Hi there,
I'm Talana.
My passion lies in working on end-to-end product design, leading strategy and vision for complex systems, and mentoring businesses in UX best practices.
Today I work as an independent UX Architect, contracting with large organizations on complex funnels, integrated systems and design systems — and with small businesses that need the same rigour at a smaller scale.
Before going independent I spent over a decade at AMA, most recently as UX Architect, leading large-scale B2C funnels, digital transformation work and the company's digital brand guidelines.
I believe you cannot understand good design if you do not understand people. Every decision I make is grounded in research, evidence, and genuine curiosity about how humans interact with the world.
"You cannot understand good design if you do not understand people."
— Dieter Rams
Outside of work, I love living on the sandy beach of Gull Lake and enjoying life's beautiful moments with my family.
How I Work
Understand deeply, then simplify
I start with the problem, not the solution. Research, data, and real conversations with users come before any wireframe. The goal is clarity — stripping away complexity until only what matters remains.
Systems over screens
I design scalable systems — not one-off pages. Components, patterns, and principles that empower teams to build consistently and ship confidently, long after my direct involvement ends.
Measure what moves the needle
Beautiful design that doesn't perform is decoration. I tie every decision to outcomes — adoption rates, task completion, NPS, revenue. If we can't measure it, we rethink what we're solving.
Career
History
Independent UX Architect
Contract — enterprise & small business
UX Architect
Alberta Motor Association (AMA)
UX Team Lead
Alberta Motor Association (AMA)
Intermediate UX Designer
Alberta Motor Association (AMA)
Digital Web / Graphic Designer
Various agencies
Academic Foundation
Advanced Diploma of Digital Design
Grant MacEwan University
Continuing Education
Tools & Applications
Project Roles
- Team Lead Strategy
- UX/UI Research Discovery
- Product Designer Execution
- UX Architect Systems
- UX Strategist Vision
- Front-End Development Build
- QA / UAT Quality
- Art Direction Brand
Frameworks
- Agile / Scrum
- Design Thinking
- Jobs to Be Done
- Information Architecture
- Accessibility (WCAG)
- Bootstrap 4
- CSS / HTML
Favourite Reads
- The Design of Everyday Things Don Norman
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Sean Covey
- Laws of UX Jon Yablonski