When analyzing digital platforms, it’s tempting to focus on numbers; downloads, feature lists, or update notes. Yet those metrics don’t capture the human side of app use: how people feel when they open an app, what they need from it, and where friction gets in the way.

My goal was to create a companion that hikers could return to, a mix of structure and creativity that balances trail stats with reflections, doodles, and mementos.

When I set out to create user personas for the Depop app, I wanted to move beyond surface-level assumptions and instead ground them in meaningful motivations and behaviors.

This week, my digital product idea began moving from concept to something more tangible. What started as an abstract plan for a hiking journal is now taking shape through a detailed component breakdown and the first round of sketches.

As a graduate student navigating the messy, rewarding world of empathy research, I’ve learned that understanding people means more than collecting data, it requires truly stepping into their experiences, their frustrations, and their unspoken hopes.

When I think about creating digital products, my focus is on designing tools that solve real problems in ways that feel both practical and creative.

When you think about thrifting, you might picture sifting through racks of clothing, discovering hidden gems, or chatting with a friend while trying on something unexpected. That same experience has shifted online, and two of the biggest players, Depop and Poshmark,

When most people think about digital products, they picture planners, templates, or maybe a set of art prints. But the real story behind these creations goes much deeper.

Reinventing human centered design, starts in the mailroom.

Design Thinking isn’t a rigid process, it’s a mindset.

Throughout this campaign process, I didn’t just research Oddli, I got to know them.

Social media has always been more than just an app on my phone, it’s been a creative outlet, a career stepping stone, and honestly, sometimes, a bit of a mental drain.

Despite constant headlines about new apps and shifting trends, Instagram remains one of the most impactful platforms out there.

As social media continues to evolve, one thing has become clear: authenticity isn’t just appreciated; it’s expected.

It all begins with an idea.