Raymond Ayers
UX Designer
UX Designer
Fueled by a passion for crafting intuitive and user-centered experiences, I transitioned from the world of opera to UX design, where my background continues to inform my ability to communicate effectively, understand people, and tell compelling stories through design.
Lifelong learner isn't just a phrase for me; it's a driving force. I'm constantly refining my processes and seeking optimal solutions through research and reflection. This isn't just about self-improvement, it's about empowering users by addressing their frustrations and uncovering hidden needs.
This dedication to continuous learning extends beyond my own practice. I believe in giving back to the design community by mentoring aspiring UX professionals at ADPlist and CareerFoundry.
Outside of design, I find balance through spending time with family, traveling, hitting the gym, and tackling renovations on my pre-WWI house (the design challenges never stop!).
As a Nielsen Norman Group UX Master Certified professional, I bring a strong foundation to every project.
From Stage to digital age: A Unique Perspective on UX Design
As a retired opera singer with a career spanning theaters across the U.S. and Europe, I have developed a unique perspective that has been invaluable in my work as UX designer. My extensive experience performing complex roles and communicating with diverse audiences has honed my skills in empathy, storytelling, and user-centered design.
My time on the opera stage has fostered a deep understanding of human psychology. The ability to delve into complex characters and understand their motivations has provided me with invaluable insights into user behavior and expectations. This empathy and understanding are essential for creating truly user-centered experiences.
My background in the performing arts has sharpened my skills in storytelling and communication. The ability to convey complex ideas and emotions through music and performance has translated into a talent for crafting intuitive and engaging user interfaces.
My diverse background, combined with my technical expertise in UX design, positions me as a well-rounded professional who delivers exceptional results. I am confident that my unique perspective offers a fresh approach to problem-solving and innovation in the world of user experience design.
From Stage to digital age: A Unique Perspective on UX Design
As a retired opera singer with a career spanning theaters across the U.S. and Europe, I have developed a unique perspective that has been invaluable in my work as UX designer. My extensive experience performing complex roles and communicating with diverse audiences has honed my skills in empathy, storytelling, and user-centered design.
My time on the opera stage has fostered a deep understanding of human psychology. The ability to delve into complex characters and understand their motivations has provided me with invaluable insights into user behavior and expectations. This empathy and understanding are essential for creating truly user-centered experiences.
My background in the performing arts has sharpened my skills in storytelling and communication. The ability to convey complex ideas and emotions through music and performance has translated into a talent for crafting intuitive and engaging user interfaces.
My diverse background, combined with my technical expertise in UX design, positions me as a well-rounded professional who delivers exceptional results. I am confident that my unique perspective offers a fresh approach to problem-solving and innovation in the world of user experience design.
From Stage to digital age: A Unique Perspective on UX Design
As a retired opera singer with a career spanning theaters across the U.S. and Europe, I have developed a unique perspective that has been invaluable in my work as UX designer. My extensive experience performing complex roles and communicating with diverse audiences has honed my skills in empathy, storytelling, and user-centered design.
My time on the opera stage has fostered a deep understanding of human psychology. The ability to delve into complex characters and understand their motivations has provided me with invaluable insights into user behavior and expectations. This empathy and understanding are essential for creating truly user-centered experiences.
My background in the performing arts has sharpened my skills in storytelling and communication. The ability to convey complex ideas and emotions through music and performance has translated into a talent for crafting intuitive and engaging user interfaces.
My diverse background, combined with my technical expertise in UX design, positions me as a well-rounded professional who delivers exceptional results. I am confident that my unique perspective offers a fresh approach to problem-solving and innovation in the world of user experience design.
UX READING list*
Always learning, always growing: Here are some of the books that continue to inspire and inform my approach to UX design.
*None of the links provided are affiliate links.
design fundamentals:
Universal Principles of Design (Lidwell, Holden, and Butler)
Explores a wide range of design principles, from usability to aesthetics.
The Design of Everyday Things (Norman)
Classic text that delves into the principles of good design and how to avoid common design pitfalls.
Non-Designers Design Book (Williams)
Helpful guide for anyone who wants to learn the basics of design and visual communication.
Laws of UX (Yablonski)
Explores the psychology behind user behavior and how to apply these principles to create effective and user-friendly designs.
Usability & User Interface Design:
Don't Make Me Think (Krug)
Classic guide to website usability, offering practical tips for creating clear and user-friendly experiences.
Designing Visual Interfaces (Mullet & Sano)
Delves into the principles of visual design and how to create aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interfaces.
