Our Favorite Stories

• Erin’s unconventional path to advertising—starting with an English and film degree, moving to Chicago, and launching a scrappy startup before breaking into UX.
• The “hot cake” corporate training at McDonald’s, where new hires spend a full day working in a restaurant, and how it shaped her design perspective.
• How McDonald’s global headquarters offers a rotating international menu, giving employees and customers a taste of different cultures.

Big Moments from Doing the Work

• Moving from startups and agencies to massive brands like Walmart and McDonald’s, learning to design for “everyone.”
• The balance between clarity and cleverness in UX—how focusing on human behavior and needs leads to better design.
• The reality of global UX at McDonald’s—creating a digital standard that works across diverse cultures while allowing for local customization.
• The importance of field research and real-world observation in UX, from drive-thru experiences to kiosk interactions.

Career Advice We'll Live With

• Selling your ideas is just as important as having great ones—whether it’s convincing a team or educating leadership on UX value.
• Designing for inclusivity starts at the beginning, not as a late-stage checklist.
• Patience is key in big organizations—meaningful change happens over years, not weeks.
• A great UX designer is also a great communicator—storytelling and persuasion matter just as much as technical skills.
• The best design teams take risks on unconventional hires, keeping the door open for fresh perspectives.

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