HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGNER

About Jeffrey

Passionate and dedicated, I am always seeking new challenges and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Jeffrey Opp

Designer and Artist

After my adventure in the Navy, where I sharpened my attention to detail and problem-solving abilities while fixing avionics, I stumbled upon my love for creativity and design which led me to art school. This journey into the world of art and design cultivated my unique perspective and an eye for beauty, paving the way for a successful career in fine art.

Eager to expand my horizons and put my artistic talents to practical use, I transitioned into creating design work for clients. This experience honed my knack for empathizing with users and strengthened my ability to transform client needs into tangible, beautiful designs.
The thrill of entrepreneurship led me to co-own a craft kit business. It not only further polished my design skills, but also gave me precious insights into the business world, extending my expertise to product development, marketing, and customer service.

Now, my heart is set on designing for others, leveraging my rich background and versatile skill set. Armed with valuable UX training, I'm more prepared than ever to dive deep into user needs and craft designs that are not only eye-catching but also functional and user-friendly. The discipline, resilience, and strong work ethic instilled in me by my military experience accompany me in every project I embark on.

How my top strengths help teams

This fairly unique set of strengths is what I bring to any project or team. These strengths are my top strengths based on CliftonStrengths™ Assessment.

Learner

My strength as a learner would facilitate innovation and informed decision-making within a business context. My ongoing pursuit of knowledge would ensure that I remain up-to-date with industry trends, thus providing a competitive advantage. Furthermore, my learning habits enable me to develop a deep expertise, making me a valuable resource to any team.

Relator

My expertise and knowledge-sharing aid in problem-solving, decision-making, and professional development. Valuing honesty and transparency, I foster a culture of trust, authenticity, and learning, enhancing team relationships and collaboration. My reliability and clear communication enhance business relationships, improving client satisfaction, team cohesion, and reputation.

Strategic

I excel in strategy by identifying problems early, generating relevant ideas, and staying aware of operations and market trends. My skills in brainstorming innovative solutions and managing challenges are crucial for risk management and crisis resolution. My ability to analyze large amounts of information aids in research and problem-solving. These strengths are valuable in strategy development and decision-making roles.

Intellection

I am a curious thinker who contributes innovative thoughts to business discussions, with a keen interest in current events. This skill proves crucial in strategic planning, policy formation, and crisis management, aiding decision-making processes. My enthusiasm for language and precise terminology benefits drafting business documents, promoting clarity and effective collaboration. These traits make me an asset in environments that value critical thinking, communication, and strategic planning.

Reponsibility

As a solo performer, I strive for excellence, ensuring task quality and efficiency. My attention to detail and commitment to promises contribute to project success and trust. I reduce errors, save resources, and increase customer satisfaction by prioritizing quality over speed. My desire for control and accountability highlights my leadership potential, which is beneficial in managerial roles.

How I got here

Nine key moments that shaped me as a designer.

Drawing on an early Macintosh

My dad, a librarian, would take me to work on some weekends. While he would do his work, he would sit me down in front of a computer and leave me there to draw for hours. I'm sure that I made some amazing creations.

Looking at skateboard catalogs

My friend would always share his mail-order CCS skateboard catalogs with me. I spent so much time just looking at all the different designs on decks and wheels.

Discovering music album art

After the skateboard obsession came music. I would sit and just listen to music. While listening, I would look at the imagery on the album cover and booklet over and over.

Finding art in museums

On a month-long trip around Europe with my best friend, we visited dozens of museums. It was really the first time that I had seen that much visual art work. I must have fallen in love with art because that is when I decided to go to art school.

Finding artists that design

While I was doing research in undergrad, I found artists that painted, made photos, and did design work. I'm thinking of most of the artists involved in the Constructivist movement and most of the Bauhaus artists. Seeing them, made me realize it was possible to do art and design and that design would be a valuable skill to have alongside the those I was learning.

Grad school

It's fair to say that grad school shaped me as a person and artist, but it also shaped me as a designer. I learned so much about strategy, theory, and collaboration. I discovered how great art, like design, is an experience. I also designed our class's graduation exhibition catalog with a wonderful colleague.

Shifting toward design

This isn't so much a specific moment but a slow shift from earning money as a photographer and photo editor to doing design work. Through the early clients, I learned a ton about working with people as a designer. The experiences weren't always easy but they were always valuable.

Rebranding PopLush Embroidery

Rebranding this business changed the nature of the company. It went from a simple e-commerce business driven by selling customers whimsical design options to a business focused on creating a meaningful experience for its customers. Actually, it went from having customers to having fans, and truly fanatic ones at that.

Discovering user experience design

I became interested in expanding my design skillset and began a UX design course. During the course, I realized that I was already doing UX design at PopLush Embroidery. Taking the course helped me formalize the process and fit puzzle pieces together forming a more complete picture.