It's nice to meet you.
My Name is Anne Pivonka. I am a UX Design Researcher at Nationwide. I have a passion for taking the complex and making it simple. In 2023, I graduated from Purdue University with a major in UX Design, a minor in Psychology, and certificates in Collaborative Leadership and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. I am an attentive professional focused on User Research and Interaction Design.
My Curiosity about the world and a desire to create meaningful experiences that fit seamlessly into the lives of everyday people is what drive my passion for design.
In the past, I have worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the UXP2 Lab at Purdue University studying ethical considerations of UX Practice as well as the development of mindset around UX Methods. This is what inspired my interest in technology ethics and where I learned a lot of my foundational research skills.
When I am not working on UX-related projects, I am usually playing guitar, hiking, cooking, or making playlists.
My Design Philosophy
Empathy First Approach
I am a people person and people are at the core of what I do. As a researcher, I approach my work with compassion for the people I am designing for. I recognize the individuality of each person as well as the value that they add. I always want to do my best to understand them so that I can create something that truly adds value to their lives. I believe that clarity comes with understanding, and understanding comes from listening.
Messy Doesn't Stress Me
Design is chaotic and I like it that way. Every single project has new challenges, new approaches, and new successes. I love figuring out how to best approach a problem and working collaboratively with a bunch of different people. I really love the chaos that comes with successful design work. This is also one of the reasons that research is such a vital part of my process. It helps me to make sense of really complex issues to try to improve the lives of the people who interact with my designs.
Creating An Impact While Being Invisible
Through the projects that I have completed during my time at Purdue, I have learned just how large of an impact the work that I do can have. The most impactful designs often go unnoticed and that is not a bad thing. Successful designs seamlessly integrate into the lives of the people that use them.