cooking...

To paint you a picture of who I am as a person:

I applied for my first real design job with zero Adobe experience. After my first and last interview, where the hiring manager learned this fun fact, she told me to let her know when I learn Adobe. So, I learned. And, I let her know. And, I loved that job. Sko Buffs.

That’s kind of how everything has gone since. I’ve always had a clear picture of where I want to be and a willingness to learn whatever I need to get one step closer. It’s how I ended up at Apple, designing systems for apps used by millions of people. It’s how I ended up teaching people how to get hired, after I took the process apart and realized most of it is just another skill to learn. And it’s why I’m taking fashion design courses and working towards my Pilates certification, because I believe you can learn anything if you’re willing to be bad at it first.

To paint you a picture of who I am as a designer:

I notice everything. And I think deeply. I think about the fact that I need my coat, a poop bag, and a leash every time I walk my dog — so they should live together — in the poop bag coat closet. I notice when a 10-step process feels like it could be 2 if someone took the time to sit back and think it through. And I’m the person who usually sits back and thinks it through.

My designer brain doesn’t really turn off. I’ve always been curious about pretty much everything, and it shapes how I work, move through the world, and show up for the people in my life. I take the craft seriously and myself lightly.

And aside from all of that, I go on a lot of audiobook walks and spend a lot of time in the kitchen, where I’m either cooking up a new fish dish or a new product idea. I write about that part over at kindlyrach.com.