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bio.

skills & tools:

 

Core Design Skills:

  • User Experience (UX) Design

  • User Interface (UI) Design

  • Visual Design

  • Information Architecture

  • Wireframing & Prototyping

  • User Research & Testing

  • Usability Testing

  • Design Systems Development

  • Responsive & Mobile-First Design

  • Accessibility Design 

  • Micro-interactions & Animation Design

  • CAD

 

Research & Strategy:

  • User Research Methodologies 

  • Persona Development

  • Journey Mapping & User Flows

  • Competitive Analysis

  • A/B Testing & Data Analysis

  • Heuristic Evaluation

  • Card Sorting & Tree Testing

  • Design Thinking

  • Product Strategy

  • Stakeholder Management

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Primary Design Tools:

  • Figma

  • Sketch

  • Adobe XD

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, Animate, Premiere)

  • PowerPoint/Slides

 

Prototyping Tools:

  • Figma (prototyping features)

  • Adobe XD

  • Sketching

  • Paper wireframes

 

Collaboration & Handoff:​

  • Miro

  • FigJam

  • SharePoint

  • Excel/Sheets

 

Research & Testing:

  • UserTesting

 

Technical Skills:

  • Basic HTML/CSS understanding

  • Design system implementation

  • Design tokens

  • Component libraries

 

Process & Methodology:

  • Agile/Scrum

  • Design Sprints

  • Lean UX

  • Human-Centered Design

  • Design Thinking frameworks

  • Cross-functional collaboration

  • Design critiques facilitation

 

Soft Skills:

  • Leadership & Mentorship

  • Stakeholder Communication

  • Presentation & Storytelling

  • Problem-Solving

  • Strategic Thinking

  • Collaboration & Teamwork

  • Time Management

  • Conflict Resolution

  • Giving/Receiving Feedback

  • Business Acumen

 

Industry-Specific Knowledge:

  • Understanding of development constraints

  • Platform guidelines 

  • Industry trends and emerging technologies

  • Metrics and KPIs 

  • Product lifecycle management

 

No-Code & AI Tools:​

  • Webflow

  • Flutterflow

  • Claude

  • Mid-Journey

  • ChatGPT

  • Grok

  • Google Whisk

  • Canva

From designing toys at Mattel to leading digital design for national brands, my career has been about blending engineering, art, and intuition.

My journey spans industrial design, UX/UI, and education—each chapter deepening my understanding of innovation and human-centered design. Whether creating apps, shaping brand systems, or inspiring students to build the future, I’m driven by one question: How can we make it better? 

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As a teenager, I stumbled upon a documentary about Buckminster Fuller and Raymond Loewy. I decided right then I wanted to design and make things.    Early in my career, I embarked on a journey exploring diverse realms of design, each adding a unique layer to my expertise. It all began with my tenure at Mattel Toys, where I delved into the world of industrial design, learning to blend art and engineering. This experience laid the foundation for my future endeavors, instilling in me a passion for de-livering intuitive design excellence.

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As my career evolved, I ventured into freelance and contract work, taking on a myriad of projects that allowed me to showcase my creativity and problem-solving skills. One notable project involved collaborating with a World Renowned Photographer on a high-profile endeavor featuring rock legends like Paul McCartney and Roger Daltrey. My creative leadership in designing digital innovations, for music lovers like myself, exemplifies my ability to push boundaries and deliver outstanding results.

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During my tenure as a Digital Designer, I innovated the creative strategy for a publishing start-up, playing a crucial role in its growth and expansion. My expertise in design systems and brand identity establishment contributed to the company's continued success in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

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As a Design Director and UX/UI Designer, I led design teams for national clients such as Nathan's Famous, FatWire, Weight Watchers, and Friends Academy.  My innovative approach to web design, such as creating interactive historic timelines, unique animations and design systems, set new standards in the web design industry.

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As a Technology Education Teacher, I cultivated a passion for design among thousands of students, inspiring creativity across various tech domains from woodworking to robotics. Together, we fostered a culture of innovation, leaving a lasting impact on each other's creative lives. My dedication to introducing cutting-edge curriculum, including 3D printing, coding, web design and artificial intelligence, reflects my commitment to preparing the next generation for the digital age. Conversely, my students have inspired me to have a fresh approach to design.

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The return to my product design roots has been exciting and fulfilling. I have created an app for an existing B2C website, designed and created 2 original apps, and worked as a founding product designer with a start-up company for an innovative B2B Saas Platform. I am a life-long learner, learning every single day as the technology in our world changes almost minute by minute. I love to incorporate new digital tools and find ease in doing so. My goal is to create an award winning product within 3 years. I can't wait! 

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Throughout my journey, my passion for design has remained forward-thinking, fueled by my continuous pursuit of excellence and my growth mindset, always asking “How can we make it better?”  My awards for toy design and technology education, are a testament to my dedication and expertise. With a Bachelor of Industrial Design, Master of Arts in Technology & Society and Certification in UX Design, I continue to make waves in the journey of design.

recommendations

"Her ability to translate complex concepts into intuitive and visually appealing designs was truly remarkable. She is not only a talented designer but also a collaborative team player who effectively communicated ideas and worked seamlessly with cross-functional teams. I have no doubt that she will make a valuable contribution to any organization seeking to elevate its product design capabilities."        ~ Jen B., Graphic Designer, Wilen

"I highly recommend Maryann. In every aspect during our project together... she exhibited the highest professionalism, knowledge, and attention to her client. She is also trustworthy and honest. I'm sure she will exhibit all this and more in every project she undertakes."                                   ~ Tara M., Author

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