Hello, I'm Mitch.

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'm a Product Designer residing in Pittsburgh, PA.

I began my career over 15 years ago in logo and branding design before advancing to Art Direction. Then in 2019 I moved into product design, cutting my teeth by leading a development team from ideation to the launch of their first progressive web app. Shortly afterwards I turned full-time by joining PPG, where I've helped to shape design systems, help design their first eCommerce platform, conduct user research, and to foster seamless integration across a myriad of user experiences.

I began my career over 15 years ago in logo and branding design before advancing to Art Direction. Then in 2019 I moved into product design, cutting my teeth by leading a development team from ideation to the launch of their first progressive web app. Shortly afterwards I turned full-time by joining PPG, where I've helped to shape design systems, help design their first eCommerce platform, conduct user research, and to foster seamless integration across a myriad of user experiences.

I began my career over 15 years ago in logo and branding design before advancing to Art Direction. Then in 2019 I moved into product design, cutting my teeth by leading a development team from ideation to the launch of their first progressive web app. Shortly afterwards I turned full-time by joining PPG, where I've helped to shape design systems, help design their first eCommerce platform, conduct user research, and to foster seamless integration across a myriad of user experiences.

Skills

Discovery Research

Exploring insights, trends, and uncovering new opportunities through continuous investigation is one of my favorite project phases. I use a mixed-method approach to understand the “why” behind user behavior, enabling me to design innovative solutions and ensure we build the right thing.

User Interviews

Engaging with users to understand their motivations and behaviors helps uncover how a product or feature can provide value. I have experience creating unbiased discussion guides and facilitating interviews to reveal key insights for solving both user and business challenges.

Usability Testing

Observing users interacting with an interface is often eye-opening, sometimes challenging, and always insightful. I have led and participated in usability tests that validate concepts or prompt us to refine assumptions, resulting in stronger, more effective solutions.

Interface Design

Whether designing a modular design system or crafting more bespoke, unique UI elements, I prioritize modern accessibility standards while taking a human-centered approach to creating functional, developer-friendly digital interfaces.

Prototyping

Bringing static interfaces to life by animating how elements move, interact, and convey status to users can transform dull experiences into compelling ones. I lovingly craft prototypes which captivate stakeholders, validate ideas, and delight users in often charming ways.

Product Demos

Effectively communicating how a feature or product benefits both users and the business is essential to its success. I enjoy crafting clear, compelling narratives that explain the “why” behind our decisions, the process we followed, and the value it delivers to everyone.

Work Experience

Product Designer
at PPG Industries

Product Designer
at PPG Industries

Feb 2021 to Present

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

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 by rewarding the labor of volunteers with a local cryptocurrency that can be spent on local goods and services.

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 by rewarding the labor of volunteers with a local cryptocurrency that can be spent on local goods and services.

Art Director
at NFM Agency

Art Director
at NFM Agency

Oct 2013 - Feb 2021

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

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

mitch watts - product designer

mitch watts - product designer