Degrees

2018-2019

Capella University

Master of Science (M.S.), Psychology

Developed a strong foundation in psychological principles with a focus on human behavior, cognition, and research methods, and their application to user experience and product design.

• Studied cognitive, social, and developmental psychology to better understand how people think, learn, and make decisions

• Gained knowledge of research methods and how to evaluate the scientific validity of studies and data

• Explored ethical considerations and multicultural perspectives in psychological research and practice

• Developed analytical skills to interpret research findings and apply insights to real-world scenarios

• Strengthened ability to communicate complex psychological concepts clearly and effectively

• Completed a 40-page capstone project exploring the relationship between psychology and UX design

• Earned degree while working full-time, demonstrating strong time management and self-directed learning skills

2010-2014

University of Wisconsin - Stout

Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Concentration of Interactive Media, Minor in Applied Photography

Developed a strong foundation in visual communication and interactive design, with a focus on creating user-centered digital experiences through thoughtful design and storytelling.

• Studied graphic design with a concentration in interactive media, focusing on digital product experiences and user-centered design

• Built a strong foundation in visual design principles including typography, layout, color theory, and hierarchy

• Designed interactive projects that emphasized usability, clarity, and effective communication

• Developed skills in digital storytelling and translating complex ideas into engaging visual experiences

• Gained experience in photography and visual composition through a minor in applied photography

• Learned to approach design problems with both creative exploration and structured problem-solving methods

• Collaborated on projects that required presenting and communicating design concepts clearly

Certifications

2021

UserZoom Core Certification

Gained foundational knowledge in usability testing and user research methods through structured coursework, with a focus on applying insights to improve digital product experiences.

• Studied usability testing methods including moderated and unmoderated studies, tree testing, card sorting, and surveys

• Learned how to select and structure research approaches based on project goals and user needs

• Explored techniques for facilitating sessions and gathering qualitative and quantitative feedback

• Practiced synthesizing insights to inform design decisions

• Developed foundational knowledge of applying research to improve usability, navigation, and information architecture

Skills

Individuals who work in UX wear many metaphorical hats. However, these are the skills Adrienne has worked hard to develop over a decade of being a professional UX designer.

Design and Consulting

Accessibility

• Code HTML and CSS for web applications to meet international W3C standards

• Design interfaces to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including older users

• Write a business case to present to management on why accessibility is important

• Advocate for accessibility by understanding real-life experiences of how accessibility is essential for some, and useful for all

• Manage accessibility in projects and in organizations

• Check web pages for basic accessibility issues and improving accessibility

UX Teams

Team Building

• Demonstrate a need to hire more resources using facts and data

• Determine what the organization needs for roles on the UX team

• Write job descriptions and skill requirements

• Review candidates for top choices to fill the role and conduct interviews

• Write documentation for team charters, best practices, and team knowledge base

• Develop team roadmap for sprint planning and work

• Create quarterly growth goals specifically tailored for team members and their goals

UI Design

Prototyping

• Establish a design system and build components to use across designs for consistency

• Add brand guidelines like colors and fonts to the design system

• Design accessible UIs in Adobe XD for 9 years

• Implement animation and hover states to capture detail for development

• Export HTML and CSS code for developers to utilize

UX Best Practices

Design Systems

• Optimize designs to include branding and accessibility

• Design and develop faster

• Share visions and goals with designers and stakeholders

• Consistency of design across projects and products

• Design and share the design system document across the organization

UX REsearch

Usability Testing

• Run moderated and unmoderated usability tests

• Write moderated testing scripts

• Build surveys, tree tests, card sorts, etc.

• Review results and prioritize usability issues found

• Present findings to stakeholders and developers

UX Design

Wireframing

• Focus for what goes on a web page and where it goes

• Leave out details for stakeholders to be able to visualize the foundation

• Balsamiq Mockups used to wireframe for 9 years

Coaching

Mentoring

• Build an internship program for seasonal design interns

• Develop a plan for weekly themes to discuss with the interns

• Give interns projects to produce real world design examples to include in their portfolio

• Host informational interviews for colleagues that may be interested in learning more about UX

UX Design

Information Architecture

• Use data like Google Analytics to determine the most clicked links

• Host tests like card sorts and tree tests to allow users to group like things together

• Conduct moderated/unmoderated usability tests to uncover usability errors