About me
My name is Willow Lafone. I’m a UX designer passionate about crafting digital experiences that are both intuitive and meaningful. By combining my knowledge of UX best practices with a design thinking mindset, I transform complex problems into simple, elegant solutions that balance functionality and beauty.
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I’m known for maintaining a meticulous eye for detail while working efficiently to deliver high-quality, pixel-perfect designs and complete design flows at speed. My colleagues often describe me as the ‘quiet conqueror’—someone who approaches every challenge with focus, reliability, and results.
My experience spans UX and Visual design, marketing asset creation, illustration, and the management and development of design systems. I’ve had the privilege of contributing to award-winning products recognized with multiple honors, including Gold and Silver Indigo Awards, W3 Awards, and a Stratus Award.
Education & Skills
North Carolina State University​, 2014-Dec 2017
Bachelor of Graphic Design, Summa Cum Laude.
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Prague Institute, Czech Republic, Summer 2016
Studied Photography.
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Appalachian State University, 2012-2014
Graphic Design.
SAS Accessible Data
Fall 2016, nine-week collaborative class project with SAS located in Raleigh, NC. Gained training in accessibility in design and User Experience. Our group of five developed an app prototype that utilized data visualization for users with low vision. Later was honored to present to the Chancellor of NC State and the College of Design.
Awards
Outstanding Technical Achievement Award 2021
Awarded for leadership in designing a dynamic custom theming experience for Red Hat Marketplace Select.
IBM Trailblazer Award 2021
Trailblazers are recognized for their exemplary growth mindset, innovation, and advocacy. They have gone above and beyond their scope of work to deliver remarkable outcomes, all while making IBM a great place to work.
"Willow is an irreplaceable addition to the RHM design team. Her visual design contributions allow RHM's website to stand out and provide a delightful user experience compared to competitors in the market. Willow is the quiet conqueror on our team. She is always behind the scenes producing all the things that make Red Hat Marketplace outstanding. Anytime someone on the team needs visual or ux support, she is the first person to jump up and jump in to help. Almost every component and illustration in our library has Willow's stamp on it! Her willingness to support other team members, bring new ideas, and work collaboratively is why she deserves the trailblazer award. We are so thankful for her contributions!"
Experience
I'm currently working as a Visual Designer at IBM.
Check out my LinkedIn profile or resume to see my full work history.
