Hi! I’m Maria. Nice to meet you.

Why User Experience

My favorite part about what I do is that I get to ask people questions, like a lot of questions, about things they enjoy. When I graduated with a degree in journalism, the profession I’ve found in user experience didn’t exactly exist. I’ve been able to adapt my interest in people and disseminating information into a career I love. I have a passion for helping grassroot efforts, small businesses and underrepresented communities with their digital projects.

Get to know more about me.

Portfolio Projects

  • Salesforce API: Design Integration with AEM
    Design a user-interface that allows users to search the Diversity Scholar’s Network by name, field, impact, or category focus.
  • Digital Scholarship: Anti-Racist Digital Research Initiative
    How do we create a digital archive to feature filmed oral histories to showcase the 104 Mexican American women who hold a doctorate in history and how Chicana historians transform the way we understand history?
  • Digital Scholarship: Digital Research Project
    How do we create a user-friendly research database for 11+ institutions with a diverse group of assets, audiences, and technical needs? 
  • Service Focused Website Redesign
    How might we provide important information to incoming and current students while still serving as a staff resource?
  • Persona for Dryt App User
    The Dyrt Dogs: Northwestern University Capstone Project
    There is an underserved need for pet-friendly resources in widely-used camping apps. This project explores a possible solution based on user research and user-centered design.
  • Post-it style white board of user stories
    Faculty Project
    This digital scholarship project identified a suitable combination of platforms to promote and house research data. Assist in conceptualization of information architecture and user experience.
  • University of Michigan Museum of Natural History Current Homepage
    Museum Website Redesign
    The museum wanted to focus on achieving a design that was easy to navigate to encourage exploration and find information, while staying within brand guidelines and supporting marketing efforts.
  • Technology Services Homepage
    Unit/Department Website Redesign
    The unit was merging an array of services into one website. The end-goal was a user-friendly website with common vocabulary and significant self-help options.