I am at work, at home, in a store, riding a train, riding in a car, sitting on my couch. I have a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, a desktop. I multi-task ALL the time. I am transient, I am never in one spot for very long. I watch TV and shop online [...]
The Team
bethany lankin
Senior UX ArchitectDennis Schleicher
Executive Producer, GameOnJudy Cheske
Senior Project ManagerKarol Czyrka
UX Practice DirectorKevin Flowers
Copy Managerlindsay pinkston
Super AdminMichael Simborg
Principal User Experience, Digital Innovation GroupPete Simon
Principal EmeritusRod Rakic
Director, Digital Innovation GroupSam Rhee
Sharon Sprague
Senior Copywriter, Digital Innovation GroupSvilen Stoicheff
Manager, Web DevelopmentVictor.Pinto
Z.
UX Project Manager
Karol Czyrka
UX Practice Director
I am 15+ year veteran of designing user experiences. I started my career in the field of interior design and architecture and have transferred my skills to the digital space. In general, I love beautiful things. Specifically, I am passionate about making things easy to use. My philosophy is that I am the advocate for the user, and I need to make sure their goals have equal voice at the table with technology and business goals.
When I am not working, chances are you will find me planning a vacation to a far flung corner of the world. My hobbies aslo include cooking, baking and eating. Photography plays a role in both of these and I have plans to create my own cookbook soon. Last, but not least, my personal philosophy is that a new pair of shoes is always a good idea.
Links of Interest to Karol Czyrka
12/01/2011
Sears is sold out, and so is the Groupon - but you can find one here for only $28
11/28/2011
06/30/2011
There have a been a lot of conversations surrounding what and how we present ideas in the UX group. I thought it might be time to resurrect a really great resource. Below is a link to a recording of Bill Buxton’s presentation in Savannah in 2008 (link to
06/30/2011
Bill’s approach is two fold. He speaks about what to show to whom and when, that the type pf presentation is important. And, he talks about the work prior to and right after the presentation of the design work. Much of that is details in his book, “sketch
05/19/2011
Great article from Smashing Magazine today
Recent blog posts written by Karol Czyrka
Please Don’t Take the Name of the Customer in Vain
Your client says, “We are doing this for our customer.” Your response is somewhere between, “But, of course“ and ”Yay!” Then your customer continues, “Our customers are visual, this visual navigation will be so much better.” or “Our customers told us they want to filter by these 25 different attributes.” You are just biding your [...]
Despite our Natural Fear of Change, We Still do It
Why do we resist change when someone else suggests it? Is is inherent in all of us just to be stubborn? Is it pure human nature? Is it because the person promoting the change doesn’t clearly articulate the benefits to us? There have been many articles written about people resisting change and the potential trouble [...]
Using Survey Feedback as an Input, not a Mandate
This past weekend was a big one for the city of Chicago. Not only did the city host the Big Ten Basketball tournament, but it was St. Patrick’s day which came filled with its traditions (dying the river green) and shenanigans. We are also in the beginning of Spring Break season. What this means to [...]
Go Ahead, Look at Things Upside Down
As a kid, I used to lay on the couch and imagine what it would be like if the house were flipped upside down, that the ceiling was the floor, and the floor the ceiling. Getting from room to room would be more challenging that’s for sure; you would have to step over the upper [...]
How to Wrangle a 30 Lb Turkey
My husband and I participate in a chicken & egg CSA from a fantastic farmer, Paul Soule of Paulies Pastures. He has the best eggs in town, in my opinion. They have gorgeous, tall yolks of the most beautiful goldenrod color. In addition, on certain occasions, we are able to purchase other locally, sustainably raised [...]
Moving Offices; how to Move the Culture, too
The inspiration for this post comes from a chat I recently had with Rod, the director of our Digital Innovation Group. While I have been tasked with helping to make sure our move to our new offices is seamless and fun, that the offices are clean and welcoming, and that everyone knows where they sit, [...]
Putting Your Website on a Diet
Every Wednesday here at agencyState we have a design review with our VP. While he claims to be an engineer and defers on passing judgement on most aspects of design, he does bring a pair of fresh eyes to all of our work. One of his common opening lines is, “in a world where every [...]
Be Quick, Be Nimble
Are you a fast walker? If you are, you know how frustrating it is to walk behind someone who is not. And how it’s even more frustrating to walk behind someone who is a slow walker and tends to amble from one side of the sidewalk or hallway to another. It’s almost as if they [...]
Acknowledge, Embrace and Empower
How many times have you been involved in creating new processes, only to have them not go as expected when implemented? There is most likely a common denominator in these processes that go awry – the wily human. Some examples from my past include the following: TSA: For years I traveled through Chicago O’Hare international [...]