About Me
I'm Joshua Crowley, a Sydney-based designer who has spent the last decade designing and building innovative web apps. I’m very proud of my skillsets, as they’ve all been learned on the job – through my collaboration with peers, and personal study.
The things I’ve learnt were not always so accessible, and for me that’s turned me passionate about nurturing the next generation of designers through teaching UX and Web at the University of Technology Sydney and General Assembly.
In your team you’ll find I’m a confident contributor, leading teams through complex design processes. I’ve guided projects from concept to completion across diverse domains and user groups—from preschoolers to pensioners. My approach combines deep UX methodology with practical technical skills, making me both a specialist and a versatile collaborator.
Hands on
Print design is where my passion for UX started. Throughout school and university, I created magazines and physical artifacts that I loved sharing with others. This hands-on experience fostered my appreciation for iteration, collaboration, and user connection—fundamentals that still guide my approach to product design today.
Digital Evolution
As digital technology transformed the landscape, I adapted quickly. Having grown up with computers and the web, plus a passion for video games, the transition felt natural. In the digital space, I've continued to prioritize user connections, advocating for their needs while balancing stakeholder requirements. This adaptable approach feels relevant today as we consider how AI may change our lives both online and offline.
The UX Challenge
The core challenge I've faced repeatedly is compressing vast amounts of information from stakeholders, users, and requirements into discrete, actionable artifacts. These deliverables need to capture all the necessary details and considerations of the design process while remaining clear and implementable.
My tools have evolved dramatically—from Photoshop mockups to Sketch artboards to Figma frames and now AI prompts—with a trend towards higher fidelity and artifacts that advocate for user outcomes. It's been remarkable to witness and participate in this rapid transformation that increasingly empowers designers to create more compelling experiences.
The Future of UX
I'm optimistic about UX's future, especially as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of AI. UX designers will be crucial in guiding users through this technological evolution, redefining our relationship with computers. I'm excited to apply my skills in this space and continue developing my expertise to lead effectively in this changing landscape.
Experience
- Senior Interaction Designer at Australian Government Department of Agriculture (July 2022 - Present)
- Senior UX Designer at University of Canberra (February 2018 - July 2022)
- Designer/Developer at MathsBURST (February 2018 - January 2022)
- Senior UX Designer at CHOICE (December 2016 - February 2018)
- UX Designer at Australian Broadcasting Corporation (December 2012 - December 2016)
- Junior Print Designer at Time Out Australia (August 2011 - December 2012)
Awards
- 2024 Good Design Award "Supporting Exporters Access to Reduced Tariff Rates Through Integrated Services"
Talks and Workshops
- 2024 October: Sydney JS Meetup @ Atlassian – Tiny Talking Todos and Open AI Realtime voice APIs (extended version).
- 2024 August: Sydney JS Meetup @ Atlassian – Tiny Talking Todos, how to build AI voice assistants in the browser.
- 2024 Design Outlook – Omni Apps, Designing for Apps That Can See, Hear and Speak.
- 2023 Sydney Design Systems Meetup @ Canva – What makes a design system play well?
Education
- Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) with Honours - University of Western Sydney (2007 - 2011)
Teaching
- Lead Instructor, UX – General Assembly (Mar 2022 - 2024)
- Unit coordinator/tutor, Web Fundamentals and JavaScript – University of Technology Sydney (Aug 2014 – Nov 2015)