Hi, I'm Andrea!

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Hi, I'm Andrea! *

I’m a Chicago-based experience designer who’s curious about how people think, and passionate about turning complex problems into intuitive, meaningful experiences.

My career in UX design stems from a long‑standing interest in how people think and how technology can better support them. I love to sit at the intersection of psychology and creativity: understanding users deeply, asking the right questions, and translating complexity into clarity. I believe great experiences start with curiosity. Taking the time to understand user motivations, behaviors, and constraints allows teams to get to the root of real problems, not just the symptoms. Just as important, meaningful design doesn’t happen in isolation. Collaborating with people from different disciplines strengthens research, challenges assumptions, and ultimately leads to more impactful, inclusive, and efficient solutions.

Over the past five years, I’ve worked across IBM, the University of Michigan, and PNC Bank, where I’ve built a strong foundation in design thinking facilitation, qualitative research, and usability testing. At IBM, I partner with cross-functional teams of sellers and engineers to convert client business problems into actionable, AI-driven projects, securing over $3M in sales last year. We work with clients across industries, including retail, finance, insurance, and manufacturing, designing solutions within complex enterprise environments. At the University of Michigan, I spent over two and a half years researching and designing a social media content moderation tool, with a focus on trust, safety, and the nuanced needs of its users. I’m experienced in synthesizing insights into thoughtful, often AI‑driven solutions that improve user experiences while aligning with business goals. Alongside my design work, I also serve as a project manager, leading initiatives from discovery through delivery, aligning stakeholders, managing scope and timelines, and ensuring work progresses with clarity and purpose.

Outside of work, you’ll find me gathering inspiration on Pinterest, reading, or enjoying Lake Michigan with friends in Chicago, or up north with family in Traverse City.

  • I understand the business as deeply as the user.

    I’ve worked as a service designer within sales organizations, giving me a strong understanding of business impact and the ability to clearly communicate value to executives and stakeholders.

    I bring rigor and clarity to complex problems.

    I have deep experience in research, usability testing, journey mapping, and translating messy, ambiguous challenges into clear, actionable design decisions.

    I know how to design for AI responsibly.

    I’ve worked extensively on AI-driven projects, including designing AI assistants and automating business workflows, with hands-on experience in governance, orchestration, and human‑in‑the‑loop systems.

  • Yes! In my time at IBM, I’ve worked extensively on AI-driven projects, including designing AI assistants and automating business workflows, with hands-on experience in governance, orchestration, and human‑in‑the‑loop systems.

    I’ve also spent time exploring tools like Figma Make and Google Stitch to improve the efficiency of my design process.

  • I see myself in a leadership or management role, advocating for users and the value of design at a strategic level. I want to help shape environments where design is trusted early, research is seen as essential, and future designers can focus on doing their best work, without constantly having to justify its importance.