Combining User Insights with Creativity and Innovation
Education
- DePaul University | Chicago, IL (Expected 2023)
- Candidate, Master of Science in Human Computer Interaction, 4.00 CGPA
- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Bachelor of Fine and Applied Arts in Graphic Design, Dean's List.
Work Experience
- DePaul Innovation Development Lab (iD Lab) | Chicago, IL
2021-Present
- UX Researcher + Designer
Performs UX research activities to gain insights into clients’ products, markets, and customer base for increasing engagement and improving the user experience. Creates user-centered designs by synthesizing research, developing prototypes, testing, and communicating concepts to stakeholders.
Client Projects Include:
- Abbott: Co-led UX track for digital health innovation project that uses AI/ML.
- Kimberly-Clark: Created innovative concepts and conducted research to increase customer engagement. Concept idea was selected by marketing leadership for the next stage of development and consumer testing.
- Pinwrk Start-up: Conducted user experience, research and design activities including devising surveys, interviewing user groups, storyboarding, sketching, creating user flows, personas, wireframes, hi-fi mobile prototypes, and design system elements for the iD Lab’s Accelerator AI-driven initiative.
- RJW Logistics: Performed heuristic evaluations and revamped data visualizations for a suite of business dashboards, improving customers’ ability to quickly model scenarios and gain insight into their supply chain. Result: increased customer base.
DePaul University | Chicago, IL
2020-2021
Student Grader, College of Computing and Digital Media
Grades assignments for graduate-level coursework in the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) program. Presents feedback to improve student success.
City of Evanston | Evanston, IL
2008-2009
Web Developer & Administrator
Provided web administration and support by maintaining content and functionality for the City's municipal website serving over 70,000 residents. Supported 30+ City Departments and Divisions for site improvements.
Allstate Insurance Company | Northbrook, IL
2002-2008
User Experience Architect
Provided visual design coordination, support, and management for the most significant technology and process-focused initiatives undertaken by Allstate. Designs were used daily by 10,000+ claim handlers, agents, and employees increasing productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Leadership
- DePaul Experience Design (XD) Roundtable Student Group
2020-2021
- Past President
In collaboration with the Executive Board, I helped to organize, plan, and host monthly events including a mentorship program, interview prep, portfolio reviews, whiteboarding workshop, and book talks all during a global pandemic.
Honors & Awards
- Baxter + Matter 2022 University Hackathon
- Top 10 Finalist, Team DePaul iD Lab
To advance home dialysis for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients and clinic operations.
DePaul University's Honor Society of Upsilon Pi Epsilon
Honors Nominee by Invitation-Only
Honor Society for the Computing & Information Disciplines
DePaul University's Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Chapter 272
Honors Nominee by Invitation-Only
All-Discipline Honor Society comprised of the Top 10 percent of Graduate Students and 7 percent of Undergraduates
How I Work
Understand
Make sense of and learn about the problem. Investigate what related work has been done before, and determine if the initially identified problem is really a problem.
Empathize
Gain deep understanding of the intended users' goals, motivations, and pain points.
Define
Analyze collected data and identify a user's need to address with the design solution.
Ideate
Diverge on a large quantity of possible ideas that could evolve into solutions.
Prototype
Develop some of the ideas into tangible objects.
Test
Evaluate finished objects with their users and collect input for improvement.
Cindy Aronson