Hello, I'm Mitch.

Hello, I'm Mitch.

I'm a Product Designer residing in Pittsburgh, PA.

I'm a Product Designer residing in Pittsburgh, PA.

I began my career fifteen years ago crafting websites, branding identities, and providing creative direction for both small and large clients alike. Since childhood my fascination with technology hasn't waned, leading me to inevitably design software interfaces and digital experiences. 

I began my career fifteen years ago crafting websites, branding identities, and providing creative direction for both small and large clients alike. Since childhood my fascination with technology hasn't waned, leading me to inevitably design software interfaces and digital experiences. 

Skills

Discovery Research

Gaining insights, trends, and new opportunities through an integrated and continuous investigation of a problem space is one of my favorite phases of a project. I utilize a mixed-method approach for gathering data from qualified participants to uncover the "why" behind user behavior, then create novel solutions to help us build the right thing.

User Interviews

Speaking with users to understand their motivations and behaviors uncovers how a product or feature may provide value to them. I have experience in preparing unbiased discussion guides, documentation, and have facilitated interviews with users that spur new insights and strategy for product teams.

Usability Testing

Testing an interface with users can be exciting, sometimes challenging, and often eye-opening all at once. I have both led and participated in usability testing that has validated concepts and prompted us to rethink more effective ways to enhance experiences.

Interface Design

Whether an interface requires a modular design system or a more unique, handcrafted set of UI elements, I'm committed to both modern accessibility standards while practicing a human-centered approach to creating functional and developer-friendly digital interfaces.

Prototyping

Breathing life into a static interface by animating how elements move, interact, and convey status to users can transform a dull user experience into a compelling one. I enjoy crafting prototypes that captivate stakeholders, validate ideas, and delight users in oft-charming ways.

Product Demos

Communicating to stakeholders how a feature or product will benefit both users and the business is crucial to a product’s success. I revel in storytelling clear narratives that explain the "why" behind our decisions, the process we followed, and how it benefits everyone involved.

Experience

Product Designer
at PPG Industries

Product Designer
at PPG Industries

Feb 2021 to Present

I conduct interviews and user testing to capture and then synthesize data, revealing key insights about our customers' experiences. I use that knowledge to design interfaces and influence processes–often by collaborating with developers and key stakeholders–to implement our ideas in the real world. I also provide support to our design systems team by submitting and enhancing new components.

I conduct interviews and user testing to capture and then synthesize data, revealing key insights about our customers' experiences. I use that knowledge to design interfaces and influence processes–often by collaborating with developers and key stakeholders–to implement our ideas in the real world. I also provide support to our design systems team by submitting and enhancing new components.

Lead UX/UI Designer
at involveMINT

Lead UX/UI Designer
at involveMINT

Jan 2020 - Aug 2020

I led a team of designers, developers, a researcher, and stakeholders in building involveMINT's first progressive web application (PWA) aimed at uplifting and empowering under-resourced communities by rewarding volunteerism with a local cryptocurrency.

I led a team of designers, developers, a researcher, and stakeholders in building involveMINT's first progressive web application (PWA) aimed at uplifting and empowering under-resourced communities by rewarding volunteerism with a local cryptocurrency.

Art Director
at NFM+Dymun

Art Director
at NFM+Dymun

Oct 2013 - Feb 2021

I designed creative campaigns, branding, advertising, and marketing for clients spanning a myriad of industries including healthcare, retail, energy, professional and collegiate sports, and more.

I designed creative campaigns, branding, advertising, and marketing for clients spanning a myriad of industries including healthcare, retail, energy, professional and collegiate sports, and more.

Graphic Designer
at iCarnegie

Graphic Designer
at iCarnegie

Jun 2012 to Oct 2013

A startup of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) where I collaborated with university staff and consultants to develop course programs and teaching methods. This curriculum was pitched to nation-states as a near turn-key solution for creating new universities in their respective countries.

A startup of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) where I collaborated with university staff and consultants to develop course programs and teaching methods. This curriculum was pitched to nation-states as a near turn-key solution for creating new universities in their respective countries.

Mitch Watts

Product Designer

Work

About

Work

About