Hi, my name is Karis and I'm an

Experience Designer

Process

My approach to design is a human-centered process. I use empathy to understand the people using the product or service and their most pressing needs. I conduct research and follow through with a strategy and a set of potential solutions. I prototype and test the solutions with users. I iterate to continually improve the experience and delight.

I believe in a flexible, iterative, design thinking process that addresses the unique considerations of the work to be done.

RESEARCh

interviews, contextual inquiry, personas, competitive analysis, insights

DEFINE

mapping, prioritization, information architecture, heuristic evaluation, strategy

BUILD

sketches, wireframes, mockups, prototypes

SHIP

usability testing, iteration, continuous improvement

Clients & Companies

I have been fortunate to work with leading edge companies both large and small in diverse industries from advertising and entertainment, to non-profit, e-commerce, and financial services. The journey has culminated in 18+ years experience creating compelling experiences, content, and marketing solutions. I'm not able to post everything here but have provided a few case studies to showcase my process and the type of challenges I've worked on. To see additional work or set up a time to chat, feel free to contact me.

Case Study:

A Trusted Advisor

Product Strategy & mobile design

A Trusted Advisor: product strategy & design

The challenge: Recent college grads need a way to increase their knowledge and confidence around saving and investing so that they can be empowered to make informed decisions and feel good about their financial future.

My role was to form a strategy around the customer need and the business goals, in order to provide value for the customer and initiate a long term relationship with the business. Includes analysis of existing services, customer research, new product proposal, and product design.

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat.001.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.002.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.003.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.004.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.005.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.006.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.007.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.008.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.009.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.010.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.011.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.012.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.013.jpeg

2trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.001.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.015.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.001.jpeg

trusted advisor_case study-standardformat_updated_12142021.017.jpeg

Case Study: Improve the Commute

Service Design

Improve the Commute: Service Experience Design

The challenge: improve the commuting experience for people on public transportation

My role was to explore, ideate, and propose a desirable, feasible, and viable way to improve the commuter experience in my area.

ideas to action - final project.001.jpeg

ideas to action - final project.002.jpeg

ideas to action - final project.003.jpeg

ideas to action - final project.005.jpeg

ideas to action - final project_jpg.006.jpeg

Who doesn't want a better commute?

Case Study: GoCal

iOS mobile app design

GoCal: iOS mobile app

The challenge: Busy families need a better way to manage time so they can spend less time planning and more time living.

My role was to design the product end to end including research, strategy, structural documentation, testing, and visual design.

For the single task based interactive prototype click here.

VUI

Designing for Voice

Voice User Interface

I am interested designing for all experiences and keeping up with leading edge trends. I recently participated in a workshop from Amazon to learn about best practices in VUI. I designed and published an Alexa skill and had some fun along the way.

Case Study: Noggin

"Recently Played" feature design

Noggin mobile app "recently played" feature

The challenge: Preschoolers love to watch the same content repeatedly. They need a way to easily access their recently viewed content.

My role was to provide a inventory, rationale, and proposed design for a new feature.

Case Study: Yahoo Finance

Redesign home page with features for novice investor

Yahoo Finance for Novice Investors

Challenge: Redesign the Yahoo Finance Home Page to include features for the novice investor. Create an initial design for the home page and outline areas of concern.

My role was to provide a human centered analysis, strategy, and design with features appealing to novice investors.

Storyboards

visual narratives

Storyboards

I use storyboards and vignettes as visual representations to guide and plan narratives and journeys. Sketching and photography are my weapons of choice.

TV ordering-storyboard 2017-9.jpeg — UX storyboarding

Quick sketching with good old sharpies

music video

Slightly more attention to form and timing

Branding

Logo, Identity, Collateral

Branding

A few examples of branding and visual designs across a broad spectrum of clients including corporations, individual creatives, and small organizations with big ideas.

blog logo & masthead: freshletter.com

logo & identity: Magna Global Entertainment

logo re-design: restaurant

brand identity design: artisan