Molly Hillstrom
experience strategy • user research • product design
I’m a freelance Product Designer with 20+ years of experience working with a wide variety of organizations and industries.
I will help you make better stuff
Let’s get to know your users. What problems do they have? How can technology help your business better meet their needs?
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Research + Strategy
Research is the backbone of all UX work. I partner with my clients to better understand their users’ most pressing problems and uncover ways in which technology can facilitate solutions.
Activities + Deliverables:
Interview + focus group facilitation
Usability studies
Persona development
Journey mapping
Strategy + co-design workshops
Experience strategy + guiding principles
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Content + Design
This is where the rubber hits the road, and where collaboration with my client is key. Together, we apply the insights uncovered by research, to plan out a new product or feature.
We’ll focus on users’ needs as well as your business objectives to identify the pathways of the experience.
Activities + Deliverables:
Wireframes
Rapid iterative prototyping
Visual + interaction design
Accessibility + inclusive design
Animation
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Experience Leadership
I want your business to continue practicing human-centered design, even after my contract has ended.
With my guidance, and through our collaboration, we will cover the steps of building a compelling product vision that is ready to inspire your organization.
Activities + Deliverables:
Human-centered design education
Mentorship of junior UX staff
Concept + vision building
Public Speaking
I’ve worked with a rich diversity of organizations during my career. As a result, I bring a well-rounded and pragmatic perspective to my work.
Many businesses don’t invest in user research or experience design because of the associated expenses. Yet, it has been found that every $1.00 invested in the user experience results in a return of $100.00
Investing in UX is an obvious choice
9,990% ROI
Source: Forrester – The Six Steps for Justifying Better UX, December 28, 2016
“Molly is able to clearly articulate the purpose for strategic initiatives, the what and the why, to get people aligned and moving in a forward-direction when others struggle or get lost in a rabbit hole.“
— Mariah Westrum, Content Strategist
My Process
also the human-centered design process
01. Discovery
Unearth insights about your users. Gain empathy for their challenges.
02. Strategy
Define objectives and frame the problem. Find the intersection of business goals and user needs.
03. Design
Generate ideas and identify opportunities for design. Make prototypes.
04. Test
Get feedback from users to gain deeper insights. Validate decisions, and iterate.
As a UX generalist, I can dive deep and reach across the entire UX spectrum. From start to code, I’m there every step of the way. I’m comfortable talking to your CEO as well as your most junior developer. I know the ropes, and I’ll hit the ground running.
Check out my collection of client stories to get a sense for the way I work with clients.
“Molly has a rare combination of skills: first rate visual and user experience design combined with strong usability testing and a solid command of what’s possible in front-end code.”
– Eric Zimmerman, Chief Marketing Officer
Get the expert, but without the salary requirements
Because I’m an independent consultant, and I usually work part-time with multiple clients concurrently, I’m able to provide my broad UX skillset to clients at a fraction of the cost of an in-house UX team or agency.
Want to see if I’m a good fit for your next project?
Agencies: I’m a great addition to your contractor bench
I love working with agencies. If you’re managing a busy team, and you are getting more work than you can handle, let’s make a connection.