Articulating Design Decisions (Greever)
Helps designers communicate their design decisions effectively to stakeholders and team members.
The Elements of User Experience (Garrett)
Outlines core competencies for user experience professionals.
User research:
Thinking Like a UX Researcher (Travis)
Provides a practical guide to the UX research process, from planning and conducting research to analyzing and communicating findings.
It's Our Research (Sharon)
Emphasizes the importance of collaboration between designers and researchers throughout the UX research process.
User Experience Team of One (Buley)
For UX-ers working without a dedicated research team, offering tips for conducting effective research on a limited budget.
100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People (Weinschenk)
Explores user psychology and provides insights into human behavior that can be applied to user research and design decisions.
Research Methods:
User Experience Research (Gage & Murrell)
Comprehensive guide to various UX research methodologies.
Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (Creswell)
Provides a framework for designing research studies.
Qualitative Research Methods (Merriam & Tisdell)
Focuses on qualitative research methods used in design research.
Just Enough Research (Hall)
Condenses user research methods into a practical guide for getting the right information to design effective solutions quickly.
A Designer's Research Manual (V & K O'Grady)
Comprehensive handbook that covers various research methodologies and best practices for user-centered design.
product design & development:
INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love (Cagan)
Outlines a human-centered approach to product development, emphasizing the importance of understanding user needs.
Sprint (Knapp)
Guide to conducting design sprints, a time-boxed process for rapidly prototyping and validating ideas.
Continuous Discovery Habits (Torres)
Emphasizes the importance of ongoing user research and discovery throughout the product development lifecycle.
The Lean Startup (Ries)
Introduces the lean startup methodology, which focuses on building, measuring, and learning to iterate and improve products quickly.
Start With Why (Sinek)
Emphasizes the importance of understanding your "why", which can guide business decisions.
Hooked (Eyal)
Explores the psychology of habit formation and how to design products that users will love to come back to.
information architecture & strategy:
Information Architecture for the Web and Beyond (Rosenfeld, Morville & Arango)
Foundational book that explores the principles of information architecture (IA) for organizing websites and digital products.
Good Strategy, Bad Strategy (Rumelt)
Differentiate between a strong, actionable strategy and a vague or misleading one, crucial for successful product development.
Business Model Generation (Osterwalder & Pigneur)
Framework for understanding and designing business models, valuable for creating sustainable UX solutions.
Value Proposition Design (Osterwalder, Pigneur & Bernarda)
Practical guide to crafting compelling value propositions that resonate with your target audience.
Measure What Matters (Doerr)
Explains a goal-setting system called OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to help individuals and organizations achieve ambitious goals.
UX READING list*
Always learning, always growing: Here are some of the books that continue to inspire and inform my approach to UX design.
*None of the links provided are affiliate links.
design fundamentals:
Universal Principles of Design (Lidwell, Holden, and Butler)
Explores a wide range of design principles, from usability to aesthetics.
The Design of Everyday Things (Norman)
Classic text that delves into the principles of good design and how to avoid common design pitfalls.
Non-Designers Design Book (Williams)
Helpful guide for anyone who wants to learn the basics of design and visual communication.
Laws of UX (Yablonski)
Explores the psychology behind user behavior and how to apply these principles to create effective and user-friendly designs.
Usability & User Interface Design:
Don't Make Me Think (Krug)
Classic guide to website usability, offering practical tips for creating clear and user-friendly experiences.
Designing Visual Interfaces (Mullet & Sano)
Delves into the principles of visual design and how to create aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interfaces.
Articulating Design Decisions (Greever)
Helps designers communicate their design decisions effectively to stakeholders and team members.
The Elements of User Experience (Garrett)
Outlines core competencies for user experience professionals.
User research:
Thinking Like a UX Researcher (Travis)
Provides a practical guide to the UX research process, from planning and conducting research to analyzing and communicating findings.
It's Our Research (Sharon)
Emphasizes the importance of collaboration between designers and researchers throughout the UX research process.
User Experience Team of One (Buley)
For UX-ers working without a dedicated research team, offering tips for conducting effective research on a limited budget.
100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People (Weinschenk)
Explores user psychology and provides insights into human behavior that can be applied to user research and design decisions.
Research Methods:
User Experience Research (Gage & Murrell)
Comprehensive guide to various UX research methodologies.
Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (Creswell)
Provides a framework for designing research studies.
Qualitative Research Methods (Merriam & Tisdell)
Focuses on qualitative research methods used in design research.
