Hello, I'm Mitch.

Hello, I'm Mitch.

I'm a Product Designer residing in Pittsburgh, PA.

I'm a Product Designer residing in Pittsburgh, PA.

I began my career fifteen years ago crafting websites, branding identities, and providing creative direction for both small and large clients alike. Since childhood my fascination with technology hasn't waned, leading me to inevitably design software interfaces and digital experiences. 

I began my career fifteen years ago crafting websites, branding identities, and providing creative direction for both small and large clients alike. Since childhood my fascination with technology hasn't waned, leading me to inevitably design software interfaces and digital experiences. 

Skills

Discovery Research

Identifying new insights, trends, and opportunities through a methodical investigation into a problem space is one of my favorite phases of a project. I utilize a mixed-method approach for gathering data from qualified participants to uncover the "why" behind user behavior, then create novel solutions to help us build the right thing.

User Interviews

Speaking with users to understand their motivations and behaviors often uncovers valuable insights within a problem space. I have experience both leading and collaborating with peers to develop specialized interview documentation tailored for an unbiased, semi-structured approach to interviewing participants.

Usability Testing

Watching users navigate through your interface can be exciting, challenging, and eye-opening all at once. I have led or participated in many usability tests which have either validated concepts or prompted us to rethink more effective strategies to better serve our intended audience.

Interface Design

I focus on designing interfaces that both delight users and align with business objectives. Whether an interface calls for a modular design system or a more unique, handcrafted set of UI elements, I'm committed to adhering to modern accessibility standards and employing a human-centered approach to deliver functional, developer-friendly, and user-focused interfaces.

Prototyping

Bringing a static interface to life through animation—crafting how elements move, interact, and convey status to users—can transform a dull user experience into a compelling one. I take pride in making prototypes that captivate stakeholders, validate concepts, and delight users in innovative and oft-charming ways.

Product Demos

Effectively communicating to stakeholders how a feature or product, at any stage of development, will benefit both the user and the business is crucial to a product’s success. I revel in crafting and presenting clear narratives that help audiences understand the reasons behind our decisions, the process we followed, and the value it brings to everyone.

Experience

Product Designer
at PPG Industries

Product Designer
at PPG Industries

Feb 2021 to Present

I conduct interviews and user testing to capture and then synthesize data, revealing key insights about our customers' experiences. I use that knowledge to design interfaces and influence processes–often by collaborating with developers and key stakeholders–to implement our ideas in the real world. I also provide support to our design systems team by submitting and enhancing new components.

I conduct interviews and user testing to capture and then synthesize data, revealing key insights about our customers' experiences. I use that knowledge to design interfaces and influence processes–often by collaborating with developers and key stakeholders–to implement our ideas in the real world. I also provide support to our design systems team by submitting and enhancing new components.

Lead UX/UI Designer
at involveMINT

Lead UX/UI Designer
at involveMINT

Jan 2020 - Aug 2020

I led a team of designers, developers, a researcher, and stakeholders in building involveMINT's first progressive web application (PWA) aimed at uplifting and empowering under-resourced communities through minting a local cryptocurrency.

I led a team of designers, developers, a researcher, and stakeholders in building involveMINT's first progressive web application (PWA) aimed at uplifting and empowering under-resourced communities through minting a local cryptocurrency.

Art Director
at NFM+Dymun

Art Director
at NFM+Dymun

Oct 2013 - Feb 2021

I designed creative campaigns, branding, advertising, and marketing for clients spanning a myriad of industries including healthcare, retail, energy, professional and collegiate sports, and more.

I designed creative campaigns, branding, advertising, and marketing for clients spanning a myriad of industries including healthcare, retail, energy, professional and collegiate sports, and more.

Graphic Designer
at iCarnegie

Graphic Designer
at iCarnegie

Jun 2012 to Oct 2013

A startup of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) where I collaborated with university staff and consultants to develop course programs and teaching methods. This curriculum was pitched to nation-states as a near turn-key solution for creating new universities in their respective countries.

A startup of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) where I collaborated with university staff and consultants to develop course programs and teaching methods. This curriculum was pitched to nation-states as a near turn-key solution for creating new universities in their respective countries.

Mitch Watts

Product Designer

Work

About

Work

About