Can you give us a bit of background on yourself? When did you join EY, where were you prior to joining, current role, etc.?
My current role is a Senior Experience Designer, I’m part of the EY Design Studio PDX. I joined in 2018 when EY acquired the digital design firm Citizen Inc. I was part of Citizen Inc for 2 years before the acquisition. I’ve been a professional designer just shy of a decade. Before Citizen, I worked at other design and advertising agencies — doing UX, graphic design, motion design, and even film work. I’ve worked with apparel, food and beverage brands all the way to health care and insurance companies.
Being an interaction designer, what’s your day-to-day process? Are you a “sit at a desk” 9 to 5 type person? What’s your ideal work environment? Loud? Quiet? Messy? Organized?
My day-to-day depends on the projects I am working on. I move around a lot. I usually have 2-3 projects going at a time. Those range from new business pitches, small discovery or research & strategy projects to large scale platforms and digital experience design. I could be executing the design or I could be leading a workstream and helping someone else get the work done. I love messy spaces. I like when things aren’t perfect. Sketchy doodles up on whiteboards, stacks of books, and redlined mockups scattered about. I don’t think the process of design work needs to be pretty. We shouldn’t be too precious. The PDX Studio space has positive energy, music playing, and dogs running around. Everybody that works in Studio office is incredible. They are very kind, smart, humble, hilarious, hard working, and incredibly talented. We have no slouches.
You’re out in Portland, correct? Can you drop a few names of places to eat or drink if we were to come visit?
I am not the best person to provide food recommendations, but I do know that Portland is incredibly friendly to all types of food situations. Visitors should check out our many great bars and food carts. Some restaurants places I really enjoy: Mediterranean Exploration Company, Breakside Brewery, Tienda Santa Cruz, Gravy and Noble Rot.
While we are on the topic of Portland, have you always lived in Portland? If not, what brought you there, how does it differ from where you grew up?
I’m a native Oregonian. I have lived in several cities in this beautiful state. I grew up in Portland and Gresham (a city slightly east of Portland). Portland has changed quite a bit since I was a kid. There never used to be traffic. (I feel like an old man shaking my fist when I tell people that.)
Any projects outside of work that you are working on at the moment? Also feel free to use this question to give a shout out to any pets!
I always have some personal projects that I’m working on. I think it’s crucial that every creative professional keeps exploring and making things for themselves.
Last question, you’re a contestant on “Naked and Afraid,” however, instead of tools you get to pick one album to bring with you to the island, what is it?
It’s odd you mention this, as I recently started watching this show. I’m gonna have to say, Kanye West’s “808 and heartbreak”. I had such an obsession with this album. I believe it is Kanye’s greatest and most influential album. It’s been with me during some of my most open, creative and happy times. It’s also been there for me in some particularly tough times.
