Curious and kind
Curiosity got me into design, and kindness keeps me here. Good work depends on how it lands, with the people using it and the team building it.
About Joe
I’m a designer in Seattle who makes clear, useful things. I believe good design should be equitable, inclusive and practical.
I’ve spent 20 years in design and front-end code. I started building websites for nonprofits, led a small web team, and now design debt and payment tools for Veterans on VA.gov. The thread through all of it: take something confusing and make it make sense for the person on the other end.
How I work
Simple first
I start with the simplest version that works, whether it’s a screen, a message or a pull request. We can add more once we know we need it.
Accessible from the start
I test with a screen reader and zoom while I design, not after. It’s easier than fixing it later, and it’s the right thing to do.
Hands-on, with care
I’ve always had a hand in building what I design. AI lets me do more of it, so I check every change and work with engineers, not around them.
How I got here
2023–now
Friends From The City · Staff Product Designer on VA.gov’s debt and payment tools, from research partnership and design to front-end code.
2015–2022
CRISTA Ministries · Senior UX Designer, then Director of Web Design and Development. Led a team of 4 across five web properties.
2009–2015
World Concern · Web designer, then Senior Product Designer. Led a rebrand and a responsive redesign.
2009
Microsoft · Designed an internal portal for the Dynamics CRM UX team.
B.A. in Graphic Design, Western Washington University · Professional Scrum Master (PSM I)
What I work with
Figma and Claude Design. HTML, CSS, Tailwind, JavaScript, React and GitHub. VoiceOver and axe for testing. Claude Code for issues, pull requests, code reviews and team skills.
What I’m learning
Product management, systems thinking, service design, UX strategy and research methods.
Outside of work
Two kiddos keep me busy. I fish, go squidding, and dial in pour-over coffee. Someday, I’ll watch the Sonics at Climate Pledge Arena.