The person behind the work

Hey, I’m Devon. I’m from Queens, but was born in Manhattan. Growing up, I was surrounded by people who needed the world to work a certain way; my mom needed hearing aids, my older brother had a learning disability and all of my siblings and I needed glasses.

Accessibility wasn’t just a design principle learned in the halls of school, it was a way of life.

Growing up in Queens, I noticed when things were targeted for people who were different, those tactile dots at the end of the crosswalk so people with visual disabilities could know when they’ve reached the other side, things people would make fun of, like the bagel slicer or the thing that helps you put socks on easier. I would defend these things non-stop; because I was always helping my mom put on her socks, and would often think of ways that would make it easier for her. Even now, I’m developing carpal tunnel and a bagel slicer sounds like a dream.

When I first heard about UX, I looked into it and saw that the focus was creating amazing experiences for people in marginalized communities and that hooked me. Over time, I realized the reality is way more complex; business goals, constraints, and user needs all have to live together. Learning this made me even more interested in how I could get all of those to blend, and still hold space for accessibility.

The work that motivates me is Trust and Safety, accessibility and inclusion. I’ve been working in the T&S field for 5 years, and it has opened my eyes to different user behaviors and friction points in moderation systems, both for the moderators and the creators. I am naturally drawn to systems thinking; why an experience flows the way it does and what its purpose is, beyond just a screen.

Outside of design, I'm obsessed with bears, video games and puzzles. My favorite films are Brother Bear, Whiplash, and Everything Everywhere All at Once. If you can find the through line between those three, you probably get me better than anyone else.