Welcome to My Portfolio

Thank you for visiting! I’m Michael Lay, a UX Designer passionate about creating meaningful, user-centered experiences through strategic design and research. My mission is to craft solutions that are not only visually engaging but also grounded in usability, accessibility, and data-driven insights.

Who I Am

I began my career as a front-end developer and graphic designer, which gave me a strong foundation in visual design and interface development. Over time, I realized my true passion lies in designing experiences, not writing code. This led me to transition into UX design, where I focus on the user, usability, and research-driven decision-making.

Today, I thrive on asking “why,” observing user behavior, and applying qualitative and quantitative research to inform design strategies. My approach combines user empathy, data insights, and iterative testing to deliver products that delight users and meet business goals.

My Design Philosophy

• User-Centered Design: Every decision starts with understanding the user’s needs, goals, and pain points.

• Strategic Thinking: I align design solutions with business objectives to create measurable impact.

• Research-Driven: From usability testing to analytics, I leverage data to validate and refine design choices.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: I believe great design should be usable by everyone, regardless of ability.

My Journey

• Education: B.S. in Web Design from Full Sail University, Orlando, FL.

• Career Path: From graphic design and front-end development to UI/UX design, focusing on interaction design and user research.

• Passions Beyond Work: Sports, weightlifting, the outdoors, music, and traditional art—all of which inspire creativity and balance.

Core Skills

• UX Research: Usability testing, user interviews, heuristic evaluations.

• UI Design: Wireframes, prototypes, design systems, responsive design.

• Tools: Figma, Adobe XD, Microsoft 368, Teams, PowerBI, and more.

• Collaboration: Working closely with developers, product managers, buisiness analysts, and stakeholders to deliver seamless experiences.

Looking Ahead

I’m seeking my next great opportunity to design impactful experiences and contribute to a team that values innovation, research, and user empathy. If you’re looking for a designer who combines creativity with strategic thinking, let’s connect!