Alison R Martin
Senior Product Designer
Why me?
Do you have feature gaps? Need a problem solver to detangle complex, manual workarounds from your user’s true goals?
Do you need a designer with the product prowess to define the right problem and rapidly test potential solutions?
Do you want an approachable interviewer with the empathy and enthusiasm to put users at ease? With the confidence to present solutions to leadership and strategic vision to inspire those around her?
I'm the product designer for you.
Read about my process
Understand the problem
Written by AL, not AI
Concentrate on solving the right problem.
User needs come first and foremost.
If you ask users, "Would you use [feature we want to build]?" You're making a costly mistake.
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Instead, I dig into their pain points. Watch them use our product. Ask open-ended questions. Learn their habits. In the case of business users, where are they spending the most time? Are there hidden costs associated with using our product?
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For example, I identified affiliate marketing users were struggling with intellectual property theft. Their competitors then used their affiliate ID tracking links to find and target their ad spots. Our users lost tens of thousands of dollars as ad spot costs spiked. The team had previously been working on personal assumptions and board-led business priorities.
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Solving this problem reduced the affiliate's cost, increased the value of our product, and increased user satisfaction.
What else informs good problem definition?
The best designers create harmony between the users, the business, the design, and the functional product. We prioritize:
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Improving backend infrastructure.
Building value for the user and organization.
Filling gaps in the product.
Detangling complex puzzles.
Designing with intention.
Iterating hand-in-hand with users.
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My teammates call it my "strong product intuition," but it's hard-earned, constantly tested, and sharpened by ongoing education.
Explore the possibilities
Good design doesn't jump from research to the perfect solution.
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I analyze the data.
I consider the broader user flow.
I document what already exists.
I write How Might We statements.
I sketch a wide variety of potential solutions.
I collaborate with teammates - good ideas can come from anyone!
I articulate ideas using wireframes.
I validate a direction using rapid prototyping.
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Only then do I refine the designs into clean, polished high-fidelity visuals through iteration and validation.
Finalize & Deliver
Delivered not "done"
The best products are never finished.​
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Something else can always be done to improve, add, or simplify a user's experience. I consider resources and timelines with every feature, working closely with product managers and engineers to define a reasonable and viable scope.
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I ask for input, outline my professional recommendations, and then embrace the product owner's decision.
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Once usability tests are complete and designs have passed rigorous critiques, it's time for delivery.
Proper documentation
Throughout my career, I have treated engineers as partners and personal "users." I continuously iterate on my documentation and delivery.
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From organized and well-labeled Figma files to detailed Jira tickets, I ensure my engineers find my designs straightforward to navigate.