Me

I am Christopher Octa, currently a UX designer based in Atlanta, Georgia.

In a previous life (5+ years ago), I was a web developer (.NET technologies). I've also done some professional photography.

I'm very interested in fostering the relationship between a business and customer through great user experience and product design where problems and users are clearly defined and central to the crafting of the solution.

Where do I see myself in 5 years? My time as an individual contributor on a development team and a design team has led me wanting to pursue more responsibility in guiding cross-functional teams to create the right product and coming up with long-term product strategy as it relates to achieving company goals. At the same time, I also see myself becoming more entrenched in UX so having the opportunity to build out processes and teams that help deliver on UX strategy for a company would be something I would like to pursue as well. Therefore I can see myself either transitioning into a product manager role or into a managerial UX role.

To get there regardless if it's on the product management or UX track, I feel developing my skill set in thinking at a strategic level and having a better understanding of product, business and marketing will help me get there as well as collaborating with cross-functional individuals both new and masters in those fields to sharpen and better inform the skillsets I have today.

The Design of Everyday Things
by Donald Norman

Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products
by Nir Eyal