Collaboration is key
As a product designer, I believe effective solutions stem from a deep understanding of the current state. This requires active collaboration with colleagues across various functions to review people, processes, and solutions. Cross-functional, collaborative discovery and research better enables designers and their Product trio to identify critical customer needs and pain points, while also gaining essential insights into technical possibilities and limitations.
My approach to moving from discovery to solution involves close partnership with customers, subject matter experts, and technical teams. This comprehensive understanding enables teams to collaboratively explore multiple solution options and carefully consider their impact on project scope, cost, and technical implementation. By actively engaging in this way, I can better inform design decisions and ensure that proposed solutions are both user-centered and technically feasible.
What My Colleagues Say
When I think of collaborating with great design partners, Sam always comes to mind. She is open, collaborative and has a solid perspective on user-centric design. I hope I am fortunate enough to work with you for a 3rd time! 🙌
Angie Li
Product Leader | Product Discovery and Market Fit
To anyone looking for a design strategist that can take seemingly complex or multifaceted products, apply analogous thinking and come up with intuitive designs and deliver a personalised user experience, look no further than Sam.
The fact she is a pleasure to work with and a fantastic stakeholder manager makes her an all round exceptional design talent.
Amit Sanghvi
Founder
You are an Amazing collaborator from NA to EMEA, really truly taking the time to understand the regional differences and helping to shape the necessary solutions required.Anywhere would be lucky to have you 🙌🏻
Tish Crawford-Jones
Director, Customer Success for Europe & APAC
Your boundless positivity, energy, and collaborative leadership was a daily inspiration.
Any team will be so lucky to have you!
Shreyak Shah
Product Designer
Sam!! It was always inspiring to see your passion for your team and our customers shine through every time we had the pleasure to cross paths. You’d be an asset to any team!!
Meaghan Misener
Senior Director, Content Services
Sam is an exceptionally talented and supportive team lead. She fosters growth, champions her team, and brings out the best in those around her. Any team would be lucky to have her by their side 🙌
Hitarth Chudgar
Design Engineer
Connecting Design and Technical
I believe that researching the technical opportunities and limitations of a problem space is fundamental. Early collaboration with cross-functional teams, particularly engineering, is crucial to effectively ideate on a range of solutions. This collaborative approach fosters team empathy for customers, ownership of crafting user-centric solutions, allows for the integration of diverse expertise, and ultimately leads to the best implementation of holistic and user-focused solutions.
Inclusive Design and Development
With a strong foundation in accessibility gained through CNIB certification and ongoing education, I champion inclusive design by embedding accessibility from the start of projects. I have a proven track record of developing accessibility strategies and guidelines, leading training sessions for design and development teams, and implementing accessibility within design systems. My experience includes ensuring designs meet WCAG 2.2 (AODA, ADA) and EN 301 549 (EAEA) standards and collaborating with development teams to ensure compatibility with screen readers and assistive devices. I also advocate for consistent and ongoing accessibility QA and evaluation and apply my knowledge both to design and code (HTML, CSS, JS) to create experiences that are truly usable by all.