Just Enough Research (Hall)
Condenses user research methods into a practical guide for getting the right information to design effective solutions quickly.
A Designer's Research Manual (V & K O'Grady)
Comprehensive handbook that covers various research methodologies and best practices for user-centered design.
product design & development:
INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love (Cagan)
Outlines a human-centered approach to product development, emphasizing the importance of understanding user needs.
Sprint (Knapp)
Guide to conducting design sprints, a time-boxed process for rapidly prototyping and validating ideas.
Continuous Discovery Habits (Torres)
Emphasizes the importance of ongoing user research and discovery throughout the product development lifecycle.
The Lean Startup (Ries)
Introduces the lean startup methodology, which focuses on building, measuring, and learning to iterate and improve products quickly.
Start With Why (Sinek)
Emphasizes the importance of understanding your "why", which can guide business decisions.
Hooked (Eyal)
Explores the psychology of habit formation and how to design products that users will love to come back to.
information architecture & strategy:
Information Architecture for the Web and Beyond (Rosenfeld, Morville & Arango)
Foundational book that explores the principles of information architecture (IA) for organizing websites and digital products.
Good Strategy, Bad Strategy (Rumelt)
Differentiate between a strong, actionable strategy and a vague or misleading one, crucial for successful product development.
Business Model Generation (Osterwalder & Pigneur)
Framework for understanding and designing business models, valuable for creating sustainable UX solutions.
Value Proposition Design (Osterwalder, Pigneur & Bernarda)
Practical guide to crafting compelling value propositions that resonate with your target audience.
Measure What Matters (Doerr)
Explains a goal-setting system called OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to help individuals and organizations achieve ambitious goals.
UX READING list*
Always learning, always growing: Here are some of the books that continue to inspire and inform my approach to UX design.
*None of the links provided are affiliate links.
design fundamentals:
Universal Principles of Design (Lidwell, Holden, and Butler)
Explores a wide range of design principles, from usability to aesthetics.
The Design of Everyday Things (Norman)
Classic text that delves into the principles of good design and how to avoid common design pitfalls.
Non-Designers Design Book (Williams)
Helpful guide for anyone who wants to learn the basics of design and visual communication.
Laws of UX (Yablonski)
Explores the psychology behind user behavior and how to apply these principles to create effective and user-friendly designs.
Usability & User Interface Design:
Don't Make Me Think (Krug)
Classic guide to website usability, offering practical tips for creating clear and user-friendly experiences.
Designing Visual Interfaces (Mullet & Sano)
Delves into the principles of visual design and how to create aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interfaces.
Articulating Design Decisions (Greever)
Helps designers communicate their design decisions effectively to stakeholders and team members.
The Elements of User Experience (Garrett)
Outlines core competencies for user experience professionals.
User research:
Thinking Like a UX Researcher (Travis)
Provides a practical guide to the UX research process, from planning and conducting research to analyzing and communicating findings.
It's Our Research (Sharon)
Emphasizes the importance of collaboration between designers and researchers throughout the UX research process.
User Experience Team of One (Buley)
For UX-ers working without a dedicated research team, offering tips for conducting effective research on a limited budget.
100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People (Weinschenk)
Explores user psychology and provides insights into human behavior that can be applied to user research and design decisions.
Research Methods:
User Experience Research (Gage & Murrell)
Comprehensive guide to various UX research methodologies.
Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (Creswell)
Provides a framework for designing research studies.
Qualitative Research Methods (Merriam & Tisdell)
Focuses on qualitative research methods used in design research.
Just Enough Research (Hall)
Condenses user research methods into a practical guide for getting the right information to design effective solutions quickly.
A Designer's Research Manual (V & K O'Grady)
Comprehensive handbook that covers various research methodologies and best practices for user-centered design.
product design & development:
INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love (Cagan)
Outlines a human-centered approach to product development, emphasizing the importance of understanding user needs.
Sprint (Knapp)
Guide to conducting design sprints, a time-boxed process for rapidly prototyping and validating ideas.
Continuous Discovery Habits (Torres)
Emphasizes the importance of ongoing user research and discovery throughout the product development lifecycle.
The Lean Startup (Ries)
Introduces the lean startup methodology, which focuses on building, measuring, and learning to iterate and improve products quickly.
Start With Why (Sinek)
Emphasizes the importance of understanding your "why", which can guide business decisions.
Hooked (Eyal)
Explores the psychology of habit formation and how to design products that users will love to come back to.
information architecture & strategy:
Information Architecture for the Web and Beyond (Rosenfeld, Morville & Arango)
Foundational book that explores the principles of information architecture (IA) for organizing websites and digital products.
