hello,
I’m a UX Design Manager.
I build teams, co-create systems, crazy strategy maps, and scalable frameworks. My best work is often invisible, it depends on others... and I'm fine with that.
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DesignOps
With over a decade of envisioning and implementing visions, goals, and growth, I thrive on creating operational environments of excellence so people can do their best work.
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Service Design
I capture and analyze complex end-to-end touchpoint journeys while taking into account the systems that try to deliver experiences, as well as accounting for the diversity and fallibility of humans looking to achieve goals on the web.
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UX Strategy
The future of UX is changing; we don't just deliver wireframes anymore. I ensure web experiences are intuitive, personal, and global. I help bring clarity and show paths forward using established – or, when needed – made-up methods.
Skills + Tools
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Discovery
Human-Centered Design
Workshop planning
Business needs development
Facilitation + co-creation
Journey Mapping + Service maps
Storytelling
Listening… -
Research
Interactive prototypes
Usability testing
Heuristic evaluations
Interviews + observational
Quant + Qual analysis + Insights
Research repos -
Design Strategy
User Experience Design
Content strategy
Information architecture
Wireframes
Product design
Responsive + mobile
Design systems + pattern management -
Web Optimization
Conversion optimization
A/B Testing
Globalization + Localization + Translation
SEO
Accessibility -
Implementation
Scrum master + CAPM
DesignOps
Team building + growth
Communication
ADKAR change management -
Measurement and Performance
Identifying KPIs
Metrics and benchmarking
Analytics + insights
Data visualization
On-going monitoring + tracking programs
What people say about me when I leave the room.
“In life, it’s rare to come across someone with as much passion and empathy as Alex, and it’s even rarer to have those qualities in a manager. Alex’s ability to look at the bigger picture - to see what others may not, I saw this unique quality play out in meetings, workshops, and 1:1s in so many ways, but most important for me was the way in which Alex used this skill to foster a team environment that emphasized open-mindedness, growth, and learning.”
Paige Singer / Product Designer @ The Bouqs
“Alex’s collaborative approach made the team feel we could overcome anything. His killer discipline makes his multifaceted role as a partner look easy. He’s is a highly cultured, intellectual, and resourceful leader who on a daily basis, wore the hats of militant project manager, chief design thinker, and calculated business developer.”
Adam John Cooper / Creative Director & Brand Strategist
“Alex Smailes is an outstanding UX designer with particular strengths in design thinking, interaction design, sketching, and prototyping. He is also a natural team leader, with an ability to inspire others to strive for shared goals while managing projects with a steady hand.”
Julian Scaff / Associate Professor at ArtCenter College of Design, Interaction Designer & Futurist