About · Designer · Colorado

About Me Hello I'm Liz!

Hello, I’m Liz! I’m a UI/UX designer passionate about inclusive and accessible design. Designing for people with disabilities can make things better for everyone.

Portrait of Elizabeth Dahlenburg

Why I design

I graduated from Purdue University with majors in Computer Graphics Technology and Web Development and Design. My career started in UI development, but I quickly moved into UI/UX design when I realized that design was where my heart was. My technical background helps me understand how ideas become products. But what brings me the most joy is solving people’s frustrations, advocating for users, and making products they enjoy using. UX brought together the things I care about most: understanding people, solving problems, and making experiences easier to use.

My accessibility certifications

I’ve earned three accessibility certifications from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP): the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC), Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS), and Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA). Together, they reflect my understanding of accessibility principles, disability and assistive technology, and the technical work involved in building and evaluating accessible digital experiences.

The things that keep me curious.

Beautiful Scenery

Getting outside is part of my everyday life. Whether I’m exploring or simply enjoying the scenery, time in nature leaves me refreshed and at peace.

FUN FACT

My goal is to visit every US national park in my lifetime.

Cooking & Baking

I’ve loved food since childhood. I enjoy spending hours exploring a recipe and turning it into something delicious.

FUN FACT

I rarely make the same recipe twice. There are too many new ones to try!

Always Learning

I love being a student and finding new ways to grow. I’m especially curious about design techniques and accessibility, and how they can help more people use what I create.

FUN FACT

I became a UI/UX designer to design for people with disabilities.

My Process

I adapt my process to the problem, the people, and the project’s constraints. Research, accessibility, and collaboration guide my decisions, with feedback shaping the work throughout.

01

Understand the problem

I start by talking with product partners to understand the request, the people it affects, and the outcome we’re working toward. I clarify assumptions, constraints, and what we still need to learn.

02

Research and make sense of the findings

I choose research methods based on the questions we need to answer. These may include user interviews, competitor analysis, and card sorting. I turn the findings into priorities, requirements, information architecture, and user flows.

03

Explore with wireframes

I start with pen-and-paper sketches to explore ideas quickly, focusing on structure and flow.

04

Develop medium-fidelity designs and check feasibility

I develop the wireframes into more defined layouts, clarifying content, navigation, and interactions. I then review the designs with technical leads and adjust where needed based on what’s feasible.

05

Create high-fidelity designs and prototypes

I refine the visual details and create an interactive prototype, bringing the content, interactions, and accessibility considerations together.

06

Test and refine

I test the prototype with users and use the findings to improve the experience, revisiting earlier decisions when needed.

07

Build together

I walk developers through the design, its behavior, and the reasoning behind it. I document interaction states and accessibility requirements, answer questions during implementation, and review the built experience with the team.

08

Learn after launch

I review feedback and available evidence to understand how the experience performs. I identify what needs improvement and work with the team to prioritize the next changes.

What it feels like to work together.

“In the few years I have worked with Elizabeth, she has quickly grown into an expert designer with a talent for both user interface and user experience design. She is a strong advocate for the end user, and has been essential in driving a design culture focused on accessibility and inclusivity.

Elizabeth was integral to developing our current design system, and ensuring it's adoption across product teams. Elizabeth's dedication, expertise, and passion for user-centered design make her an invaluable asset to any team fortunate enough to have her onboard.”

Bret Schwalb

UX Product Design Leader

“Liz is a passionate and driven UI/UX designer, who pushes and promotes best-practice across all business stakeholders and external parties.

She provides tremendous support as a team mate @ Discover, always on hand to critique, validate and analyze design problems, proposed solutions and always ready to conduct insightful user interviews.”

Craig Kean

Product Design Leader

About · Designer · Colorado

About Me Hello I'm Liz!

Hello, I’m Liz! I’m a UI/UX designer passionate about inclusive and accessible design. Designing for people with disabilities can make things better for everyone.

Portrait of Elizabeth Dahlenburg

Why I design

I graduated from Purdue University with majors in Computer Graphics Technology and Web Development and Design. My career started in UI development, but I quickly moved into UI/UX design when I realized that design was where my heart was. My technical background helps me understand how ideas become products. But what brings me the most joy is solving people’s frustrations, advocating for users, and making products they enjoy using. UX brought together the things I care about most: understanding people, solving problems, and making experiences easier to use.

My accessibility certifications

I’ve earned three accessibility certifications from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP): the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC), Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS), and Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA). Together, they reflect my understanding of accessibility principles, disability and assistive technology, and the technical work involved in building and evaluating accessible digital experiences.

The things that keep me curious.

Beautiful Scenery

Getting outside is part of my everyday life. Whether I’m exploring or simply enjoying the scenery, time in nature leaves me refreshed and at peace.

FUN FACT

My goal is to visit every US national park in my lifetime.

Cooking & Baking

I’ve loved food since childhood. I enjoy spending hours exploring a recipe and turning it into something delicious.

FUN FACT

I rarely make the same recipe twice. There are too many new ones to try!

Always Learning

I love being a student and finding new ways to grow. I’m especially curious about design techniques and accessibility, and how they can help more people use what I create.

FUN FACT

I became a UI/UX designer to design for people with disabilities.

My Process

I adapt my process to the problem, the people, and the project’s constraints. Research, accessibility, and collaboration guide my decisions, with feedback shaping the work throughout.

01

Understand the problem

I start by talking with product partners to understand the request, the people it affects, and the outcome we’re working toward. I clarify assumptions, constraints, and what we still need to learn.

