Ainsley is a human*-centered UX design practitioner.
Ainsley is smart, independent, and does best when she has a job to do. She's patient during training, and she takes feedback well.
Ainsley is good with people and does fine in busy environments, though she also enjoys quiet focused time with something to keep her busy for hours.
She is very well trained and can sit, stay, shake hands, and speak on command, and often even unprompted. Ainsley knows her name and comes when called. As far as walking, Ainsley can walk off leash without any worries (content to admire squirrels calmly and from a distance).
Ainsley is good around dogs, cats, and kids. She loves going for walks, hiking, and riding in the car. No food aggression, but fairly treat-motivated – Ainsley takes treats very seriously.
Ainsley is fully house-trained and hypoallergenic. She is currently in Southern California but can be relocated out of state. Her full history is available upon request.
Though the above description may read as uncannily dog-like, Ainsley is a human – so human, in fact, that some** say she puts the human in human-centered designer 😜
*
Okay, technically no one has said this yet
**
Work Experience
July 2024 – June 2026
Experienced UX Designer
Volvo Group | Greensboro, NC
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Lead designer on My Truck North America, a connected vehicle mobile app (iOS/Android)
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Led UX, UI, & design strategy for next-generation battery electric trucks
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Established organization’s first user persona framework, led primary and secondary resesarch, & drove cross-team adoption
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Led competitive research & benchmarking to inform product strategy
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Worked with Engineering, Brand, Sales, and Product Planning teams to plan, conduct, and analyze field research with customers & users
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One of three designers responsible for all physical & digital UX touchpoints on Volvo trucks
June 2022 – June 2024
Associate UX Designer
Volvo Group | Greensboro, NC
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Worked on cross-functional end-user function teams for in-vehicle displays; wireframes, prototypes, usability testing, asset delivery
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UX and UI design for safety-critical camera monitoring system (digital mirrors); lead designer for North American products from concept through implementation
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Led UX research and design for autonomous vehicle hardware controls, running comprehension testing studies to validate icon usability and legibility
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Owned design system and symbol standardization, ensuring regulatory compliance (ISO, FMVSS, CMVSS) and brand consistency
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Embedded UX researcher supporting teams with desk research, interviews, JTBD frameworks, & systems mapping for advanced engineering programs including zero-emission, next-gen refuse, electric bus/coach, and autonomous vehicle initiatives
May 2021 – August 2021
Designer Research, Internship
Volvo Group | Remote
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Conducted primary and secondary research: interviews, surveys, literature reviews
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Communicated findings via data visualizations, infographics, written reports, & slide decks
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Designed research & recruitment plans targeting participants from niche demographics
January 2021 – May 2021
Interaction Designer, Volunteer
San Francisco Veterans Affairs
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Delivered a redesign of the VA’s Clinical Teams Training protocol for medical professionals to increase engagement, improve retention, and reduce incidents of medical malpractice
Education
September 2018 – May 2022
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interaction Design
California College of the Arts
Graduated with a 4.18 GPA and with High Distinction awarded by faculty nomination. Received the merit-based Creative Achievement Award and All College Honors Interaction Design scholarships based on juried portfolio review. Held lead roles in student leadership and received the Rising Star Award. My senior project was selected for Deans' Choice honors in the 2022 exhibition.
May 2018
Graphic Production Certificate of Skills
Lompoc Unified School District
Completed a multi-year career technical education program in graphic design. Earned student of the year for the 2017-2018 school year. Competencies included: graphic design, color theory, desktop publishing and electronic imaging software, illustration and vector drawing, pre-press and printing procedures, screen printing, photographic applications, animation and motion graphics, integrated graphic multimedia technologies, and business principles.
June 2017
Graphic Communications II
Santa Barbara County Education Office
Completed a 360-hour advanced occupational training course in graphic design. Earned top marks in artistic ability, advanced typography, publication design, packaging design, logo design, graphic design, portfolio, pre-press, advanced book binding, general knowledge, and employee-related skills.
June 2016
Graphic Communications I
Santa Barbara County Education Office
Completed a 360-hour intermediate level occupational training course in graphic design. Earned top marks in artistic ability, advanced typography, publication design, packaging design, logo design, graphic design, portfolio, pre-press, advanced book binding, general knowledge, and employee-related skills.
Carry a candle in the dark, be a candle in the dark, know that you're a flame in the dark.