About me
Hi, I’m Taylor.
I’m a user-focused thinker with a background in experimental design and data-driven decision making.
UX Researcher
Bison - Remote/Austin, TX
Identified what the consumers need from the business’s products by conducting primary research, exploring consumer behavior and motivation, analyzing data gathered from the product, and working across teams to develop products that users value
05/22 – 04/23
• Designed and conducted both qualitative and quantitative research across a variety of methods and tools, including rapid experimentation, prototyping, usability testing, on-site visits, journey mapping, card sorting, etc.
• Analyzed and evangelize research findings to diverse audiences through written reports and oral presentations compiled into consumable training courses by Dovetail
• Prioritized research efforts on topics based on roadmaps and stakeholder input by participating in defining team/product objectives and contributing to design decisions with research-based evidence
• Implemented and led a quarterly heuristic analysis of three separate B2B application experiences, both online and mobile using Google Lighthouse as a benchmark
• Engaged current users in contextual inquiries during on-site visits at disposal sites and wells and remote interviews using UserZoom and UserTesting
• Completed internal research projects from kick-off call to stakeholder presentation in an end-to-end process to promote user research findings with cross-functional partners to drive positive impact
• Analyzed collected data to extract insights about user behaviors, translating insights into actionable recommendations for the product team.
UX Researcher
The Zebra - Austin, TX
Supported the product squad’s designs initiatives to improve SEO’s share of voice
11/21 – 05/22
• Responsible for designing and executing practical and strategic research, from strategic to tactical and everywhere in between
• Used a variety of methods within the research process beginning with defining objectives, hypothesizing outcomes, outlining methods, conducting research, synthesizing findings and finally ideating solutions
• Collaborated closely with product managers, designers, engineers as an embedded member of the product development team.
• Shared compiled findings with stakeholders and leaders regularly via presentation decks, and created a smarter, more informed and more empathetic culture among The Zebra’s product teams
• Remained current on best practice research techniques, and looks for opportunities to incorporate into the work of the product research team
Apprentice UX Researcher
UX Rescue - MacDonald Training Center, Inc. - Austin, TX (Remote)
MacDonald Training Center, Inc. (MTC) wanted to build a website that will increase enrollment to their post-secondary training programs for individuals with disabilities, including those on the Autism spectrum. The research goal is to understand the best way to deliver the essential information to MTC's beneficiaries and their caretakers on the website.
09/21 – 11/21
• Designed, recruited / scheduled and moderate usability studies and user interviews
• Regularly formulated and appropriately tested hypotheses against data and customer feedback
• Worked closely with other researchers and data analysts to integrate qualitative research methods with quantitative research
• Created test strategies based on project KPIs and develop usability test plans, scripts and scenarios
Assistant Researcher
AI Pooser LLC - Austin, TX (Remote)
09/21 – 11/21
• Proactively identified and prioritized qualitative and quantitative UX research that answered key product strategy questions along the user journey across web experiences
• Developed a well-crafted research plan, wrote user research screeners, and discussion guides, and led recruitment efforts
• Proactively showcased and embedded user insights through presentations to cross-functional teams as well as contributions to product strategy conversations and documents
Agile UX Researcher Apprentice
Tech Fleet - Baltimore (Remote)
Pro-bono audited client’s current web presence and created a redesign of their current website
04/21/2021 - 06/21/2021
• Collaboratively participated in pro bono, client-facing product strategy & design for the conservatory.
• Worked with team leads to build and standardize project management and design ops processes using Agile, Lean UX, and Google Design Sprint methodologies.
• Used research techniques (heuristic reviews, user interviews, remote unmoderated and in-person testing) to determine ease-of-use and comprehension of designs and ideas
• Worked with the UX research lead to build and run experiments for a variety of methods, including but not limited to:
-Interviews
-Ethnography
-Prototype tests
-Market/competitor research
-Audience demographics research
• Delivered research deliverable findings in a timely manner, and communicated effectively to the team with a compelling, influential story and identifying key opportunities that helped inform website design decisions
• Worked with the Rawlings stakeholder to refine the vision of the product based on user needs and UX best practices
Social Design Research Student
Austin Center for Design
10/20 - 01/21
From October 2020 to January 2021, AC4D’s remote studio in design research matches novice and intermediate learners with expert coaches to hone their ability to empathize with the human experience and communicate insights that inspire action. Learners complete a 12-week design research project under the guidance their coach, and using ac4d resources (videos, decks, blogs, example deliverables, etc).
During our 12 work research project, we identified a significant gap between BIPOC small business owners in Austin, Texas compared to the rest of Texas’ major cities. Through a series of one hour interviews over Zoom and a collection of emotional artifacts, we identified from 16 BIPOC participants that a lack of emotional support forces small business owners to self-isolate and “go it alone.” Read more in my portfolio section.
SEO Qualitative Researcher
The Zebra
12/20 - Present
Develops a content strategy to promote The Zebra as data-driven insurance expert
● Ideates, creates and maintains quantitative, research-focused content with goals of a.) obtaining and improving organic search visibility and b.) passively building high-quality links
● Supports the editorial director and SEO director in ensuring all Resources and Newsroom content is search-friendly, optimizing internal linking and on-page copy with long-term KPIs of improving organic sessions and share of voice
● Managing expectations for teams of cross-functional stakeholders, helping to keep our editorial calendar current and usable for social, editorial and communications team members
SEO Outreach Strategist
The Zebra
1/20 - 12/20
Positioned The Zebra as the expert on auto and home content via blogger outreach
● Managed simultaneous writing projects with non-SEO team members for the purpose of encouraging external backlinks
● Wrote and designed eye-catching but engaging email campaigns for bloggers and media outlets
● Improved authority/trustworthiness of website by building a more product-focused backlink profile
Content Marketing Associate
The Zebra
5/17 - 1/20
Assisted the SEO strategy via content creation to generate links & social signals
● Executed content ideas and provide copywriting for dynamic content
● Conducted influencer research and outreach to amplify content
● Built at least 20 backlinks with 500+ page views a month