02

Research and make sense of the findings

I choose research methods based on the questions we need to answer. These may include user interviews, competitor analysis, and card sorting. I turn the findings into priorities, requirements, information architecture, and user flows.

03

Explore with wireframes

I start with pen-and-paper sketches to explore ideas quickly, focusing on structure and flow.

04

Develop medium-fidelity designs and check feasibility

I develop the wireframes into more defined layouts, clarifying content, navigation, and interactions. I then review the designs with technical leads and adjust where needed based on what’s feasible.

05

Create high-fidelity designs and prototypes

I refine the visual details and create an interactive prototype, bringing the content, interactions, and accessibility considerations together.

06

Test and refine

I test the prototype with users and use the findings to improve the experience, revisiting earlier decisions when needed.

07

Build together

I walk developers through the design, its behavior, and the reasoning behind it. I document interaction states and accessibility requirements, answer questions during implementation, and review the built experience with the team.

08

Learn after launch

I review feedback and available evidence to understand how the experience performs. I identify what needs improvement and work with the team to prioritize the next changes.

What it feels like to work together.

“In the few years I have worked with Elizabeth, she has quickly grown into an expert designer with a talent for both user interface and user experience design. She is a strong advocate for the end user, and has been essential in driving a design culture focused on accessibility and inclusivity.

Elizabeth was integral to developing our current design system, and ensuring it's adoption across product teams. Elizabeth's dedication, expertise, and passion for user-centered design make her an invaluable asset to any team fortunate enough to have her onboard.”

Bret Schwalb

UX Product Design Leader

“Liz is a passionate and driven UI/UX designer, who pushes and promotes best-practice across all business stakeholders and external parties.

She provides tremendous support as a team mate @ Discover, always on hand to critique, validate and analyze design problems, proposed solutions and always ready to conduct insightful user interviews.”

Craig Kean

Product Design Leader

About · Designer · Colorado

About Me Hello I'm Liz!

Hello, I’m Liz! I’m a UI/UX designer passionate about inclusive and accessible design. Designing for people with disabilities can make things better for everyone.

Portrait of Elizabeth Dahlenburg

Why I design

I graduated from Purdue University with majors in Computer Graphics Technology and Web Development and Design. My career started in UI development, but I quickly moved into UI/UX design when I realized that design was where my heart was. My technical background helps me understand how ideas become products. But what brings me the most joy is solving people’s frustrations, advocating for users, and making products they enjoy using. UX brought together the things I care about most: understanding people, solving problems, and making experiences easier to use.

My accessibility certifications

I’ve earned three accessibility certifications from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP): the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC), Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS), and Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA). Together, they reflect my understanding of accessibility principles, disability and assistive technology, and the technical work involved in building and evaluating accessible digital experiences.

The things that keep me curious.

Beautiful Scenery

Getting outside is part of my everyday life. Whether I’m exploring or simply enjoying the scenery, time in nature leaves me refreshed and at peace.

FUN FACT

My goal is to visit every US national park in my lifetime.

Cooking & Baking

I’ve loved food since childhood. I enjoy spending hours exploring a recipe and turning it into something delicious.

FUN FACT

I rarely make the same recipe twice. There are too many new ones to try!

Always Learning

I love being a student and finding new ways to grow. I’m especially curious about design techniques and accessibility, and how they can help more people use what I create.

FUN FACT

I became a UI/UX designer to design for people with disabilities.

My Process

I adapt my process to the problem, the people, and the project’s constraints. Research, accessibility, and collaboration guide my decisions, with feedback shaping the work throughout.

01

Understand the problem

I start by talking with product partners to understand the request, the people it affects, and the outcome we’re working toward. I clarify assumptions, constraints, and what we still need to learn.

02

Research and make sense of the findings

I choose research methods based on the questions we need to answer. These may include user interviews, competitor analysis, and card sorting. I turn the findings into priorities, requirements, information architecture, and user flows.

03

Explore with wireframes

I start with pen-and-paper sketches to explore ideas quickly, focusing on structure and flow.

04

Develop medium-fidelity designs and check feasibility

I develop the wireframes into more defined layouts, clarifying content, navigation, and interactions. I then review the designs with technical leads and adjust where needed based on what’s feasible.

05

Create high-fidelity designs and prototypes

I refine the visual details and create an interactive prototype, bringing the content, interactions, and accessibility considerations together.

06

Test and refine

I test the prototype with users and use the findings to improve the experience, revisiting earlier decisions when needed.

07

Build together

I walk developers through the design, its behavior, and the reasoning behind it. I document interaction states and accessibility requirements, answer questions during implementation, and review the built experience with the team.

08

Learn after launch

I review feedback and available evidence to understand how the experience performs. I identify what needs improvement and work with the team to prioritize the next changes.

What it feels like to work together.

“In the few years I have worked with Elizabeth, she has quickly grown into an expert designer with a talent for both user interface and user experience design. She is a strong advocate for the end user, and has been essential in driving a design culture focused on accessibility and inclusivity.

Elizabeth was integral to developing our current design system, and ensuring it's adoption across product teams. Elizabeth's dedication, expertise, and passion for user-centered design make her an invaluable asset to any team fortunate enough to have her onboard.”

Bret Schwalb

UX Product Design Leader

“Liz is a passionate and driven UI/UX designer, who pushes and promotes best-practice across all business stakeholders and external parties.

She provides tremendous support as a team mate @ Discover, always on hand to critique, validate and analyze design problems, proposed solutions and always ready to conduct insightful user interviews.”

Craig Kean

Product Design Leader