I Am Joshua Schmitz
The AeroSpacecase

1) Discovery & Research:
Setting the Foundation

Great design starts with understanding. I immerse myself in the problem space by:

• Understanding the "Why": Aligning with business goals and defining success metrics in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Researching the "Who": Conducting qualitative and quantitative research (interviews, surveys, analytics) to uncover the motivations, behaviors, and pain points of real users—not just personas.
• Exploring the "What": Reviewing competitive landscapes, benchmarking products, and analyzing industry trends to identify opportunities for differentiation.

The output of this phase is a clear definition of the problem, user needs, and project objectives.

2) Ideation & Conceptualization:
Designing the Right Thing

With insights in hand, I lead brainstorming and co-creation workshops with cross-functional teams to generate ideas and refine solutions. Key activities include:

• Defining User Journeys: Mapping user flows to visualize how people interact with the product and identify friction points.
• Sketching & Wireframing: Rapidly creating low-fidelity prototypes to communicate ideas, gather feedback, and iterate early.
• Validating Assumptions: Running usability tests or concept validation exercises to ensure the solution aligns with user needs and expectations.

This phase is iterative, collaborative, and rooted in feedback.

3) Design & Prototyping:
Bringing Ideas to Life

Once the concept is solidified, I transition into high-fidelity design, focusing on:

• Interaction & Visual Design: Crafting intuitive, pixel-perfect designs that align with brand guidelines and accessibility standards (WCAG compliance).
• Prototyping: Building interactive prototypes that simulate real-world use cases, enabling stakeholders and users to experience the product before development.
• Design Systems: Leveraging or creating scalable design systems to ensure consistency, efficiency, and ease of maintenance.

At this stage, I work closely with developers to ensure technical feasibility while maintaining the integrity of the design.

4) Testing & Refinement:
Iterating Towards Perfection (But starting with good enough)

Even the best designs require validation in real-world conditions. I conduct:

• Usability Testing: Observing users interact with prototypes to identify areas for improvement.
• Data Analysis: Leveraging analytics and A/B testing to assess how designs perform against key metrics.
• Continuous Feedback Loops: Collaborating with stakeholders, users, and developers to refine designs post-launch.

This phase ensures that the product not only looks good but also works seamlessly and meets user expectations.

5) Delivery & Beyond:
Sustaining Impact

Design doesn’t stop at launch. I see my role as ensuring the long-term success of the product by:

• Collaborating with Development Teams: Providing detailed handoffs, documentation, and ongoing support to maintain design quality during implementation.
• Measuring Success: Monitoring performance metrics to evaluate whether the product meets user and business goals.
• Iterating Post-Launch: Collecting user feedback and addressing new challenges as the product evolves.

Whew... still with me?

Why Work With Me?

I bring:

• Proven Results: Award-winning designs that drive engagement and elevate brands.
• Leadership Expertise: A track record of building and mentoring high-performing design teams.
• Creative Vision: The ability to translate big ideas into impactful products and experiences.
• Human-Centric Focus: A design philosophy rooted in empathy and understanding of real people.
• Hands-On Experience: Mastery across platforms, including interactive/multimedia products, responsive websites, native apps, and branding.

Let’s create something extraordinary together.