Matt J. Smith
Designer . Strategist . Information Architecture

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↓ Why Work with Me
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Defining digital spaces.

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Principles
↓ Projects
↓ Why Me
↓ Writing
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Most problems are information architecture problems.

A system’s ability to label, organize, display, or anticipate, impacts a person’s ability to understand it. These attributes are enabled by the architecture of the information layer and define the true success/failure tipping point of any project.

If your business is going to be successful it must connect the information layer to the back-end and interface layers in a way that enables people to complete their tasks. And this all needs to be informed by the business goals.

Be Curious.

The value I add to projects is in the experimentation. The decisions and trade-offs made, the discarded ideas that lead to better solutions, and navigating within the given constraints the business has chosen to live with.

Curiosity is vital to getting to a point where ambiguity is crystallized enough to deliver.

Be Intentional.

Whatever the role—designer, strategist, researcher, product manager—it’s vital to tailor any argument or decision based on the given context.

Being intentional is all about the ‘why’ and being clear about what evidence, signals, metrics, or lack thereof, inform that why.

↑ Principles
Projects
↓ Why Me
↓ Writing
↓ Contact

Completeing 5 times more mortgage closings with machine learning.

By using machine learning to pre-process closing packages, and automate a key workflow, we reduced employee stress while enabling them to complete 5 times more audits.

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Data mapping delivers better patient care and response time.

Stryker wanted to improve the human interaction with their Altrix temperature management equipment. We set out to help them accomplish this by tackling complex data, visualization, and analysis across devices.

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Redefining the way millions of mortgages are closed.

Transforming an historically manual process to a consumer facing digital experience required strategic guidance on how human-centered design fits into a feature-focused approach to building digital products.

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Changing how machine ownsers identify and purchase the right parts.

When you're the leader in an industry that offers a range of complex machines, attachments, and technology solutions your success comes directly from helping your customers find the right tools. We developed problem statements, validated hypothesis through user research, and mapped out ecosystems to help Cat deliver a best-in-class experience.

Project Gallery

Build a strategy for browsing over 100,000 products and finding the right one.

At CommScope they push the boundaries of communications technology to create the world’s most advanced networks. But when you have over 100,000 products your customers need to browse, how do you ensure they can find the right solution for their project?

Project Gallery

Modernizng ecommerce by building, and scaling, a design system across 8 different brands.

When Acco needed a new strategy for digital commerce across their portfolio of brands we had to ensure the approach, design, and technology would scale with them.

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↑ Projects
Why Me
↓ Writing

Why work with me?

/Recruiters

Hello there, my expertise is in strategy and information architecture, and I thrive at the crossroads of information, people, and experiences. I have 16 years of experience building software and leading teams across enterprise, consumer, start-up, and B2B product design.

/Design Leadership

The value I add to projects is in the experimentation. The decisions and trade-offs made to benefit the business, the discarded ideas that lead to better solutions, and navigating within the given constraints the business has chosen to live with.

/Designers

I’m a low-ego systems thinker less interested in the final design than the journey taken to reach it. Whatever the role—designer, strategist, researcher, product manager—I’ll collaborate with you, learn from you, and help make something valuable.

/Product Managers

I bring end-to-end product experience, from discovery and strategy definition through to prioritization and delivery. I’m intentional, and I’ll partner closely with you to define the ‘why’ and what evidence, signals, metrics, or lack thereof, inform how we’ll deliver impactful value.

/Engineers

While I’m not an engineer, I know my way around and can speak fluently with you. I’m an experienced, certified, Object-oriented UX Strategist which uses principles from domain driven design to clearly define the information needed to connect the end-user experience to the back end architecture.