Chris Foerstel is a UX Designer and musician living in Seattle. Having a deep love of collaboration, Chris is ready to work with any team to achieve intelligent and intuitive experiences.

I think about design all of the time, as I am always trying to utilize my day in the most efficient manner. This is, of course, so I have more time to relax after my daily goals have been achieved. When I was growing up, I realized that finding the smoothest and fastest way to a solution was key to my success in school and music. Within this approach, I learned that listening was vitally important. Not just to the expert in the room, but also to those who had questions and concerns. Recognizing where difficulties most commonly arose, in all disciplines, has always aided my learning process. And, teaching someone from multiple viewpoints can really help affect understanding and potential.

I recognized that my orderly approach to work and music, when mixed with my willingness to be wrong and learn, made me an intuitive collaborator. I enjoy knowing the “why” that is behind the things we do each day, because it broadens my understanding across disciplines. And when I teach or mentor, explaining the “why” when asking them to do something is often just as important as the skill or task itself.

I’ve always been highly empathetic, and that aspect has helped me succeed both when working with colleagues and customers, and to be a better human within our society. Whatever the task at hand, from designing a mobile game to coordinating music for the newlywed’s first dance, I strive to keep all parties feeling heard and respected, while also being considerate of competing goals about which someone must eventually compromise.