sewing machine.
Something that recently inspired me is: Watching my chicken as she tends a clutch of eggs. One day recently, she just started doing this and has been for several weeks non stop. No one showed her how. Nature and instinct in animals is amazing.
A UX-related book I think everyone should read is: Donald Norman’s “The Design of Everyday Things” got me hooked.
A non-UX book I think everyone should read is: I learned a lot from Kevin Kelley’s “New Rules for the New Economy.”
Roxanne: Associate Manager, User Experience Design
My name is: Roxanne.
My job title is: Associate Manager, User Experience Design (UXD).
Before working in UX, I studied: Graphic Design (AS), New Media Design (BFA), Print Technology (MS).
My biggest inspiration is: Interacting with other people because their energy brings me energy.
My favorite quote is: “Brevity is the soul of wit.”
Something people don’t know about me is: I’m not sure! I’m an open book.
Something that recently inspired me is: CAROL ORZEL exhibit at the Mutter Museum.
A UX-related book I think everyone should read is: I’m not particularly academic. I find examples of UX throughout my daily life.
A non-UX book I think everyone should read is: “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.
Alan: Senior Director, User Experience Design
My name is: Alan.
My job title is: Senior Director, User Experience Design (UXD).
Before working in UX, I studied: Economics (BS), Rhetoric and Composition (MA), Applied Linguistics (PhD).
My biggest inspiration is: My mentor for my PhD, Jean Berko Gleason, because she is an amazing educator and researcher and yet is humble.
My favorite quote is: “The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day of your whole life. And the most important thing is — it must be something you cannot possibly do!” — Henry Moore (Sculptor)
Something people don’t know about me is: I’ve published research in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Something that recently inspired me is: Jean Berko Gleason’s work.
A UX-related book I think everyone should read is: Donald Norman’s “The Design of Everyday Things.”
A non-UX book I think everyone should read is: Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried.”
Matt: Principal Interaction Designer
My name is: Matt.
My job title is: Principal Interaction Designer.
Before working in UX, I studied: Electrical Engineering (BS) and Technology Strategy and Policy (MA). During my graduate work I became interested in how people and technology interact, leading me to this profession.
My biggest inspiration is: I’m inspired by the arts. I believe that great art and music cut to the core of human experience and seek to find deeper meaning.
My favorite quote is: This is a statement by Jon Kolko, a designer, entrepreneur, and educator. He states, “Interaction design is the creation of a dialogue between a person and a product, system, or service. This dialogue is both physical and emotional in nature, and is manifested in form, function, and technology.” I believe that, as designers, if we think in those terms a lot of things about good human-computer interaction start to make sense.
Something people don’t know about me is: Almost 20 years ago, I founded an arts non-profit named Somerville Open Studios that gives artists in Somerville, Massachusetts an opportunity to show and sell their work through an annual city-wide event.
Something that recently inspired me is: I recently watched a documentary on the making of Marvin Gaye’s 1971 album “What’s Going On?”. It is such a masterpiece and so relevant to what’s happening today.
A UX-related book I think everyone should read is: Donald Norman’s “The Design of Everyday Things.”
A non-UX book I think everyone should read is: I recently finished a book by Isabel Wilkerson called “The Warmth of Other Suns.” It’s fascinating, heartbreaking, and ever so important for all Americans to read.
Joe: UX Developer
My name is: Joe.
My job title is: UX Developer.
Before working in UX, I studied: MS in Computer Science.
My biggest inspiration is: My dad who was also an engineer (electrical).
My favorite quote is: “Delight in the little things.” — Rudyard Kipling
Something people don’t know about me is: If my coffee isn’t brewed to my liking, I’ll throw it out, reorder at another shop, and repeat until I’m satisfied. Most times in a row this happened: 3.
Something that recently inspired me is: Dolly Parton funding the Moderna vaccine.
A UX-related book I think everyone should read is: Don Norman’s “The Design of Everyday Things.”
A non-UX book I think everyone should read is: I’m currently reading the Parker Posey Memoir, “You’re on an Airplane.”
Shiri: Senior User Experience Designer
My name is: Shiri.
My job title is: Senior User Experience Designer.
Before working in UX, I studied: Instructional Technology.
My biggest inspiration is: My biggest inspiration is music because it can change the way you feel or think in a heartbeat.
My favorite quote is: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” — Maya Angelou
Something people don’t know about me is: I have traveled to over 30 countries so far. I love to travel the world and meet new people and explore new places.
Something that recently inspired me is: A music concert by Marina Maximilian. Nothing inspires me more than music, especially from such a unique singer and performer!
A UX-related book I think everyone should read is: “Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug. (Call me old fashioned, but this classic book is still one of the bests!)
A non-UX book I think everyone should read is: “The Upside of Irrationality” by Dan Ariely.
Connect with Shiri on LinkedIn
Marie: Interaction Designer
My name is: Marie.
My job title is: Interaction Designer.
Before working in UX, I studied: Systems Engineering.
My biggest inspiration is: Good or weird music because it boosts my creativity.
My favorite quote is: “Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that’s why it is so complicated.”
Something people don’t know about me is: I love guinea pigs but I don’t have any.
Something that recently inspired me is: Lyrics in Olivia Rodrigo’s “SOUR” album.
A UX-related book I think everyone should read is: It’s a cliche, but “Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug.
A non-UX book I think everyone should read is: “The Cremator” by Ladislav Fuks, but I don’t think that it’s for everyone, haha.
Allie: Senior Interaction Designer
My name is: Allie.
My job title is: Senior Interaction Designer.
Before working in UX, I studied: Anthropology and Electrical Engineering, then Human Factors Psychology.
My biggest inspiration is: Helping people. My first few UX projects were creating assistive technologies. If I can design something that makes someone’s life a tiny bit easier, then I’m doing my job right.
My favorite quote is: “Some of our greatest treasures we keep in museums. Others we take for walks.”
Something people don’t know about me is: I was a certified postal worker in college.
A UX-related book I think everyone should read is: “The Second Self” by Sherry Turkle.
A non-UX book I think everyone should read is: “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides.
Margot: Interaction Designer
My name is: Margot.
My job title is: Interaction Designer.
Before working in UX, I studied: BSBA with a concentration in Marketing and Management Information Systems and MA in Emerging Media Studies.
My biggest inspiration is: My dad because of his work ethic and drive.
My favorite quote is: “Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.”
Something people don’t know about me is: I spent most of my childhood living in Asia!
Something that recently inspired me is: A book, “Never Split the Difference” by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz.
A non-UX book I think everyone should read is: “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini or “Subliminal” by Leonard Mlodinow.
With introductions complete, our Q&A series can take flight. Stay tuned each week as we share expertise from these friendly faces.
Explore the series:
- Week 0: Meet the team
- Week 1: UX origin stories
- Week 2: Wish they knew
- Week 3: Creating a standout UX portfolio
- Week 4: Rituals for creativity
- Week 5:Work-life balance
- Week 6: Productivity tools
- Week 7: The future of UX
- Week 8: Learning from failure
- Week 9: Defining success
- Week 10: Working with open source
Have a story of your own? Write with us! Our community thrives on diverse voices — let’s hear yours.
