Gloria Antonelli fits the current definition of a UX Unicorn – a web designer/developer with UX chops. Gloria attended her first UX workshop “Elements of User Experience” in 2004. Now an advocate of Lean UX, Gloria infuses her skills in rapid prototyping, front end development, user testing, and ideation within the WordPress design process. Her expertise also spans CSS, IA, Content and Documentation Strategies.
Gloria started presenting about the web in 1998 at local and national conferences and workshops. She began working with WordPress in 2006 and has been delighted to share her knowledge at WordCamps in Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids and Milwaukee. Happiness for Gloria besides researching UX trends, Mobile and App development is scuba diving in exotic locations.
Gloria will be presenting Be a Lean UX Team Machine.
Interview
Why do you use WordPress?
Years ago when I was teaching web development to Chicago creative professionals, I found myself saying “you can do this with WordPress faster by downloading a theme or adding a plugin.” WordPress was easier that building from scratch. It has really grown and continues to create better web solutions.
When and how did you start using WordPress?
I first learned about WordPress during Peter Merholz’s (credited with coining the word “blog”) 2-day “Designing the Complete User Experience” workshop in 2006. I was building web sites since 1998, but started adding WordPress blogs to client sites in 2007. I also added WordPress to my training curriculum that same year. Ah, those were the “pre-child theme” days of hacking away at themes and hard-coding navigation.
What tips or resources would you recommend to a new WordPress user?
A new WordPress user today has so many learning options compared to when I was first started. My most important tip is to keep yourself open to continuous learning from many sources and to look into complimentary web design skills. Don’t have tunnel vision. User experience is also so important!
What advice would you give someone who’s building a business around WordPress design or development?
Build a collaborative team, learn from the start-up community and most importantly build something that people actually want.
What do you like most about WordCamps?
As I have spoken at a number of WordCamps since 2011, first I would say I like sharing my knowledge about web development in the context of the WordPress environment. Second, I love learning from other WordCamp presenters. There is always more to learn!
Where can we find you online?
Twitter: @GloriaAntonelli