OPen

Hi, I'm Luke—an American Designer based in Chicago. I create human-centered products and experiences for visionary businesses. I've been honing my skills as a designer for a little over a decade.

Companies I've worked with

United Health Group

AAR Corp.

USG

Navy Pier

Chicago Board Options Exchange

Technical proficiency

Anchored in an engineering foundation, I blend technical proficiency with UI/UX mastery, emphasizing responsive design, interaction, web development, and analytics-driven decision-making.

Soft skills

With a strong ethos of empathy and communication, I apply my innate problem-solving skills and leadership acumen to drive collaborative and impactful design outcomes.

Every step of my journey is fueled by a commitment to excellence and a drive to push boundaries. Here's my story.

Transitioning from a foundation in mechanical engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago to the dynamic realm of design, my evolution has been both deliberate and transformative. Resigning from my conventional role, I embarked on a year-long UX/UI intensive program that honed my skills for the digital world. During this transformative phase, I learned quickly by consulting on web and app design for various small to medium-sized businesses.

Professionally, my path led to pivotal roles at established organizations. At United Health Group, I contributed to the redesign of their OptumRx pharmacy delivery benefits product. Currently, at AAR Corp., I'm leading UI/UX design and research efforts, focusing on diverse software solutions ranging from aircraft maintenance to parts e-commerce.

Merging my foundational knowledge with my hunger for design, I've continually aimed to craft solutions that not only resonate with users but also set industry benchmarks.

Experience:

AAR Corp.

Sr. UX/Visual Designer

Directed research and design initiatives for the aircraft parts pricing tool, enhancing strategies for a division with an annual turnover of approximately $90m.

Took the helm as lead designer and researcher for Digital MRO, an FAA-certified product suite, executing over $12m in maintenance work.

Led the transformative redesign of maintenance software for North America's most expansive commercial aircraft maintenance operation.

Presented tailored design solutions to AAR's CEO and engaged with a 4-star general of the U.S. Air Force, showcasing leadership and communication skills.

UX/Visual Designer

Spearheaded the research and discovery phase for the redesign of shop.aarcorp.com, focusing on re-platforming AAR's consumer-facing e-commerce application for used aircraft parts.

Pioneered a user-centered design system for AAR, optimizing pricing for expansive inventory and supporting prestigious clients such as United Airlines and the U.S. Marine Corps.

United Health Group

UX Designer

Revitalized the OptumRx e-commerce product by redesigning the med card UI and optimizing checkout flows, enhancing the experience for its 28 million users.

Spearheaded the development of usability testing prototypes and scripts to ensure intuitive and user-friendly designs.

Established a brand-agnostic design system, facilitating seamless private-label and client-branded Rx benefit experiences across both mobile and web platforms.

iLLEST Inc.

Product Design Consultant

Developed an eCommerce and digital marketing site for an entertainment brand, driving over $5,000 in e-commerce sales and securing $100,000 in booked leads.

Skills:

Design

Systems: Expertise design with Figma, Storybook, InVision DSM.

Prototyping: High-fidelity designs using Figma, Sketch, Axure, XD, Illustrator; including AR/VR integrations.

Interactions: Dynamic creations with Figma, Principle, After Effects, Webflow.

Prototyping

Detail: Specialized in high-fidelity and responsive design for discovery & validation phases.

Web: Proficient with WordPress, Webflow, Squarespace, Wix; adept at crafting mobile-responsive layouts.

Physical: Skills in 3D design, laser cutters, CNC lathes, 3D printers.

Research

Methods: Contextual inquiry, heuristic evaluation, moderated/unmoderated tests; platforms like UserZoom.

Data-Driven: A/B testing with Google Optimize and Adsense; workshops using Miro, Trello, Figma.

Tech skills

Solid foundation in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, with a focus on responsive design principles.

Education:

Certificate in UI/UX Design

Designation at Flatiron School (2020)

Bachelor of Science (B. S.) in Mechanical Engineering

University of Illinois at Chicago (2017)