Lead Product Designer at HOTB Software
Speaking & Leadership
About Me
My Journey to Design
Growing up, my family believed that I would either become an inventor or a lawyer, depending on whether my passion for creating great products or advocating for good ideas was stronger.
At Orange County School of the Arts, I had the opportunity to explore numerous disciplines in the visual and performing arts, but struggled to choose a single path to pursue.
In college, I decided to study business finance — hard left turn, I know — as I felt that I needed some more practical knowledge to apply to my skillset. I’m glad I did.
After some time working in advertising agencies, I discovered that I didn't want to sell great products, I wanted create them.
In 2019, I attended a UX Design bootcamp in Berlin, Germany — (why not?) — and fell in love with the field that perfectly combines what I love most about business, technology, and creating cool things that people love.
I have found my niche in complex enterprise software. I find these types of challenges incredibly energizing because they involve intricate and crucial tools that users heavily rely on.
Standup & Improv Comedy
When I'm not designing, you'll find me at the local theater, practicing the art of making people laugh or supporting my fellow comedians.
What makes this art form so special is that it is ephemeral — it exists for a single moment with a single audience, and then it's gone. It requires the performer to be fully present, adapting the content to the room.
In a team, performers collaborate to create never-before-seen, improvised stories by saying "yes and" to each other's ideas. It’s riveting.
This hobby has had a profound impact on my life in numerous ways. It has improved my public speaking, teamwork, and my ability to analyze users and provide solutions even with limited information. (It makes me more fun in meetings too.)
My Favorite Books
The Startup of You — Reid Hoffman, Ben Casnocha
Because Internet — Gretchen McCulloch
Everybody Lies — Seth Stephens-Davidowits
Invisible Women — Caroline Craido Perez
Nudge — Richard Thaler, Cass Sunstein
Rationality — Steven Pinker
Talking to Strangers — Malcom Gladwell
Other Stuff I Do + Have Done
Interior design the heck out of my place. (Mid-century modern, Scandinavian contemporary.)
Play with my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Muffin.
Train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay-Thai Kickboxing, & Judo.
Salsa & Ballroom Dancing.
Wrote and produced short films.
Wrote and produced musical theater shows.
Connect with me on LinkedIn :)
Or email me at snvivonia@gmail.com