Hi, I´m Inés. I’m a UX Researcher & Web Designer.
Ever since I started my Masters degree in Advertising & Public Relations back in 2004, I´ve been fascinated by how organisations and users interact with one another. Much of what I learnt in my degree gave me a really good scientific grounding in how to research users to know what they want; however, as my studies progressed I became much more interested in how users interact with products and services (their interactions, their behaviours and their perceptions), rather than the psychology behind encouraging sales.
I´ve always been a bit of a self-confessed geek, so after finishing University it felt like a natural career choice to work in Spain´s IT sector in web and graphic design. Working in a small enterprise, I grew the business by developing and teaching bespoke courses in the evolution of social networks, basic and advanced IT skills (everything from turning on a PC, up to Photoshop, or programming!). One of the most enjoyable aspects for me of teaching was observing how my students interacted with the print or Digital material in the courses and using that to refine them and improve their experience.
Since moving to the UK, I´ve continued to work as a UX designer and Web developer creating strong online experiences and visual identities for local firms. It´s very rewarding having such an impact on these organizations, although at times it has been challenging trying to explain the benefits of a very user-centric approach to small firms on a tight budget. That´s given me a lot of experience in selling the benefits of user-centric design and finding ways to get the maximum benefit for users from the smallest of budgets.
I learned a lot through these projects, not only how companies perceive their users but also the power of empathy and keeping an open mind when you are in front of users. It’s fascinating to see how much we can learn when we step back and listen to what people have to say about their day to day life.
My goal is to continue to develop these skills, put them into practice in a user-centric organization on a wider scale, learn from like-minded professionals in my sector and share what I am learning with others.