The long version of that very confusing soundbite is that my professional life began as a creative jack of all trades.

I graduated with a degree in New Media and a focus in digital illustration. Once I realized that “cartoonist” wasn’t the most viable career option, I parlayed that skillset into being a sort of graphic design generalist.

During my various graphic designer stints, I tried on a bunch of different hats looking for a specialty that I felt comfortable settling down with. As much as I loved illustration or animation or web design, none felt like something I wanted to go all in on. I really liked doing a little of a lot of different things.

Eventually, I found myself on a project designing a touch screen interface. That project was essentially a Product Design bootcamp, and showed me a cool new discipline where I could use all the little skills I picked up throughout my career.

Product Design, at least my experience with it, was the perfect place for someone who knew a little about a lot of things. I could speak Art Director, Developer, Product Manager, and distill all of that into something a client would understand.

Currently, I’m still doing a lot of little things. I’m Senior UX Manager at Woodruff, an ad agency in Kansas City. I’m also on the board of UXPA-KC where I try to help other eager little generalists like myself find their way in the world of UX.

Oh also, I still keep a foot in the world of illustration too.

A short list of some of the things I do day to day are: wire framing // prototyping // information architecture // user research // web design // interface design // illustration // visual design // strategy

Some select dates of importance in my professional life: