When Robert first heard the term information architect, it immediately captured his imagination. “A friend asked if I was interested in a role at his company for an information architect,” he recalls. “I had never heard that job title before – but it was my first exposure to what we now think of as the broader field of user experience design.”
With a background in journalism and English, Robert was drawn to the idea of a profession that combined communication, structure, and creativity. “That title really resonated with me,” he says. “It represented a field that differed from what I had studied but still required many of the skills I had acquired – organizing, writing, and storytelling with clarity.”
Robert’s approach to design is all about deconstructing complexity. “I like tackling big problems by breaking them down into smaller pieces and then organizing them again in ways that work better,” he explains. Creating user journeys helps with that process – mapping each step a person takes through a complicated experience and designing for both clarity and delight. “It’s about anticipating pain points and sometimes even digitizing a formerly non-digital part of the experience to make it more seamless.”
He especially enjoys the ideation phase – when the process starts out messy, exploratory, and undefined, but eventually leads to a simple, elegant solution. “That’s when you realize it just works.”
Before joining Knox Design Strategy, Robert worked across a remarkable range of industries, including automotive, ecommerce, finance, hospitality, media, non-profit, real estate, and telecommunications. That diversity honed his ability to adapt design thinking to different audiences, technologies, and user needs.
“I was excited to work in an area that was largely new to me,” Robert says about joining Knox. “The opportunity to work on a complex SaaS product like Moxx promised to be fascinating and full of new challenges – all while collaborating with an incredibly bright and creative team.”
Collaboration, in fact, is one of Robert’s favorite parts of the role. “I love working with creative people to approach complex problems and drive toward effective solutions,” he says. “I also always hope to make sure everyone I’m working with feels supported and enabled to do their best work.”
Robert stays current with design trends and technology through a mix of curiosity and habit. “I learn a lot by following designers and tech journalists whose judgment I trust – through social media, newsletters, and podcasts,” he says. “And I have an ever-growing library of books on digital design and technology.”
He also finds creative inspiration in reading, music, and movement. “I read a lot, listen to music constantly, and find that even a walk around the neighborhood can spark ideas. It’s amazing how often inspiration strikes when you step away from the desk.”
Outside of work, Robert spends his time exploring New York City with his camera in hand – often turning those long walks into photographic adventures. He’s even exhibited his photography in several shows around the city. And in case you’re wondering how far his sense of adventure goes – he once took part in a polar bear plunge in Antarctica.
