Design Research

I discovered design research as an undergrad and realized I’m fascinated by human stories. Over my career, I’ve learned that insights are only half the story, the real magic is turning them into action.

My process

The art of questioning is central to my work as a human-centered researcher. At Milwaukee Tool, I lead the design research function on projects, guide Product Managers in conducting research, and mentor junior researchers in developing strong, thoughtful approaches. As a Senior Design Researcher, my role includes:

  • Scoping complex research initiatives.

  • Planning, conducting, and analyzing primary research.

  • Building foundational understanding of users.

  • Identifying opportunities for both disruptive and incremental innovation.

  • Defining core user needs.

  • Facilitating sessions that translate insights into clear, actionable direction for cross-functional stakeholders.

My design research journey in numbers

2 Fluent Languages
8 years
10 States
12 Cities
1000+ end-users

A Case Study:
PACKOUT ™ Rack

Milwaukee Tool wanted to explore opportunities in the transit space, so we began with a broad, fuzzy front-end research effort. Through in-depth study of trade professionals who work out of vans, we identified a clear point of entry, which led to the development of the PACKOUT rack.

  • Led design research on a cross-functional concept team.

  • Navigated early-stage ambiguity through human-centered research.

  • Identified key opportunities for innovation.

  • Delivered clear insights that helped teams quickly develop the right market-ready solution.

Milwaukee Tool

Year
2021 - 2024