Hi, I'm Josephine
I'm a Sweden-born, Seattle-based designer and musician who loves to create efficient, accessible design systems and user-centered experiences.
My Jam
- System design and documentation
- UI/UX design
- Information architecture
- Web accessibility
- Responsive design
- Front-end development
- Prototyping
- Audio production
Approach
Plan, Create, Iterate
My work approach always depends on client needs and project type. Design is rarely a linear process, but I prefer a methodical and holistic approach to problem-solving.
Before creating, I want to make sure I understand the scope, problem, and users. I ask many questions and use research methods or existing data to develop a strategy and guide my decisions.
Balancing the Ecosystem
I care about the little details as much as the big picture, and I evaluate everything through a system-centric lens. I believe good solutions not only work well on their own but also fit seamlessly into the larger system they are part of.
Whether I’m working on design system components or experiences, the solutions need to be on-brand, easily maintained, meet stakeholder needs, and harmonize with existing solutions. Consistency is so important for a great experience.
I love working with design systems because they empower design and engineering teams to work efficiently and consistently together, supporting a product’s scalability.
Facilitating Inclusion
If I’m running an accessibility audit, I evaluate the product against accessibility standards (WCAG) using a combination of manual, automated, and user tests. I outline issues and recommendations in a detailed report and enjoy working with team members to implement fixes and build a culture of accessibility awareness.
Streamlining for Scalability
As a problem-solver, doer, and organizer at heart, I’m always looking for ways to improve efficiency, from streamlining spreadsheets to incorporating reusable design patterns.
If there’s something I don’t understand, I go the extra mile to learn. I also frequently draw on my experience with web accessibility and front-end development to create designs that are inclusive, responsive, and technically feasible.
Embracing Collaboration
I highly value feedback and close collaboration with engineers and clients from start to finish to achieve the best possible outcome. Design is a team effort.
Toolbox
Design
Figma (preferred), Sketch, Adobe CC (Ai, Id, Ps, Acrobat Pro, Ae), ProtoPie, pen&paper
Development
HTML, CSS, WordPress, Bootstrap, basic JS and PHP, VSC
Accessibility
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, screen readers, browsers, keyboard, contrast checker, auto testing tools, bookmarks, spreadsheets
Audio
Logic Pro, Cubase, Wavelab, various VSTs, voice, guitar, piano
Past to Present
I grew up in an artistic family in Sweden and fell in love with everything creative before I could walk. My interests were never confined to one area; I wanted to do it all—make videos and layouts, draw, dance, write/sing/play music, build, read people, and organize everything from CDs to events.
Being versatile has helped me thrive in diverse environments. I’ve lived in many places 🌎 (Stockholm, Los Angeles, Seattle) and, before design, I worked in a range of fields. These experiences have shaped me into the designer I am today and continue to enrich my approach.
Music Production & Songwriting
Growing up surrounded by melodies, singing and playing instruments quickly became a big part of my life. I wrote my first song on the ukulele when I was 9 (as cheesy as it gets 😅 but a start). We had a family band for a while. At the age of 12, my dad introduced me to music software. This sparked a deep relationship with music production, eventually leading me to study music in LA. Here you can listen to a few of my recordings 🎸.
Since transitioning into design over a decade ago, I’ve enjoyed discovering the many ways music skills cross over. From emotional storytelling and multimedia design, to software and animation principles — the list goes on.
Administration
Being organized has always come in handy. In previous administrative roles, I managed large datasets, budgets, schedules, processes, and projects, enjoying the chance to nerd out with checklists and spreadsheet tricks.
While design involves many of the same tasks, I found it valuable to gain these experiences in non-design environments. They provided unique insights into how and why different people use digital tools and have also been a source of inspiration for working with complex data, UI components, and information architecture.
Education
I’ve worn various hats (e.g. teacher, researcher, event planner) in educational environments. At two music colleges, I was fortunate to work closely with cross-functional teams and students from all over the world. Motivated to help students succeed, this is when I fell in love with learning-centered design that puts people first.
Communication
Serving people in restaurants, stores, nursing homes, schools, and financial offices has taught me the power of active listening, careful observation, and empathy.
Life
In my spare time, you’ll find me color-coding closets, building furniture, gardening, playing logic games, exploring cultures through food and music, and walking rescued dogs.
Views
- Quality over quantity.
- If there’s a will, there is a way.
- There’s always more to learn.
- Dogs are the best.
- You can never have too many plants.