My Name is Rachel Smith Jahnz.
I’m a Minneapolis, MN based UX Designer, Strategist, and Researcher.
For the past 7 years, I’ve used my skills to transform user experiences and digital interfaces across nonprofit, government, and healthcare industries.
HOW I WORK
I help clients succeed in creating innovative strategies and solutions through…
- Endless Curiosity that Feeds Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving
- Methodical Qualitative and Targeted Quantitative User Research
With a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and my work in working with people in multiple industries, I’ve always been excited to understand how people think in regards to technology and ways digital platforms and tools can be better design to make lives better. It’s this curiosity and drive that fuels my problem solving. strategic, and creative thinking, helping clients surpass expectations and thrive in today's ever-evolving and sometimes confusing landscape.
My Qualitative Research methods are rooted in Anthropology and the Humanities, seeing technology and design as tools for people to reach or achieve desired goals, ensuring that new digital designs and design improvements are made with people in mind, their stories told, and their goals being my goals. My approach to Quantitative User Research is based on sound data science and statistic analysis practices, making lasting strategic and design decisions that goes deeper than Big Data, AI, etc and makes using such tools an even more effective endeavor.
- Launching Design Ideation Rooted in User Research Findings
- Designs that are Accessible, Inclusive, and Ethical Before the Pen Meets the Page or Figma is Opened
The User Research and Findings are used as a launchpad to iterate on design ideas and craft innovative, user-centered solutions that meet the needs of the people using the products. Design solutions tend to pop in my head as I’m pouring over notes from user interviews or data points from surveys, ratings, consumer or app reviews, and in utilizing additional research activities.
To me, User Experience Design is about more than just pixel-perfect aesthetics. In going deeper than aesthetics and designing with Accessibility, Inclusivity, and Sound Ethics from the onset, my aim is to question and refine the impacts of design ideas, address and solve people’s goals and needs without creating new issues, and lay the groundwork for continuous design improvement and people’s trust and satisfaction with our/my results!
My skills
My “magic wands”
When I’m not designing, I love spending time around the Twin Cities with my spouse, going to restaurants, parks (dog parks included), and walking around the Chain of Lakes. I love running, biking, doing yoga, enjoying tea and boba, going to arcades, playing bar or brunch trivia, and showering our two Chihuahua mixes with love and hugs!
My spouse and I at our campsite picnic table after breakfast, Scenic State Park, MN
Obligatory pic of our Chihuahuah pups