About
After earning top honours with a BSc in International Fashion Marketing from Manchester Metropolitan University, I plunged into an exciting career in the fashion sector. Working for the likes of Liberty of London and Acne Studio. This journey honed my skills in various aspects of branding, marketing, and project oversight, as I collaborated with fashion institutions.
However, my focus began to shift. More and more, I found myself intrigued by the stories told by the wearers of these clothes, not just the clothes themselves. Driven by this newfound curiosity, I switched to looking more to strategy and asking trying to understand why people do the things they do.
This rich blend of experiences led to a career pivot: entering the rapidly evolving world of User Experience Research. In my time with companies NBrown and IKAWA Coffee, I've become a driving force in UX strategy and research. At NBrown, my fresh perspectives and methodologies showcase the transformative power of well-executed research.
While at IKAWA Coffee, I directed various customer-centric projects and led workshops focusing on strategic growth. Utilising a range of research techniques—from diary studies to tree testing—
I've ensured all products meet the stringent WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards and have developed my toolkit -thanks to my fluency in platforms such as UserTesting.com and Glassbox.
Leadership is another forte of mine; I've guided a young team of researchers, nurturing their early career stages into professional competence - and there is nothing better than seeing someone grow. My strength lies in distilling complicated data into straightforward, actionable insights, making me both an effective leader and communicator.
Although work is a significant part of my life, it doesn't eclipse the importance of work-life balance. Currently splitting my time between Shropshire and London, I've adapted to a variety of work environments, whether remote or in-office. My diverse interests range from advocating for sustainable lifestyles to designing my own line of jewellery. I'm also a culinary enthusiast, always eager to explore emerging food and drink trends.
To bolster my skills further, I've pursued additional training, completing various courses from reputable platforms like General Assembly on topics as varied as product management and basic data science skills like SQL. Now with over 5 years experience as a Senior User Experience Researcher
In summary, my professional journey unites the distinct realms of fashion, psychology, and user experience research, creating a dynamic, multifaceted portfolio. Be it conducting comprehensive SWOT analyses, developing detailed user personas, or crafting effective UX narratives, each aspect of my skill set contributes to a deeper understanding of user needs and an unyielding commitment to improving the user experience.
Recent Experience
User Experience Researcher | NBrown
User Research Researcher | IKAWA Coffee
Formulated and implemented internal onboarding processes for more effective research.
Facilitated collaborative relationships with stakeholders, enhancing the communication of UX feedback.
Conducted usability testing with higher fidelity prototypes to refine the user experience.
Mentored and managed a team of research graduates, fostering their development in the UX field.
Headed customer-focused initiatives, such as week-long Sprint workshops for strategic growth.
Advocated a mixed-method approach to research, utilising both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Employed a variety of research techniques like diary studies, card sorting, tree testing, and both moderated and unmoderated usability tests
Presented our user-centric processes and approaches at the RCA - The importance of understanding your user. To the start-up and innovation incubator participants.
Additional Qualifications
Personal Attributes
Areas of Expertise
Skills and Tools
Understanding Your Stack - General Assembly
Product Management - GA
User Experience Methods -GA
Understanding your User - GA
Basic SQL - With Andrew Justice Data Scientist.
Trends and Forecasting Masterclass - The Future Laboratory
Human Behaviour - Udemy
Active Listening - Udemy
Intro - Generative AI - Google Cloud
Committed lifelong learner with a focus on ongoing skill and knowledge development.
Strong belief in work-life integration, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
Effective communicator capable of distilling complex data into actionable insights.
Proven team leader with experience in mentoring younger talent.
Adaptable to varied work environments, be it remote or in-person.
Highly empathetical
UX Methodologies: Quant and qual - ranging from interview to tree-testing
Usability & Accessibility: WCAG 2.1 compliance, platforms like UserTesting.com.
Design & Analysis: Personas, Journey maps, SWOT Analysis, Competitive Benchmarking
Data Analysis: Qualitative and quantitative methods.
Communication & Leadership: Team management, stakeholder engagement, mentoring graduates, and hiring team members.
Testimonials from those I have worked with
I've seen firsthand how Harriet has provided many great insights on IKAWA customers through her UX research. She is curious and detailed in her work, and obviously cares about the people she's connecting with!
— Geoff Woodly Product Manager
I had the privilege of working alongside Harriet for almost two years. The level of care and detail that she takes in everything that she does is admirable. In the two years that we worked to get her, I learned so much from her compassion for our customers and her commitment to delivering a positive user experience.
Harriet is an asset to any organisation that strives to put the customer first, to challenge the status quo, and to invent solutions for positive change.
—Emily Jackson, Product Manager
Harriet was pivotal in adding strategic direction to our roadmap and product development cycles. Without her insight, we would have been purely guessing. Free of ego and her own opinions she is able to focus on the user whilst employing strategic, critical thinking to identify clear areas of opportunity.