Sterling Reeves
Design Agency
Project:
Wag Watch
Role:
UX/UI design intern
Duration:
Jan - Apr 2023
- The Beginning of 2023 -
During the beginning of this year, I worked as a UX design intern at Sterling Reeves, Inc. Due to confidentiality concerns, I could not showcase my work in full here, but I want to document what I learned working on a real product with industry designers and stakeholders.
- What I Did -
Designed the homepage and worked on services for a competitor of Rover and Wag Hotels.
After being introduced to the current customer journey of the client, I spotted the pain points in both the reservation and booking processes, and decided to take on the job of leading the design for the current homepage.
Initiate and Lead Design Sessions.
In order to keep the users engaged and transfer the user from page to page on the website, I identified information architecture and hierarchy as the key to designing a good working system for the homepage. I also needed to understand how the customers approached the booking process, so I initiated a design session to discuss the information architecture of the products and services.
Opening application and viewing services provided.
Choosing between those services and how they are displayed.
Booking an appointment and reserving a stay.
Research and Dev
I was lucky to participate in a lot of the research and developing of a solution for the booking and services pages. I saw first hand how our own biases could influenced design decisions and how they could lead to usability issues. I also took part in the research analysis amongst competitors and the interview process during the testing phase. Using the data gathered from resulted in a successful re-design of the services and navigation mechanism.
Participate in Daily Agile/Scrum Meeting
I took part in daily scrum meeting with fellow designers, developers, and the PM. It was in those meetings that I pitched my ideas to the team and made sure my design was interpreted and understood well by the developers.
- What I Learned -
The Road to UX
One of the most enjoyable parts of my internship was the weekly chats with my manager and team members. Everyone shared their journey and experiences in their earlier years and how it lead to where they are today in the industry.
The Importance of an Open Line of Communication
Ecommerce was a brand new domain for me, and all those design constraints and compliances seemed overwhelming. I could not get onboard so quickly without communicating with my team members. In an environment where no one would slow down, I had to catch up by asking.
Creativity Comes from an Open Mind
I have always enjoyed inter-disciplinary collaboration, and the internship was full of that. Many times my design was inspired by unintentional comments from developers, marketing professionals, and other stakeholders. I did not sit in my own seat and cover my ears. Instead, I leanred to open up my mind and embraced inspirations from everyone around me.
I highly recommend Keith Brooks for any future endeavors in UI/UX design. He impressed us as a valuable member of our team during the Sterling Reeves Spring 2023 internship program, showing deep understanding of user-centered design principles, delivering high-quality designs, and displaying excellent collaboration and communication skills. Keith Brooks consistently met project deadlines, took ownership of tasks, and demonstrated adaptability and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges. I have no doubt he will continue to excel and make a significant impact in the field of UI/UX design.
Overall, Keith Brooks was a standout Jr. UI/UX Designer at Sterling Reeves, contributing to the success of our projects with his positive attitude, collaborative approach, and dedication to excellence. I highly recommend Keith Brooks for any UI/UX design role.
- Maya Carroll
VP of Product Design
Sterling Reeves Agency