Amanda Howard

I don't just hit the ground running. I run metaphorical marathons. Visit amandahowardux.com - QUALITY DESIGN FOR THE SOUL - I’m a neurodiverse user experience advocate who is passionate about design that incorporates research and business strategy to create meaningful, memorable experiences for users. I have a deep understanding of sociology, growth & development, behavioral & cognitive psychology, linguistic acquisition, project management, and extensive expertise in design cycles and research for desired outcomes. - SAAS UX INNOVATION - As a UX designer for an executive talent search platform, I made experiences more intuitive and logical for customers, and simplified complex processes. I generated insights through research with sensitive users and turned those into actionable, shipped work that drove the products forward. Additionally, I evaluated and helped design a ground-up re-architecture of an entire enterprise app with multiple roles, flows, and client segments in enterprise, VC/PE, and executive search. - BRINGING UX TO PROJECT DIRECTION - As project director for a top market research company, I also drove the UX revision, testing, and implementation of RadiusLive, a proprietary web-based qualitative research platform. - UX DESIGN FOR GOOD - As sole UX designer of a medical AR gaming startup, I worked on a cross-functional, agile team to develop apps that encourage pediatric patients to ambulate while recovering from surgery. From user research and interviews, journey maps, information architecture, and affinity maps to wireframing and prototyping, I made sure user needs are considered in every aspect of the design process, including designing for spatial experiences in AR. As UX designer for a job placement service for neurodiverse and Autistic individuals, I worked cross-functionally and agile but within and outside larger teams that interact with each other, and I was able to make a large impact on the daily lives of candidates, employers, recruiters, and partners. - CONNECTING THE DOTS - From the big ideas to the tiny details, I see connections where others only see chaos. I value honesty, empathy, integrity, transparency, and ethics above all. I believe that working on our strengths yields the most change, and that our weaknesses come from the pitfalls of our strengths. Whether it’s a product, service, or tech tool that you seek to implement or improve, I will bring that cohesive force and energy to help you design and implement the best user experience possible.

Ideal Workplace Values

I value honesty, empathy, integrity, transparency, and ethics above all. I need employers to understand that when I question something, it's because I don't understand, not because I'm questioning someone's directives or choices; every boss I've had that understood that about me helped me flourish and grow! I believe that working on our strengths yields the most change, and that our weaknesses come from the pitfalls of our strengths. Because of this, I refer back often to my CliftonStrengths top 5: activator, input, strategic, individualization, and restorative. I'd love to tell you more about what those mean to me as a person and in my work!