About Me
George Hester
UX/UI Designer
George Hester
Hello, my friend! Step into my digital arena, where each pixel shares a story, and creativity has limitless possibilities! Embarking on a journey from the stages of a musician to navigating the vast landscapes of the digital domain, I've embraced the ebb and flow of creativity. Here, you'll get a front-row seat to the behind-the-scenes of my creative escapades. Let's embark on a virtual adventure together, where every click reveals a piece of the puzzle that is me.
My Journey. My Dream.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
— Lao Tzu
Back in 2012, I took the leap into the dynamic web design scene, but before that, my journey had its share of unique twists. As a globe-trotting musician, I absorbed the diverse melodies of different cultures and even graced the Broadway stage. Adding to the creative mix, I embraced the role of a drill designer for competitive marching bands, infusing formations and choreography with an energetic rhythm. Simultaneously, I freelanced for small businesses, bringing my passion for design to enhance their unique stories. Each step has been a whirlwind of learning and exploration, shaping my approach to design. Now, reflecting on these experiences, I'm eager to share the exciting chapters that have molded my creative journey. Stay tuned for more stories, adventures, and the vibrant tapestry of my design world.
Fast forward to today, and I'm knee-deep in the dynamic realm of user experience design. Beyond wireframes and pixels, my design escapades include logo crafting, branding, video production, photography, image retouching, 3D modeling, and animation/motion graphics. Because who said design can't have a bit of flair?
My fascination with art and design goes way back to elementary school, where I'd doodle concept vehicles and dream of becoming a professional designer. As technology caught up with my dreams, I seized the opportunity, enrolled in design and development courses, honed my skills, and landed my first gig at a professional agency in 2012. The rest, as they say, is history in the making.
Now, I'm living the dream, striving to be an innovator in our constantly evolving digital world. When I'm not immersed in design, you'll find me tuning into podcasts that discuss UX, fitness, and mental health. And nearly every evening, I'm nose-deep in a book exploring the wonders of Human-Centered Design, psychology, or anything that piques my interest.
In terms of inspirations, shoutouts go out to Don Norman, Chris Do, Simon Pan, Adham Dannaway, and the legendary Steve Jobs. And because life is too short not to have favorites, here are a few of mine: Star Wars, Starbucks, motorcycles, photography, Thai, Chinese or Korean BBQ food feasts, ice cream, sunshine, Avenir font, and TV show marathons featuring Westworld, LOST, Game of Thrones, Fringe, Black Mirror, The Office, Friends, and Scrubs.
Kudos
Stephen B."George is an exceptionally talented Experience Designer with a remarkable skill set in User Interface design. He has great proficiency in crafting intuitive and visually appealing interfaces. George has exceptional project management abilities and consistently demonstrated his capability to lead projects with precision, ensuring seamless coordination and delivery.”
Director of Experience Design
VML Detroit
My Services
What I Do
UX/UI Design
Web Development
Photo & Video
People Skills
User Experience
Communication
Empathy
Analytics
Curiosity
Software & Applications
Design Tools
Figma
Miro
Sketch
Adobe CC
Credentials
My Résumé
Current Favorite Music
Palemote
Slow Meadow
Current Favorite Book
Pocket Full Of Do
Chris Do
Work Life
My Career
Senior Experience Designer
VMLY&R
2021 - 2023
During my tenure at VMLY&R, I spearheaded transformative initiatives to elevate the digital experiences of renowned brands. At the forefront, I pioneered an innovative mobile redesign for Ford Parts ecommerce, strategically optimizing the user journey and leveraging valuable insights to enhance mobile interactions. This resulted in increased user engagement and heightened customer satisfaction.
Additionally, I played a pivotal role in the redesign of FordPass Rewards, orchestrating a seamless user experience by implementing updated UX and conducting extensive usability testing. This approach, rooted in customer motivations and loyalty program comprehension, contributed to a more user-centric platform.
Notably, my role in the Hill's Pet CX team led to conceptualizing and implementing innovative designs for future-state home page, article page, and product page layouts, positioning Hill's Pet for projected growth in online sales and garnering positive feedback from stakeholders.
Throughout these endeavors, my commitment was to create work that becomes an integral part of people's lives, driving value for our clients and leaving a lasting impact on the world.
UX/UI Designer
Circadian Risk
2020 - 2021
As the UX Designer at Circadian Risk, I translated complex security concepts into user-friendly digital solutions. I crafted intuitive flows, wireframes, and prototypes, ensuring user-centric design. Through rigorous research, testing, and collaboration with cross-functional teams, I optimized product features for heightened security and seamless user experience.
Web & Product Designer // UX Designer
Eview 360
2018 - 2019
At Eview, I embraced cutting-edge technologies such as VR gaming and AR app design and development. My experience included in-depth work with Unreal Engine 4, where I delved into the realms of 3D gaming, front-end design/development, and UX. It was an exhilarating journey of exploration and creativity!
UX/UI Designer // Web Design Lead
The JRT Agency
2015 - 2018
At JRT, I spearheaded the front-end design for the Mopar Dealer Site, a pivotal dealer support portal catering to FCA dealerships throughout the USA and Canada. In addition to my core responsibilities, I actively engaged in UX activities during a comprehensive site redesign. This involved crafting user flows, journey mapping, empathy sessions, and A/B testing. Collaborating with a dynamic team of 25, we invested significant overtime to design, rebuild, and successfully launch the project. The camaraderie and talent of this team remain unmatched in my professional experience—true all-stars!
As my tenure progressed, I advanced to the role of Web Design Lead, where I oversaw the digital design team and managed diverse tasks across the department. My focus encompassed front-end design, front-end development, email marketing, and steering a brand refresh along with a website redesign for The JRT Agency in 2018.
Senior Web Developer
SSDM
2014 - 2015
SSDM was the launching pad for my career as a full-time web developer. Leveraging skills honed in backend development, API utilization, and database management from my previous role, I fearlessly tackled challenging tasks from day one.
As my journey at SSDM progressed, I embraced the opportunity to delve into front-end web design. This phase saw me actively involved in crafting brand identities, designing ads, creating compelling presentations, and customizing website themes. My time at SSDM fueled my appetite for design and a relentless commitment to enhancing user experience.
Web Developer
Basso
2012 - 2014
At Basso, I entered the web design and development field, balancing part-time contracting with my studies at The Art Institute.
My role centered on daily tasks such as front-end maintenance, copy editing, and occasional design adjustments. Proficient in WordPress, raw HTML/CSS, PHP, JavaScript, ASP.net, Visual Basic, and MySQL for database management.
School Life
My Education
Music Performance - Trumpet
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor
Before venturing into the world of web design, my journey began as a musician. From starting to play the trumpet in 6th grade to enrolling in one of the state's most prestigious music schools at the University of Michigan, I found myself immersed in a world where my passion for music thrived. In college, I embraced every opportunity to contribute to various music ensembles, excluding the marching band. To this day, I am grateful to be a Wolverine, having pursued a degree that allowed me to play the music I love. As a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity - Epsilon Chapter, I cherish the musical camaraderie and the unforgettable experiences. OAS AAS LLS!
Web Design
The Art Institute of Michigan
Novi
Choosing the Art Institute for my studies in web design wasn't my initial preference, but it stood out as one of the few schools near home offering a Bachelor's degree in the field. While pursuing this degree, financial constraints prevented me from completing the program. Reflecting on my experience, I acknowledge the positive aspects of my time at Ai. However, given the chance to go back, I would opt for a degree in Graphic Design, allowing me to delve into typography and illustration courses that weren't part of the assigned curriculum in the Web Design program.
Web App Development
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor
My journey continued at Washtenaw Community College, where I dedicated several semesters to honing my skills in web design and front-end development. Taking courses aligned with the Web Application Development certificate program, I navigated a challenging PHP class during an unending winter semester. Despite the difficulty, I found genuine enjoyment in mastering the intricacies of PHP, further fueling my passion for web development.