How'd I get here?
My work is a reflection of a background in graphic design and marketing with technology and user centered design thinking. I am a user experience designer so, how'd I get here?
I've always had a knack for drawing and design. I started at an early age drawing things that I loved: wildlife & landscapes, hearts & rainbows. At the family property near Crosslake, MN, my family has a cabin with a loft that was covered in styrofoam insulation for a while, until it got finished. My cousins and I covered every square inch of it with marker drawings that smelled like every fruit you could imagine thanks to our Mr. Sketch scented markers!
I continued to have a passion for art. Once I completed high school, I decided I wanted to be a 3D computer animator so, I went off to college to study multi-media! I studied desktop publishing, photo editing, illustration, interaction design, and computer animation.
I started working in the graphic arts industry at a printing company doing desktop publishing. Eventually, I moved on and accepted a position in the marketing department where I had a great time working on the business side of things. This is where I started working on the web, I had always dabbled with code and design, but while on this team I designed websites and also worked with clients to create cross-channel marketing; print, internet, and email.
I enjoyed working on the web so much, and I developed a passion for creating great experiences and engaging people across the web, text messaging, social media, email and print. I designed and architected media and marketing campaigns for companies across the country.
I moved on to a new company doing very similar work. The business started working on an updated, customer facing software solution and they started to ask me for UX Designs that would support it. I started working a "side hustle" doing UX Design on this project. As soon as got a taste of UX Design I knew that was what I was meant to do. I loved all of it, the research, the development, the design—it seemed as though I was destined to do this work. The product team liked what they saw so much, they promoted me to UX Designer on the delivery team for the project.
I'd love to see what I can do to help you achieve rock star results at your company!
Let's Chat: darryl.drozdik@icloud.com
Personally
I have a passion for technology, environment, interior design, architecture, history, nature, animals, culinary arts, social justice, well being, and goofing off! Most evenings after a good workout at the club, I spend time at home with my husband Kyle, and our two fur babies, Charlie and Zoey. We catch up on all our binge-worthy TV and I love to cook delicious meals! I'm kind of a health food nut and it is not uncommon for me to be trying something new and healthy! I volunteer my time to help marginalized communities and at risk populations in the Minneapolis area by donating my design skills to supporting AIDS service organizations as well as LGBTQ+ human services support.