Areas of Expertise

UX/UI Design
UX Research
Design Strategy
Information Architecture

Jordan Stombaugh

About

I’m Jordan, a UX designer and film photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I care deeply about designing intuitive, thoughtful digital experiences — work that’s grounded in research, shaped by real human needs, and built with clarity and empathy.

I’m drawn to complex challenges that call for both analytical thinking and aesthetic care. Whether I’m designing new tools, improving workflows, or shaping platform strategy, I approach design with a systems lens — always aiming to create experiences that feel seamless and purposeful.

In addition to my design work, I maintain a personal film photography practice focused on landscapes, architecture, and quiet scenes. It’s a creative outlet that keeps me connected to visual storytelling in a slower, more reflective way.

Bio

My path into design started after earning my B.A. in History and French, when I took an online course that sparked my interest in solving problems through user-centered design. I went on to earn my M.S. in Design + Innovation from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2021.

Since then, I’ve built experience across a range of UX roles — from usability testing in higher ed settings to early-stage product design work for startups. Currently, I’m a UX Designer and Researcher at Cengage Group. My focus includes platform architecture, cross-functional collaboration, and thoughtful design strategy for professional learning products.

In 2024, I became a Certified OOUX Strategist, which strengthened my approach to structuring complex systems into intuitive, user-friendly experiences.