"Everything is designed. Few things are designed well.
-Brian ReedÂ
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. When empathy meets creativity, wonderful designs ensue because getting people to think and feel demonstrates intentionality and is a significant feat in any creative process.
 Growing up, I have always had a particular interest in hobbies that required innovative thinking. However, as I became more involved in an internship role of working with digital tools and managing engagement through social media, apps, and websites, I noticed that developing digital services is a crucial part of everyday life and should be continuously refined for more effortless use. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has made human interaction unsafe, people increasingly rely on technology to complete their daily tasks. Everything from grocery delivery to arranging virtual medical appointments can be accomplished using an app or a website. Unfortunately, with this decline in the interaction between individuals, the human attribute of empathy can become neglected due to a company's desperation to push the sales of a digital product. By receiving a degree in Interactive Digital Media from Webster University, I plan to become a UX Designer, using the discipline to create digital experiences that are simple, effective, and meaningful. I want people to spend less time worrying about their tasks and more time discovering forthright digital solutions that meet their needs, solutions created with their concerns in mind.
My various volunteer and internship experiences have allowed me to learn from diverse groups of people and recognize the similarity of concerns within the average person, which is to be heard, understood, and cared for accordingly. Realizing these underlying factors has extensively played a role in my passion for pursuing the path of User Experience Design, a career that improves digital solutions for the everyday person. I believe the design process should be intentional, complimenting and eventually molding into one's livelihood. I seek to design digital experiences that positively affect people's lives, making them proud to interact with media and share their feelings with others. Now more than ever, a revival of natural emotions like empathy is needed within our society, and digital products should be created with no greater goal in mind.
