About Franka
Hi I’m Franka. At my core I’m a creative. That just means that I’m right-brain dominant. After you get to know me you’ll learn I’m also pretty left-brain.
I’m thinking you landed here because you want to learn more about me to see how we can work together, looking to hire me for a consulting role, or saw something I shared on my LinkedIn. Either way, it’s great to meet you.
My Background
I’m a senior UX Designer with extensive experience in designing interfaces for various industries from technology to insurance to oil and gas.
For most of my career, I’ve been part of diverse product teams responsible for researching, evaluating, and designing the interfaces for enterprise products. The goal of making digital experiences better for my clients.
Throughout my career in UX over the past 15+ years, I’ve become a better listener, writer, and more curious person. I lean into these skills a lot because they’ve made me who I am; a stickler for the details and someone who never compromises on delivering excellence.
But I’m so much more than just someone who loves launching products, I’ve spent a lot of time understanding marketing, business growth strategies, and content management. We live in a different world where it’s important to understand to get people to engage and stay engaged. Companies are competing for the eyes and ears of consumers who are more distracted than ever and who’s loyalty wanes with the next big thing.
Franka in 2013 doing research at one of the rigs in Texas.
My work across many different industries; including financial services, oil and gas, eCommerce, and Tech has given me a wide variety of perspectives.
I’ve done research in a classic usability lab, in a rig doghouse, and on a sailboat in the San Diego harbor.
I earned a B.A. in Sociology and then an M.A. in Counseling. I was planning on working in mental health but took a detour to work in the Tech field and somehow never looked back. My background in understanding people has served me well in my role as a researcher. I have the ability to connect easily with others and to make them feel comfortable. It has been very fulfilling work.
I’ve always been curious, enjoy meeting people, and love to write; so a career as a UX designer has been perfect for me. I’ve been able to merge these loves into my work for clients. I’ve been trained to think about problems in a very different way and to be tenacious in finding the answers.
I realize that the field is evolving and to meet the demands there are many avenues to becoming a UX designer these days. Some of these I love and for others, the jury is still out for me. I’m watching with interest whether they will create more thoughtful designers or an army of new UX designers who don’t have room to truly dig for innovative solutions.
What gets me most excited these days is learning more about the growing areas in my field such as Sustainable UX and Ethical UX also while being able to mentor and inspire the next generation of UXers just as much as they inspire me.
Quick Facts About Me
Myers-Briggs
ENFJ
ClifonStrengths
Input-Maximizer-Positivity-Intellection
Enneagram
Type 2 – “The Helper”
Stacks
I’m a hybrid. I love both research and design. If I had to pick one I would say I’m a better researcher than I am a designer.
I use a lot of storytelling in my work. I ask a lot of questions so I can learn the user’s story and then through the power of visuals I seek to tell that story and to build connection.
I love data. In my experience, I’ve learned that it can reveal things that I may miss in my interviews or through testing. I use it to help gain better insights into what is happening.
I learn and adapt quickly. I have always had the type of mind where when something interests me I dig into it quickly so I can feel competent and empowered to be my best.
I was born on the beautiful island of Trinidad and grew up on the island of St. Croix. That cultural perspective has a big influence on who I am and the work ethic that I have.
I thrive in environments where I can have both collaboration and autonomy.