Good Strategy, Bad Strategy (Rumelt)
Differentiate between a strong, actionable strategy and a vague or misleading one, crucial for successful product development.
Business Model Generation (Osterwalder & Pigneur)
Framework for understanding and designing business models, valuable for creating sustainable UX solutions.
Value Proposition Design (Osterwalder, Pigneur & Bernarda)
Practical guide to crafting compelling value propositions that resonate with your target audience.
Measure What Matters (Doerr)
Explains a goal-setting system called OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to help individuals and organizations achieve ambitious goals.
MY UX PHILOSOPHY
Having a defined UX philosophy provides a strong foundation for my design approach. It ensures consistency across projects and allows me to make informed decisions that prioritize user needs and business goals.
User-Centered at the Core:
I believe that successful experiences are built on a foundation of understanding user needs, motivations, and pain points. Through rigorous user research and empathy, I strive to create intuitive and delightful interactions that empower users to achieve their goals.
Beyond Usability:
While usability is paramount, exceptional UX goes beyond functionality. This means considering the user's emotional journey throughout the interaction and designing interfaces that evoke positive feelings and a sense of accomplishment.
Collaboration is Key:
No designer exists in a vacuum. I strongly value collaboration and believe the best solutions come from diverse perspectives. I seek out feedback from stakeholders, developers, and of course, users, to ensure the final product is not only beautiful but also meets all its objectives.
Continuous Learning:
The design landscape is constantly evolving. I'm a firm believer in lifelong learning and staying in-step with the latest trends and research. This allows me to continuously refine my skills and approach user experience design with a fresh perspective.
MY UX PHILOSOPHY
Having a defined UX philosophy provides a strong foundation for my design approach. It ensures consistency across projects and allows me to make informed decisions that prioritize user needs and business goals.
User-Centered at the Core:
I believe that successful experiences are built on a foundation of understanding user needs, motivations, and pain points. Through rigorous user research and empathy, I strive to create intuitive and delightful interactions that empower users to achieve their goals.
Beyond Usability:
While usability is paramount,
exceptional UX goes beyond functionality. This means
considering the user's emotional journey throughout the interaction and designing interfaces that evoke positive feelings and a sense of accomplishment.
Collaboration is Key:
No designer exists in a vacuum. I strongly value collaboration and believe the best solutions come from diverse perspectives. I seek out feedback from stakeholders developers, and of course, users, to ensure the final product is not only beautiful but also meets all its objectives.
Continuous Learning:
The design landscape is constantly evolving. I'm a firm believer in lifelong learning and staying in-step with the latest trends and research. This allows me to continuously refine my skills and approach user experience design with a fresh perspective.
MY UX PHILOSOPHY
Having a defined UX philosophy provides a strong foundation for my design approach. It ensures consistency across projects and allows me to make informed decisions that prioritize user needs and business goals.
User-Centered at the Core:
I believe that successful experiences are built on a foundation of understanding user needs, motivations, and pain points. Through rigorous user research and empathy, I strive to create intuitive and delightful interactions that empower users to achieve their goals.
Beyond Usability:
While usability is paramount, exceptional UX goes beyond functionality. This means considering the user's emotional journey throughout the interaction and designing interfaces that evoke positive feelings and a sense of accomplishment.
Collaboration is Key:
No designer exists in a vacuum. I strongly value collaboration and believe the best solutions come from diverse perspectives. I seek out feedback from stakeholders, developers, and of course, users, to ensure the final product is not only beautiful but also meets all its objectives.
Continuous Learning:
The design landscape is constantly evolving. I'm a firm believer in lifelong learning and staying in-step with the latest trends and research. This allows me to continuously refine my skills and approach user experience design with a fresh perspective.
MY PROCESS
I believe in a flexible design process, cultivating close collaboration with stakeholders to translate project needs into exceptional experiences.
Collaborative Discovery
I work closely with stakeholders, gathering data through interviews, competitive audits and analytics to understand goals, users, and the landscape.
Deep User Insights
Depending on needs, research dives deep with generative or evaluative methods to uncover user needs and behaviors, ensuring shipped products truly resonate.
Conception & iteration
Through sitemaps, user flows, and low-fidelity to mid-fidelity mockups, together we collaboratively map out and refine solutions. I thrive on feedback!
UI Design & Prototyping
Leveraging brand identities and design systems, I craft user-centered interfaces that bring stakeholder visions to life. Interactive prototypes enable early feedback and iteration.
