I have been a storyteller since I was a kid. As I grew, I learned that stories weren’t only told with words; stories could be shared through motion, shape, and color. Stories like these are timeless. They transcend borders and barriers, and reach all people, regardless of age, class, and known language. Isn’t that wonderful?

As a creative professional, I tell my stories through the visual arts. From something as simple as a shimmer across an icon in UI design, to as complex as a character’s walk cycle, there are stories to be told, and I love to tell them.

What is Neurodesign?

Neurodesign is the practice of applying principles from neuroscience and psychology to visual and interactive design. It’s about designing in a way that aligns with how the human brain actually processes information.

As a Neurodesigner, the products I create are done so with purpose: I design for how people both think and see. This is most apparent in my work as a visual designer in education technology, as one needs to have an understanding of how the brain learns in order to design materials that support that learning.

It’s one thing to be a creator, but another thing entirely to be a collaborator. There is an art to working with a team, and it has been such a privilege of mine to work with some of the most amazing people across all kinds disciplines.

I have worked with curriculum designers and teachers, to product managers and leaders of startups, to engineers and game designers and — who could forget? — my fellow artists! And throughout all of this wonderful collaboration, I’ve picked up a thing or two hundred on communication, delegation, celebration, brainstorming, and problem solving.

Previous colleagues have called me kind, bubbly, enthusiastic, supportive, firm (but not stubborn), transparent, and well-prepared. I’m not too sure how accurate these descriptors are, but let’s chat and you can decide for yourself!

They say that good design is invisible. When I have direct reports, it’s my job to make sure that my fellow creators aren’t invisible. I seek out opportunities where I can spotlight their brilliance and highlight their strengths to anyone who should hear it.

I have a knack for picking up what others are strong in, and I delegate work their way that matches those strengths. When time allows for it, or when it is requested, I’ll help them to grow strengths in other skills, too. Growing is my favorite part about being an artist (and human!) and I encourage my team to seek out chances to do so.

I am an advocate for my team. I’ll fiercely protect their work/life balance while ensuring we meet the big demands of our clients. I am transparent on the resources my team needs to succeed, and I am not afraid of challenging expectations.

The products we’ve built as a result have been all the better for it!

Let’s be clear: I’m not a certified project manager. However, I do manage projects!

Using a little PM 101 I’ve picked up over the years working with the real deal, I have done the following:

• established pipelines and workflows

• introduced Kanban and SCRUM-lite methodologies to art team processes

• Tracked tasks from start to finish

• Made charts… so many charts… s-so many!