and always look F       cking badass

Nice to meet you

Now we have the introduction out of the way - I'm Matt, a freelance product designer with over 13 years of experience. I've successfully led, mentored, and designed all sizes of projects from discovery through to launch.

Product design seems to be a trending job title, so let me define what I do; I am a problem solver well versed in UX, UI and design systems. I thrive in understanding the customer, recognising the business needs, translating the requirement into designs and validating my work through user research. I enjoy working on websites and native apps...basically, I thrive on finding solutions to tricky challenges by keeping things simple.

Work aside, I'm a proud dad of two, husband, mentor and BBQ Grillmaster - I have a passion for bbq and outdoor cooking (and a slight obsession with perfect lawn stripes).

Contact me image

Some of my work

Jaguar
Land Rover

Jaguar
Land Rover

UX & UI - Web & App design - Design system management - Design lead
2021 year
See more snippets of work on Behance or Dribbble
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WHAT I DO

Focus

My focus has been on web applications, websites and OS native apps. I like to dissolve complicated systems and create simple and easy to use experiences.

I have experience working with existing and establishing new design systems, for small and large companies. I have run lessons on educating the best practices to setting design system up. I have developed product roadmaps and business strategies that help my clients and their products succeed long term and always created interactive prototype's either through a Webflow or Principle.

Problem solving

Goes without saying, I love a challenge. I love working with data and can produce the best work for my clients and end-user with data-driven design.

Design systems

I jumped ship to Figma in 2018 (originally, my true love was Sketch) and haven’t looked back.

I love building large design systems from scratch and sharing my knowledge on the best approach to set them up. Keep it simple, well documented and easy to use for the many, not just for you.

End to end UX & UI

For any project, I like to be involved throughout the project lifecycle and can deliver my best work. From working on the strategy to delivering to the build team.

App design

IOS and Android - I design for both! I was lucky to be the only designer on an app that in Dec 2019 won an award from Apple; "The Best Story Telling app for 2019".  Not bad for a company that was only 12 people strong!

No buillshit

I love doing what I do. I love learning new skills and software and never get complacent. To be a contractor, you need to be on your A-game, and you are only as good as your last role - but I can’t stand nonsense or bullshit that can cloud over a project. Being a contractor gives me the power to deliver great work and step away from the company or client policies.

I have collaborated with a range of clients, mainly in tech and automotive sectors. Here are just a few:

Canon     Land Rover     Jaguar     Lifecake     The Collective     MTV
BBC     Purina     Nestle     Google     Master Card      Bentley

My design process

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Discovery & define

I’m a problem solver, answering a brief that meets the projects end goals.

To do that, you need to understand the audience. What their needs and goals are and challenge that back to what the brief is. I’m an advocate of prioritising core features into a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). To ensure decisions are validated quickly..

UX & testing

I've learnt the hard way, you NEED to creating detailed UX before you design!

It enables you to step back and think about the objectives and how to solve them. I design low fidelity ideas and make click-through prototypes. Testing at this stage will not only save time down the line but will validate your ideas.

Design sprints

I feel they are the most effective. Break the project into time boxes to clarify what is needed to be done and by when. It also adds a sense of urgency and focuses on delivering the best work in either a small or more significant team.

Design systems

Create a modular design system as I go into designing is my approach. Once I am happy with the UX and begin designing, I like to use either Sketch or my preferred design tool, Figma, to create Components that I can use throughout my design. If I need to change fonts, colours and edit an element, I change it in one place, and all my work is updated..

Product development

I try and deliver perfect designs that answer the brief each time but ultimately, getting the MVP live to the audience to gather more data is the best approach. This is why I have built strong relations with my clients to get re-occurring work to improve and develop my designs over time.

Matthew Luxford portrait
Netflix logo

This is me, I love being a dad of two, binge watching Netflix, cooking on one of my many BBQs and coffee. I love coffee!

I also enjoy side projects that aren’t necessarily web or app design. Resently I have taken on a lot more Illustration work, drawing on my iPad and designing custom logos for Instagram pages, larger brand identity projects for various food and gym apparel.

If im not out with the family or working you will find me in either my home gym, behind one of my 4 BBQs or stripping the lawn up.