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 Click on the XD Community members below to read their stories.AnthonyDesign Leader Wendy User Researcher Lisa User Interface Designer Morris User Interface Designer Rachel User Researcher Anthony, Design LeaderHow did you get into the XD field?My first proper job was conducting health and safety inspections, researching the effects that people's behavior has on hazards. Later, I became a director in a start-up that designed high-tech social entertainment experiences for theme parks. Eventually, I found myself designing software. What do you do at Intuit?I lead a team that develops new concepts and experiences and promote a customer-driven innovation mindset at Intuit. I also spend time coaching teams on how to look at and solve problems in creative ways. Why do you like working at Intuit?There is an enthusiasm to do the right thing for users here, which is very unique. It's engrained in the culture, from the top to the bottom. The Intuit XD community is influential and always growing in impact. Wendy, User ResearcherHow did you get into the XD field?I'm a cognitive psychologist by training and was going to be a psychology professor. During my last year of grad school, a friend asked me to moderate a large-scale usability test. I'd never done one before, but found it really fun to see research applied to product development. After finishing my PhD, I joined a human factors group at a telecommunications company. I knew then that I had found my real passion. What do you do at Intuit?I conduct research across the company and I teach XD methods to Intuit employees. I study people to find ways to improve their experiences, and I teach others how to do the same. Why do you like working at Intuit?Intuit is one of the few places where XD professionals can really have a career path within the company. We have clear roles and development bands, and support for the training and experience that can allow you to grow your career. We have XD roles from Interns to Directors, and all are seen at the highest levels of the company as people who are critical to Intuit's success. Lisa, User Interface DesignerHow did you get into the XD field?I have always been a creative person with strong interests and practice in music and writing. I also have a problem-solving side to my nature, so design seemed like a natural fit for me. I found a field where I could blend my need to invent and be creative with my desire to understand and solve hard problems. What do you do at Intuit?The designs I work on address key questions like what is the role of QuickBooks? How can we make it easier? How can we improve the workflow? I also recently designed a new product called QuickBooks Simple Start. Why do you like working at Intuit?Intuit genuinely believes that helping our users not only makes good business sense, but it's just the right thing to do. There are so many people in our XD community with incredible backgrounds and are really smart, really good designers. I think it is a very strong community. Morris, User Interface DesignerHow did you get into the XD field?Originally, I wanted to be an accountant! But I found out I hated accounting. I discovered design in college and majored in visual communication. I was hired as a designer for the videos in TurboTax and eventually found myself designing software. What do you do at Intuit?I spend my days coming up with new ideas and create prototypes to test with actual users. Before I give my designs to the engineers, I like to get actual usability data to know whether the designs will be successful with users. Why do you like working at Intuit?Intuit is an amazing place to work. There is great energy and excitement of working with different people, all with the same goal: helping the user and making their experience better. The XD community makes a real difference. Rachel, User ResearcherHow did you get into the XD field?I started off with a degree in art history. That led to work on a couple of volunteer projects, including developing an art database for the San Diego Museum of Art and helping create a website for the San Diego User Experience SIG. What do you do at Intuit?I'm a research lead for Intuit's ProSeries products for professional tax preparers. I conduct site visits and lab-based usability tests with professional accountants. And I work with our design teams to make the new customer experience better and easier. Why do you like working at Intuit?Intuit is the best place to be a XD professional because you are really respected. I have the ability to be a leader in anything I do. If I want to take research in a new direction, they give me the leeway to do that and trust that I'm the expert. Intuit makes their employees' happiness a priority and there is so much opportunity to excel that I would not move to another company! |
