About

About Me

I’m Whitney — a Product Systems & Operations Designer focused on scalable internal platforms.

I design thoughtful digital experiences that make complexity feel clear, approachable, and human. Based in Charlotte, NC, I bring a sharp analytical lens to every project while staying grounded in storytelling, usability, and real-world impact.

At the core, I care about making people’s work easier. The best systems don’t just function well — they remove friction, reduce stress, and give teams room to think clearly.

Right now, I’m deep in the creative lab — exploring product systems, refining internal tools, and building platforms that reduce friction, surface insights, and actually support the people using them. I get energized by projects where design isn’t just how something looks, but how it works.

I’ve collaborated across industries including government, healthcare, fintech, beauty, wellness, and retail — and I’m especially excited about product teams that value curiosity, iteration, and long-term thinking.

Selected Operational Outcomes

Reduced permit processing time 32%
Contributed to county-wide portal launch serving X residents
Improved QA stability across multi-region workflows

Mecklenburg County Code Hero Award Recipient - 2025

Recognition for work that bridges people, systems, and real impact.

I was honored to receive this award for strategic collaboration and operational contributions during the launch of Mecklenburg County’s customer portal — bridging teams, systems, and user needs to support safer, more efficient community infrastructure.

Role: Product Designer (Platform Improvements)

Tools: Figma, Accela Customer Portal

Timeline: 2025

Education

My foundation is rooted in Advertising Art Direction, where I learned how to think conceptually, design with intention, and communicate ideas with clarity.

I earned my BFA from Columbia College Chicago, where I developed a deep appreciation for brand systems, visual storytelling, and strategic design thinking. That formal training shaped how I approach product work today — balancing creativity with structure, and vision with execution.

Since then, my education has been continuous. I actively sharpen my skills in product design, data analytics, emerging tools, and AI-assisted workflows, staying adaptable in a landscape that’s constantly evolving.

Career

My design journey began early — and it’s been hands-on ever since.

I’ve worked across creative, marketing, and operations-driven roles, giving me a rare advantage: I understand both how products are designed and how they’re actually used. From agency environments to internal product teams, I’ve collaborated with engineers, analysts, stakeholders, and leadership to improve systems, streamline processes, and elevate user experience.

In recent years, my focus has shifted deeper into product and workflow design — building internal platforms, dashboards, and tools that support high-volume, high-stakes operations. I’m especially drawn to projects where clarity, efficiency, and thoughtful UX can make a real difference.

I’m always evolving — experimenting with new tools, refining my process, and preparing for the next wave of product challenges.

My Approach

I design with intention, curiosity, and collaboration at the core.

My approach starts with understanding the problem beneath the problem — listening closely, mapping workflows, and identifying friction points before jumping into solutions. I believe strong products are built through alignment: between users, systems, and business goals.

I visualize ideas quickly, test thoughtfully, and iterate often. Whether I’m improving an internal tool, shaping a product feature, or refining an end-to-end experience, my goal is always the same:
make things clearer, smarter, and easier to use.

I thrive in environments where experimentation is encouraged and design is treated as a strategic partner.

Inspiration

Inspiration fuels my work — and I pull it from everywhere.

I’m inspired by great systems, elegant design, history, culture, and creative expression.

Outside of product work, I recharge through graphic design, writing, painting, reading, and music —

all of which influence how I think, observe, and create.

Curiosity is my constant. It keeps me learning, building, and imagining what’s next.