JTdesigns | Creative Portfolio
Creative Experience
2025 - Present
Creative Technologist
jtdesigns is a portfolio for a creative technologist skilled in translating complex systems into intuitive, human-centered solutions through workflow analysis, interactive prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration. The unique vision that drives their work is to create accessible and engaging work that elevates all perspectives.
2023 - 2025
Program Implementation Fellow (AmeriCorps)
Through national service with Serve Colorado, Julia implemented and managed a digital platform supporting 350+ users, demonstrating a strong commitment to community impact and data-driven results. She analyzed user data to identify needs and design targeted intervention workflows that improved engagement and program effectiveness. Working across teams and stakeholders, coordinating timelines, resources, and communication to ensure the program ran smoothly and met its goals.
2021 - 2023
Biomaterials Researcher
As part of a biomaterials research team, I gained hands-on experience working in a lab environment, conducting user studies, prototyping concepts, and exploring new ideas through experimentation. The role strengthened my ability to approach problems with curiosity, iterate on solutions, and learn quickly from feedback. I also mentored five high school students in a lab-based setting, guiding them through research processes and fostering a collaborative learning environment. This experience reflects both my coachability and my ability to step into leadership roles while supporting others in developing new skills.
Education
2026-2028
Northwestern University | MS Information Design and Strategy
My Master of Science in Information Design and Strategy at Northwestern University is preparing me to design effective communication in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world. The interdisciplinary curriculum combines information design, content strategy, learning design, user research, and data visualization to help transform complex information into clear, engaging, and accessible experiences for diverse audiences.
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Through graduate coursework and applied projects, I am developing expertise in leveraging generative AI, digital communication technologies, and evidence-based design methods to improve how people learn, work, and interact with information. The program also emphasizes strategic thinking, ethical technology use, and collaboration across disciplines, equipping me to create innovative, human-centered solutions that bridge technology, communication, and learning.
2020-2023
Atlas Institute | B.S. Creative Technology and Design
My Bachelor of Science in Creative Technology and Design provided a multidisciplinary foundation in human-centered design, creative problem-solving, and emerging technologies. The program emphasized an iterative design process, teaching me to research, prototype, test, and refine solutions while becoming comfortable with experimentation and ambiguity. I developed technical skills in sound design, 3D modeling, digital fabrication, physical computing, front-end development (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript), and foundational programming in Python, learning to select and integrate the right technologies to create engaging digital and physical experiences.
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Beyond the classroom, I worked in the Living Matter Lab, collaborating on research exploring the intersection of biomaterials, the natural world, and human-computer interaction. This experience strengthened my ability to contribute in collaborative, research-driven environments while applying technical and creative thinking to complex design challenges. Complementing my degree, my Certificate in Engineering Ethics and Society reinforced the importance of designing technology responsibly by considering its broader social, ethical, and human impact.
2019-2020
University of Connecticut | Mechanical Engineering
Beginning my higher education journey in Mechanical Engineering provided a strong foundation in analytical thinking, engineering principles, and systematic problem-solving. As I progressed through the program, I developed procedural thinking and learned to approach complex challenges with precision, quantitative reasoning, and a structured design process. While I appreciated the technical rigor, I discovered that my greatest interest lay in the storytelling, creativity, and human-computer interaction aspects of engineering. The engineering mindset I developed continues to shape my work today, enabling me to balance technical problem-solving with creativity, user experience, and strategic design when developing interactive products and digital experiences.
Skills & Expertise
Human-Centered Design • Learning Experience Design (LXD) • Information Design • User Experience (UX) • Design Thinking • Digital Communication • Content Strategy • Instructional Design • User Research • Data Visualization • AI-Enhanced Content Development