What inspired or motivated you to give this talk at WordCamp?
For the past year or so I’ve really been questioning wireframes as a design process. Often they are rushed to get out the door, and have far too many oversights. As a user experience design process, we should be thinking beyond the wireframe and how the user actually interacts with the design elements, not just blocking out a page layout. Wireframes have stifled the creative design process and I believe that designers should rethink their effectiveness.
Do you have any advice or words of encouragement for those who are thinking about getting involved in the WordPress community?
The WordPress community is a fantastic, welcoming, and fun ecosystem to be a part of. The people and connections that are possible are truly inspiring.
If you could make one improvement to WordPress today, what would it be?
Making things easier for the user to be on-boarded to WordPress. There are a lot of opportunities for WordPress to really become an ‘easier’ platform for the user. This is especially true when looking at other platforms like SquareSpace, Wix, etc. that make that first step much, much easier for the user. As a community I think we have a user experience problem to solve and fix, in order for WordPress to continue it’s growth.
Who do you most admire and why?
The individuals who stand up for what is right, just, and fair. The individuals out there fighting for others, taking a stand for morality throughout their lives. I truly believe that when we stand together there is nothing we cannot accomplish. But when we’re divided, the evils of the world will always win. I will forever be inspired by those in my life who have the courage to stay along the ultimate moral compass to push for the rights of those who are less fortunate or do not have the ability, voice, or position to do so themselves. These are the people that we all should hold up together, for the greater good.
What’s your favorite quote from a book or movie?
“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” – J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix