HEATHER FORD

Artist Statement 

My work combines human-centered design, drawing and illustration, experience design, typography, animation, installation, and graphic design. I explore innovative, exciting user-centered design experiences, methods, and strategies that involve user interface, user experience, and illustration. The work includes visual design, the user’s environment, circumstances, and a variety of individual senses. When creating, the goal is to consider the person’s perception, context, environment, and physical space as they engage with the design methodology.

 

Through visual communication, user experience, and illustration, I combine consciousness, spirituality, and data in relation to technology to create immersive digital experiences. My work merges traditional fine art with technology-driven experience design, science, and spirit.

 

When creating, I quiet my mind, keep my heart open, and become more grounded in my innermost presence. As a spiritualist, I have found that gratitude and blessings can expand outward, offering good intentions for the entire world and all beings.

 

Design Statement

The focus of my work is on how art and design can unite members of the community who often do not communicate, and how, by relating to one another, they can create humanitarian solutions. My design work merges traditional fine art and technology-driven user experience design through a human-first process. I believe that design and art can be functional in creating beautiful experiences that improve and enhance people’s lives.

 

My design work often combines creative practice with service. Many of my exhibitions involve physical interaction with drawings and digital works. I have explored creating digital, interactive, immersive installation experiences that produce a personal sanctuary of meditation, healing, serenity, and euphoria for the viewer.

 

The sequence of interactions between a user (an individual) and a system, whether virtual or physical, is designed to meet or support the user’s needs and goals. My work encompasses research, analysis, drawing, and design. User testing is essential, as designers often struggle to intuitively understand how users will perceive and use their designs. My goal is to create an intuitive experience that resonates more deeply with a person, ultimately driving engagement and growth.

 

Bio 

Heather is an Associate Professor of Design and the Art and Design Chair at Bradley University. She has a Master’s of Fine Arts degree from Bradley University and a BFA from the Illinois Institute of Art, both in Graphic and Interactive Design. She has been a professional in the design industry for over twenty years, with extensive experience in fine art, digital creative, and UI/UX across commercial and academic sectors. Heather is highly experienced in applying user experience design and research methodologies to websites, mobile, branding, and product design. She has been a designer for several Fortune 500 clients, working with companies and organizations such as Apple, OSF, U.S. Air Force, Maui Jim, United Way, NASA, Museum of Science and Industry, Nike, and Home Depot, utilizing a User-Centered Design (UCD) approach. Her art and design research and personal works merge the areas of fine art and technology-driven interactive experiences with a scientific process. She explores innovative, exciting user-centered design experiences, methods, and strategies that integrate user interface, user experience, and fine art. Heather develops innovative and exciting UCD skills, processes, and strategies that involve user participation across both fine art and digital environments. She combines human-centered experiences, incorporating drawings and illustrations, user interface and experience design, typography, printmaking, animation, and graphic design skills and techniques. When designing, the goal is to consider the human’s perception, context, environment, and physical space as they experience a new design methodology.