Global studio practice and design mentoring
UX, UI and product designer
Design mentor
How I ran a remote design practice for US clients for 12 years
I started in 1998 as a design teacher. From 1999 I worked with local businesses on branding and corporate presentations. In 2001 I began building websites, and from the early 2000s I worked with international clients through GetACoder and 99designs.
From 2010, most of my clients were in the US and Canada. Working across time zones takes clear communication, clear handoffs and steady delivery.
I worked asynchronously over email, Slack and Loom, and joined calls in the overlap hours. A written update or a short Loom walkthrough let clients pick up my work without waiting for a call. Two of my partnerships lasted more than ten years.
25+ years
Designing for clients
100+
Websites with the US partners
12 years
Longest US client partnership
ADPList
Mentor since 2021
Working across the distance
Many US companies hesitate to hand design work to a designer abroad. They worry about quality, timing and communication.
I earned trust the plain way: clear briefs, clear handoffs, and delivery on the date I gave.
Long partnerships
Tripepi Smith, Irvine, California | 2010 to 2022. I worked with their team on 30+ WordPress websites, built for SEO and accessibility.
Todd Clarke, Seattle | 2010 to 2022. Design partner for small and mid-size businesses. Websites with a minimal look and a clear message.
Mentoring
I mentor designers coming out of UX bootcamps. I help with portfolios, case studies, choosing companies, and fitting a team’s culture.
I started on my own in 2021 and have mentored through ADPList since September 2022. I also trained designers on my teams at PayGlocal and Payppy.
Steady delivery
What I bring to a remote team is plain on purpose: clear communication in English, spoken and written, clear briefs and handoffs, and steady delivery over many years. Two clients stayed with me for more than ten years.