Matt J. Smith
Designer . Strategist . Information Architecture
Be Curious.
For me, the final design is not as interesting, or as important, as the journey taken to reach it.
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.
To create value we need to understand; Why this problem? Why this user segment? Why this approach over another?
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 (and valuable to humans) it must connect the information layer, to the back-end and interface layers, in a way that enables people to complete their tasks while meeting the business goals.
Improving workflows with machine learning.
By using machine learning to pre-process closing packages, and automate a key workflow, we reduced employee stress while reducing time on task by 80% on average.
View Case Study ↗One machine, universal temperature management.
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.
View Case Study ↗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.
View Case Study ↗Improving how tools are found and purchased.
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 GalleryDriving innovation by embracing complexity.
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 GalleryDigital transformation and design at scale.
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.
View Case Study ↗Matt & Spaetzle
I have experience across the entire process of designing digital experiences with expertise in strategy and information architecture. I thrive at the crossroads of information, people, and experiences and focus on experimenting to find the right fit within the given constraints of a project.
I’m especially interested in the intersection of digital and physical products. I believe there is often a gap in the process of applying information architecture practices to connected products and emerging technologies.
I live in Grand Rapids, MI and can often be found co-working with my dog Spaetzle, experimenting with a new pastry recipe, or out in the yard planning out my gardens. I'm a designer alongside a wonderful group of humans at Atomic Object.
Good Gardening = Good Software (or What I Learned While Getting a Horticulture Certification)
(A Lack of) Curiosity Killed the Software Project
What Does “Intelligent” Actually Mean in AI (Right Now)?
Don’t Confuse Complex with Complicated, Part 1: What is Information?
Don’t Confuse Complex with Complicated, Part 2 – Complexity is Part of the Deal
Don’t Confuse Complex with Complicated, Part 3 – Assuming the Burden
Unlock The Potential of Your Data by Humanizing It
A Recipe for Content Management
Accounting for Web Accessibility During the Design Process
Increasing Speed to Market for Multi-Brands
Here's Why a B2B Experience is Just B2C in Disguise
Gaining Stakeholder Buy-in by Prioritizing User Satisfaction
matthew.smith10(at)gmail(dot)com