Hello World

I'm Stephanie, a Principal Product Designer with a track record of turning complex, ambiguous problems into strategic solutions that move the needle for both users and businesses. Over the past few years at Discount Tire, I've founded and led a cross-functional design team, driven measurable revenue impact through research-backed experimentation, and helped shape what it looks like to bring AI into a design practice thoughtfully and responsibly. I'm naturally drawn to patterns, the "why" behind user behavior, and the connective tissue between good design and real business outcomes.

My background spans UX design, human factors research, design strategy, and front-end development. At the heart of all of it is a love for storytelling and human-centered problem solving. My creativity extends beyond my work on screens. I’m also a painter and videographer, and those experiences have shaped the way I think about visual communication, composition, and creating experiences that feel both intuitive and emotionally resonant.

No matter the project, I bring curiosity, collaboration, and a people-first mindset. I believe the best design solutions are the ones that not only meet business goals, but also make products feel more useful, accessible, and genuinely enjoyable to use.

On AI and Design

One of the areas I've invested in most heavily over the past couple of years is figuring out how AI actually changes the way we design, not just in theory but in practice. I use Claude to accelerate market research and competitive benchmarking at the start of every project, which saves me roughly 12 hours of work before I've even opened Figma. In early discovery, I lean into Figma's generative features to go from zero to a detailed, multi-flow prototype in hours rather than weeks — work that used to take 80+ hours now happens in a single focused session.

Beyond my own workflow, I've designed AI-powered features for ecommerce and I think a lot about what good AI design actually looks like from a user perspective: when to surface it, when to stay out of the way, and how to build trust with people who aren't sure they trust it yet. It's some of the most interesting design work I've done.

Touching Grass—or Water?

A lot of my drive and discipline comes from swimming. I’ve been in the water my entire life, from summer league and collegiate swimming to competing today as a masters swimmer with multiple Arizona state records and Top 10 World Times. Swimming taught me the value of consistency, resilience, and showing up even when things get hard. That mindset carries directly into my design work. I care deeply about doing great work, continuing to grow, and pushing beyond “good enough”.

I’m currently based in Gilbert, Arizona, though I’ll always consider myself a Colorado girl at heart. Outside of work, I share my active lifestyle with an energetic Australian Shepherd who makes sure I stay moving outside the pool. I love traveling and discovering great food with my husband.

If you're looking for a designer who brings analytical rigor, creative thinking, genuine care for users, and a strong work ethic, let's talk.