Spotlight: Brandon E.B. Ward

Brandon E.B. Ward is a UX Director for Precocity. Though Brandon has only been with Precocity for short time, he has made a huge impact on our clients and projects overall.

Tell us about yourself, Brandon!

1. In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception people have about UX?

The biggest misconception of UX is that it’s difficult, magical, mystical stuff. It’s not. It comes down to three things: What is the problem? Who has said problem? In what context? If you can figure out the answer to those three questions, everything tends to fall into place. People get into trouble when they have too many opinions about things regarding human interaction. The fact is our opinions matter very little. Solving problems for people in the proper context matters a lot. A good UX designer may design an experience they hate, but if it perfectly solves the customer’s problems in the customer’s context and helps them be a rock-star at their task, everyone wins.

2. If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day, who would it be and why?

Hugh Jackman. In a lot of ways we’re similar: singers, actors, dancers, fighters. He just happens to be really successful at all of them and is devastatingly handsome. I mean, the guy’s at least a demigod, and my wife would be forever grateful 😉

3. What hobbies do you have outside of work?

Well, per question two, I love to sing, act, dance, and fight. I would’ve been PERFECT for West Side Story :). I have two bachelor’s degrees in music (vocal performance, theory, and composition), a bachelor’s degree in acting, and a master’s degree in interactive media design. I love dancing at clubs (mostly techno) as well as swing and ballroom. I’ve also trained in three styles of Kung Fu, and continue to do so with my kids. I love working on old cars, building things with wood, and designing and making decorative items for the home.

4. What accomplishments are you most proud of?

I served a two-year mission in the Philippines, learned to love the Philippine people, and speak Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and Tagalog.

I convinced a gorgeous girl to spend more than a few minutes with me (with my dancing of course), and here we are, 17.5 years later, happily married. We’ve never had a fight. Ever.

I’m proud of my four amazing kids. They teach me something new every day.

We watch a lot of movies on the home theater we won from WIRED magazine with this video.

5. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.

I hope to someday get hair transplants, and live in an off-the-grid homestead that somehow also has Google Fiber. In the mountains. Near a tropical beach. Hey, a boy can dream…