Summary
Why I Treat Every UX Project Like a Leadership Opportunity
The Power of Curiosity in UX Design
Designing for Humans, Not Just Users
Designing with Purpose: Why UX Is More Than Just Aesthetics
Websites
Corien Zavod

Corien Zavod

Chadds Ford,PA
CREATIVE AT HEART. STRATEGIC BY NATURE.

Summary

I’m Corien Zavod, a User Experience role model in the making

  • As a third-year Human-Centered Design & Development student at Penn State, I blend creativity, innovation, and passion with a leadership mindset to design experiences that make a real impact.
  • With a foundation in UX design, psychology, and human factors, I focus on how people think, feel, and interact with technology. I use tools like Figma and Adobe XD not just to design, but to tell meaningful, user-first stories.
  • Whether I’m leading a design sprint, wireframing an app, or testing prototypes, I bring curiosity, empathy, and a drive to improve the way people live and work through thoughtful design.
  • Check out my articles to see how I turn ideas into interfaces—and why I believe UX is more than a career, it’s a responsibility.

Why I Treat Every UX Project Like a Leadership Opportunity

Summary:

UX design isn’t just about screens, it’s about people. I view every project as an opportunity to lead with empathy, confidence, and care.

 

UX as a Form of Leadership

In design school and internships, I saw how easy it was to focus on deliverables: wireframes, research reports, usability tests. But I’ve learned that the best UX happens when someone steps up to lead the process: bringing teams together, asking questions, and clarifying the vision. For me, being a User Experience Role Model means being that person.

Whether I’m mentoring a classmate or facilitating a stakeholder interview, I try to lead with clarity and intention. I don’t wait for a title, I step in where leadership is needed.

 

Quiet Confidence, Big Impact

Leadership in UX doesn’t have to be loud. Sometimes it means listening more than talking. Sometimes it means stepping back so others can step up. But in every project, there’s a chance to guide outcomes by setting a thoughtful tone and modeling strong design practices.

That’s what I strive for, not just being the “designer,” but the person others can look to for direction and support.

 

Why UX Designers Need Leadership Skills – Nielsen Norman Group

The Power of Curiosity in UX Design

Summary:

Curiosity is my secret weapon in UX. It drives me to ask better questions, spot patterns, and stay engaged, even when the path isn’t clear.

 

Questions Open Doors

In UX, asking “why?” is just the beginning. I often ask: What isn’t being said? Why did users pause here? What surprised them? These questions help me dig into unexpected feedback and see problems from new angles.

In usability tests or design critiques, I lean into what confuses me. That confusion is often a clue worth chasing.

 

Curiosity Keeps You Growing

Curiosity makes me a better teammate. I seek feedback early and often, not to defend my work but to improve it. I explore new tools, follow emerging UX trends, and reflect on what I could’ve done differently after every project.

Designers who stay curious stay sharp, and I never want to stop learning.

 

The Importance of Curiosity in Design Thinking – IDEO

Designing for Humans, Not Just Users

Summary:

Good UX is about more than usability, it’s about emotional, accessible, and ethical design that respects people, not just personas.

 

Design Is Emotional

Every design choice affects someone’s mood, confidence, or ability to succeed. That’s why I try to design with empathy at every step. I ask: How will this feel? Is this empowering? or confusing?

From early research to final UI, I keep the human experience at the center.

 

Think Bigger Than Function

Being a UX Role Model means challenging teams to go beyond what “works.” It means designing for inclusion, accessibility, and equity because real people have real needs, and they’re not all the same.

I want to be known for designs that don’t just function, but feel right - and that starts with designing for people, not just screens.

 

The Role of Emotion in UX Design – UX Design Institute

Designing with Purpose: Why UX Is More Than Just Aesthetics

Summary:

UX design isn’t just about making things pretty, it’s about making things work for real people. Purposeful design reduces friction, boosts clarity, and ensures everyone can participate.

 

Aesthetic Doesn't Equal Usable

It’s easy to get caught up in visuals: drop shadows, gradients, animations, but beauty without function falls flat. I believe in designing for clarity first. Every layout choice I make is intentional: guiding attention, simplifying decisions, and making complex flows feel effortless. Even the nicest-looking interface fails if users feel confused or overwhelmed.

Great UX means every screen, button, and flow serves a clear purpose. I ask: Does this help someone succeed? Does it remove doubt or hesitation? That’s what separates design that’s just “cool” from design that connects.

 

Purpose Includes Accessibility

Designing with purpose also means designing with inclusion. I don’t think of accessibility as a checklist, it’s a mindset. Color contrast, keyboard navigation, and screen reader support are baked into how I prototype and test. I want every user regardless of ability, context, or device to feel like this product was made for them.

Accessibility isn’t just about compliance, it’s about respect. And honestly, inclusive design makes the experience better for everyone.

 

The Bigger Picture

I’m always thinking one step ahead. Will this onboarding flow reduce cognitive load? Will this error message offer guidance or just frustration? Purposeful UX is about seeing the whole journey, not just isolated screens.

 

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview – W3C

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