# About Me
With over eight years of industry experience, I’ve had the opportunity to work with several of the most respected marketing agencies in the country—places known for hiring top-tier talent and producing award-winning work. Throughout my career, I’ve helped create websites that have earned multiple **ADDY Awards**, combining creativity, technical skill, and a deep understanding of user experience.
## The Early Days
My love for web design and development started early—back in **2008**, when I first learned **HTML** and **CSS** to build custom layouts on **MySpace** and **Neopets**. Around the same time, I discovered **Adobe Flash**, which introduced me to **ActionScript**, allowing me to build interactive web experiences before JavaScript became the standard.
## Born to Create
I’ve always been a creator at heart. Since middle school, I immersed myself in every art class I could take—painting, ceramics, and drawing. In high school, a multimedia class sparked my curiosity further, teaching me **Fireworks**, **JavaScript**, and **Dreamweaver**, and opening the door to more advanced web development.
## Influences
Technology has always been part of my world. My dad, a computer engineer, built our family’s first computers, while my mom was an early internet trendsetter—active in gardening forums and running her own website. It felt only natural that I’d follow a similar path, blending creativity and tech from both sides of my upbringing.
## Philosophy
Whether I’m designing an intuitive interface, building a fully responsive website, or helping a brand tell its story online, my goal is always the same — to create something **thoughtful**, **functional**, and **beautifully crafted**.
## Education
I began my studies at **Eastern Washington University** in **Computer Science**, learning languages like **Java** and **Python**. While I loved the logic and problem-solving, I found myself missing the visual side of creation. So I transferred into **Visual Communication Design**, where I combined my passion for **branding, typography, photography, web development, and UX/UI**. I also minored in **Fine Arts**, focusing on ceramics and expressive drawing.
## UX/UI: The Perfect Blend
That’s when I discovered **UX/UI design**—the perfect marriage of my three favorite things: **design, web development, and psychology**.
## Where I Am Now
Since then, I’ve worked with **startups**, **in-house teams**, and **large-scale agencies**, each experience strengthening my technical foundation and creative intuition. Today, I’m pursuing my own path as a **freelance designer and developer**, drawn to the freedom, variety, and human connection that independent work brings.