Keenan Teddy Smith
I am a UX Researcher from Flint, Michigan who currently resides in Pilsen, Chicago. With a degree in Comparative Ethnic Studies, focusing on Literatures of the Black Atlantic, & a certificate of completion from Thinkful’s UX/UI Design program, I am adept at storytelling with both text & visuals. My narratives have the specificity required to engage & amplify the voices of Black communities & other racial or sexual minorities. I am also an avid gaymer.
I made the jump to design based on my fascination with visual culture. The way that most information is transmitted non-verbally fascinates me, someone who is obsessed with words. The designs of the staff at Kurzgesagt, Apple Music, and Grindr have been especially impactful, provoking conversations between me and my connections in tech as to how beauty can drive loyalty and encourage curiosity.
I balance my day job with personal creative work, namely poetry and prose. I have had the honor of being published by the likes of The Michigan Quarterly Review, Hyperallergic, and T: the New York Times Style Magazine.
My design ethos is to synthesize the lessons of history with the demands of the contemporary user. Too often, yesterday is forgotten in the name of an emblazoned tomorrow. I don’t pretend to know everything about writing or design, but in my experience the most successful design is aware of its past to know its future.