User testing Validation
Real user testing is crucial. I gather feedback on design and functionality to iterate and refine the design before final delivery.
Handover & Support
The work doesn't stop there! I provide comprehensive documentation and ongoing support throughout development and beyond.
MY PROCESS
I believe in a flexible design process, cultivating close collaboration with stakeholders to translate project needs into exceptional experiences.
Collaborative Discovery
I work closely with stakeholders, gathering data through interviews, competitive audits and analytics to understand goals, users, and the landscape.
Deep User Insights
Depending on needs, research dives deep with generative or evaluative methods to uncover user needs and behaviors, ensuring shipped products truly resonate.
Conception & iteration
Through sitemaps, user flows, and low-fidelity to mid-fidelity mockups, together we collaboratively map out and refine solutions. I thrive on feedback!
UI Design & Prototyping
Leveraging brand identities and design systems, I craft user-centered interfaces that bring stakeholder visions to life. Interactive prototypes enable early feedback and iteration.
User testing Validation
Real user testing is crucial. I gather feedback on design and functionality to iterate and refine the design before final delivery.
Handover & Support
The work doesn't stop there! I provide comprehensive documentation and ongoing support throughout development and beyond.
MY PROCESS
I believe in a flexible design process, cultivating close collaboration with stakeholders to translate project needs into exceptional experiences.
Collaborative Discovery
I work closely with stakeholders, gathering data through interviews, competitive audits and analytics to understand goals, users, and the landscape.
Deep User Insights
Depending on needs, research dives deep with generative or evaluative methods to uncover user needs and behaviors, ensuring shipped products truly resonate.
Conception & iteration
Through sitemaps, user flows, and low-fidelity to mid-fidelity mockups, together we collaboratively map out and refine solutions. I thrive on feedback!
UI Design & Prototyping
Leveraging brand identities and design systems, I craft user-centered interfaces that bring stakeholder visions to life. Interactive prototypes enable early feedback and iteration.
User testing Validation
Real user testing is crucial. I gather feedback on design and functionality to iterate and refine the design before final delivery.
Handover & Support
The work doesn't stop there! I provide comprehensive documentation and ongoing support throughout development and beyond.
Beyond Design : Giving Back
I believe a strong design community thrives on collaboration and knowledge sharing. That's why I'm passionate about giving back by dedicating my time and expertise to mentor and guide aspiring UX professionals.
UX Mentor
I'm passionate about fostering the next generation of UX talent, connecting with individuals seeking to enter the UX field or advance their careers. Through one-on-one mentorship, I provide guidance on building strong portfolios, mastering interview techniques, and navigating the ever-evolving UX career landscape.
UX TUTOR
In my role as a UX tutor at CareerFoundry, I play a part in empowering students to excel. I support them throughout their program, identifying individual strengths and areas for development. Through personalized feedback on coursework, submissions, and portfolio development, I help guide their work to align with industry best practices.
Beyond Design : Giving Back
I believe a strong design community thrives on collaboration and knowledge sharing. That's why I'm passionate about giving back by dedicating my time and expertise to mentor and guide aspiring UX professionals.
UX Mentor
I'm passionate about fostering the next generation of UX talent, connecting with individuals seeking to enter the UX field or advance their careers. Through one-on-one mentorship, I provide guidance on building strong portfolios, mastering interview techniques, and navigating the ever-evolving UX career landscape.
UX TUTOR
In my role as a UX tutor at CareerFoundry, I play a part in empowering students to excel. I support them throughout their program, identifying individual strengths and areas for development. Through personalized feedback on coursework, submissions, and portfolio development, I help guide their work to align with industry best practices.
Beyond Design : Giving Back
I believe a strong design community thrives on collaboration and knowledge sharing. That's why I'm passionate about giving back by dedicating my time and expertise to mentor and guide aspiring UX professionals.
UX Mentor
I'm passionate about fostering the next generation of UX talent, connecting with individuals seeking to enter the UX field or advance their careers. Through one-on-one mentorship, I provide guidance on building strong portfolios, mastering interview techniques, and navigating the ever-evolving UX career landscape.
UX TUTOR
In my role as a UX tutor at CareerFoundry, I play a part in empowering students to excel. I support them throughout their program, identifying individual strengths and areas for development. Through personalized feedback on coursework, submissions, and portfolio development, I help guide their work to align with industry best practices.
©2025 Raymond Ayers. All Rights Reserved.
©2025 Raymond Ayers. All Rights Reserved.
©2025 Raymond Ayers. All Rights Reserved.