In the last few years, I’ve been spending more time developing my platform as an advocate for plant-based eating. But, it hasn’t always been my full-time vocation. While I did graduate from culinary school, work in restaurants, start a personal chef business and have been writing about food for several years, my “day job” has been in the field of user experience design.

What is user experience (UX) design? It’s the experience of how a person interacts with a system such as a website or application on a computer, mobile or other touchscreen device. A UX designer ensures that the flow of information is intuitive for people so they can accomplish their goals, whether it’s to research a vacation or stream a movie. When you consider the user experience, you’re ensuring that any steps are intuitive, navigation is clear and efficient, and the overall experience is satisfying. We live in an increasingly complicated world of applications, devices and software, and user experience is a relatively new discipline that deals with the way a person feels when interacting with systems.

Not surprisingly, understanding the user’s needs is paramount to a good user experience. If the user feels their needs aren’t being met, or they’re confused about how to interact with a website or application, they’re likely to give up altogether.

“Well, that’s random,” I often hear. Being a UX designer and a chef/writer/food advocate seem quite different, and I agree. I tell people that the design side of my personality is more conceptual and non-linear, whereas my passion for food and cooking is grounded in immediate, tactile things. (At the end of the day, you don’t always get to see your designs implemented, but you can bang out a delicious meal). So, in a sense, the two skillsets are complimentary.

There are surprising similarities as well, and I’ve started thinking that user experience design and creating a platform to advocate for healthy, plant-based eating are simply different manifestations of the same skills. Practically speaking, I have a keen sense of technology trends, and knowledge of the tools and techniques needed to help people through interactive media. I work in a highly creative, collaborative environment continuously iterating, revising and troubleshooting my work to make it better. Communication skills are essential, as I’m routinely presenting my ideas to people, or writing about them.

But what I’ve found to be the most essential skill from user experience that I’ve parlayed to help others transition to a plant-based diet is a strong sense of empathy. A critical component of a UX designer’s work is getting out into the field, observing and interviewing people about their needs and goals, and then designing products to serve them. Engaging with people about plant-based eating has allowed me to uncover pitfalls people encounter when trying to eat healthy, and recognize patterns of behavior that prevent people from reaching their goals. This has inspired me to develop a new career creating tools and resources to guide and support people on their journey to a plant-based lifestyle.

Whether designing a mobile application to help someone manage their blood pressure, or laying out a plan to help my clients and readers improve their eating habits through a series of small, manageable changes, understanding the users’ needs is paramount. Transitioning to a plant-based diet is a process that requires care and consideration, and is not without its challenges. My goal is to provide a clear, manageable way forward to a healthy, plant-based lifestyle that’s not only understandable but enriching. Helping people change the way they eat, and the gift of seeing them succeed is the most profound and rewarding aspect of my career.

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