Hello, I’m Jeremiah Beatham-- a designer and maker who has left earth to step into the digital realm of metaphors and mental models that we call UX.
My first memories of creating were for my own benefit. I had a passion for Toy Story, and because I wasn’t able to get my hands on Buzz Lightyear I decided with a little creativity I could create a version. I took a couple crayons, cut the paper wrapping off just so, unfolded the wings on my new “Buzz Lightyear” and I was off! That wasn’t all though, the shelves of my room soon filled with inventions and trinkets and before I knew it more shelves were being built to display my work.
As I got a little older my inventions and creations became more elaborate. Instead of settling for the imagination’s ability to transform anything I added more detail to my designs. The Han Solo blaster I made next even had a functioning trigger that made a click when fired! I made things in the pursuit of expressing creativity and experiencing what it would be like to be Han or any of the other characters that surrounded me. In school I was developing an interest in art as well, but also in math and science-- a future in engineering is what I expected. The tools to connect art and function evaded me. It was only half the game to create art for me-- I needed to invent things that other people would enjoy as well.
The first time I realized there was a way to make creating and problem-solving a career was when I was introduced to Industrial Design. I was thrilled by the idea that there were people who saw the problems all around them and tackled them through creation and innovation. I studied to become someone like that at Cedarville University, receiving my B.A. in Industrial and Innovative Design after four years of learning the tools of design thinking. I started to connect that there were many things at stake, that taking into account the intricacies of the problem lead to better decisions, and that understanding and empathizing with people lead to more impactful and meaningful results.
After graduating my design trajectory collided with experiences again. I began designing the best user experience for Zoos, Aquariums, and Museums through themes that brought visitors into the story. I designed spaces and products and walked them through concept to creation to installation. I was finally making real things that were engaging with others! I transformed ordinary parts of the zoo like restaurants and gift shops into photo-ops and a tool for memorable experiences, as well as an additional promotional tool for owners. It was taking creativity and function to a level that were connecting to people and making their lives better. It scratched the itch I’d always had, but I knew that I wanted to do more-- I wanted to do this creation of new and wonderful experiences and solving problems on a larger scale!
My sights set on a greater scale, I enrolled in THINKFUL’s program for UX/UI Design and began to turn my abilities to create for people toward the digital realm. These days I spend my time absorbing the intricacies of a problem, getting to know the people who are being affected, and using creativity and innovation to make an impact through UX Design to reach people far and wide, at any time.
