Tiffany Aiken

Las Vegas, NV / 435-590-4604/tiffanyaaiken@gmail.com

www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyaiken/


Skilled User Experience Researcher and Information Architect with over 9 years of experience, including working for both a Bay Area tech startup and Fortune 100 companies across multiple industries. Developed a deep understanding of UX research methodologies and how to best leverage them to inform design decisions, resulting in a 100% contract renewal rate with clients. Ability to design and conduct mixed-methods research studies has resulted in meaningful and actionable insights for some of the world's largest and most innovative technology companies. Natural leader and mentor, having trained and educated colleagues, clients, and students on UX research methodologies.

Software Skills:


·         Axure, Balsamiq, InVision, HTML, CSS3, UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, Google Analytics, Qualtrics, Sketch, Zoom, Tobii, dscout, Figma


Design Skills:


·         Wireframe Low/Hi-Fidelity Mockups, Personas, Task Flows, Storyboarding, Sprints, Workshopping


Research Methods:


·         Interviews, Surveys, Field Studies, Heuristic Reviews, Competitor Analysis, Focus Groups, Remote and In-Person Usability Testing, Moderated and Unmoderated Usability Testing, Diary Studies, Longitudinal Studies, Tree Testing, Card Sorting, Eye Tracking, Contextual Inquiries, Ethnographies, Wizard of Oz Testing

 

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS


·         Designed and executed user experience research projects for some of the world's largest and most innovative technology companies, across a wide variety of industries.

·         Employs card sorting, journey mapping, experience blueprinting and qualitative user testing techniques to identify opportunities.

·         Built an on-site research lab, trained UX designers and product managers, and defined UX research strategy.

·         Led more than 100 trainings on research methodologies and best uses of the UserTesting platform for both clients and colleagues.

·         Scoped UX studies from start to finish and managed all the research projects for small business clients with a 100% contract renewal rate while working as a Lead Small Business Researcher at UserTesting.

·         Educated students, faculty, and private renters on the University's eye-tracking lab and usability equipment to enable the lab's use for class projects, as well as student and consumer research.

·         Capable workshop designer and facilitator.

·         Presented research findings and facilitated interactive workshops across teams with clients such as Meta, Apple, Airbnb, and Google.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE


Springboard

Online learning platform that prepares students for tech careers with mentor-led online programs like UI/UX design, and more.

UX Design Career Track Mentor, Remote                                                                                                           6/2018 – Present

·         Provides ongoing mentorship through weekly phone calls and emails to Springboard students who are transitioning into UX careers.

AnswerLab

Company that delivers UX insights for the world's most innovative brands.

Senior UX Researcher, Principal Researcher, Remote                                                                                     2/2018 – 4/2023

·         Designed and conducted user experience research projects using mixed research methodologies for some of the world’s largest and most innovative technology companies, in a wide variety of industries such as technology, finance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, retail, e-commerce, SaaS, and more.

Overstock.com

Overstock.com, Inc. is an American tech-driven internet retailer.

Senior Design Researcher, Salt Lake City, UT                                                                                                 8/2016 – 12/2017

·         Responsible for UX research strategy and coordinated across all product teams to define needs, strategy, and successes. Trained all UX Designers and Product Managers on mixed research methods, including usability testing, eye tracking, ethnographies, diary studies, and more.

·         Supported UX design and visual design efforts as well as product decisions in a new series of solutions in. each product area including the AR space. Proactively turned open questions and curiosities into formal research plans using appropriate methods to gain meaningful insights.

·         Shared research results across the organization to generate empathy, emotion, and engagement.

·         Built an on-site user experience research lab from the ground-up; overseeing the design of the lab, conducting research, and adding research equipment as needed, recruiting for onsite participants, and moderating research sessions for each product team.

UserTesting

Human insight platform that gives companies a first-person understanding of target audiences through user experience research.

User Experience Researcher, Lead Small Business Researcher, Remote                                                          4/2014 – 5/2016

·         Scoped UX studies from start to finish; identified project objectives, developed screeners and test plans, monitored recruitment and data collection, analyzed user data, and created and presented reports to stakeholders.

·         Directed and taught more than 100 trainings on research methodologies and best uses of the UserTesting platform for both clients and colleagues.

·         Contributed to the UserTesting blog and worked with universities as part of the University Partnerships program.

·         Implemented various research methodologies monthly: unmoderated, moderated, longitudinal, preference, benchmarking, mobile, card sorting, and tree tests.

·         Worked with 200+ clients ranging in size from a handful of employees to Fortune 500 companies across many industries.

·         Managed all research projects for small business clients with a 100% contract renewal rate.

University of Baltimore UX Research Lab

 The User Research Lab is a high-tech research laboratory specializing in human-centered research studies.

Graduate Assistant, Baltimore, MD                                                                                                                   1/2013 – 7/2013

·         Educated students, faculty and private renters on the University’s eye-tracking lab and usability equipment to enable the lab’s use for class projects, as well as student and consumer research.

EDUCATION


University of Baltimore                                                                                                                               Baltimore, MD

Master of Science in Information Architecture and Interaction Design                                                                                           2014

University of Utah                                                                                                                                     Salt Lake City, UT

Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology                                                                                                                                                         2008

CERTIFICATES & TRAINING


University of Nevada, Las Vegas                                                                                                                  Las Vegas, NV

Graduate Certificate in Management Information Systems                                                                                                                2012

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE & AWARDS


·         Ladies that UX, Event Coordinator - Handled all event planning and organization for UX education

·         Hearts Alive Village – 2015 Dog foster for sick and traumatized dogs needing rehabilitation before being adopted.