Husband and Father

I use design thinking as guide to identify problems, adapt to different domains and create solutions that work.

What ties everything I do together is resilience, curiosity, and the drive to grow. No matter where I am or what I'm working on, I approach each challenge with openness, a willingness to learn, and the confidence that I'll figure it out.

Luis Ladino smiling with his daughter
Luis Ladino with family in Colombia

My Journey So Far.

My journey shows I’m not afraid to explore, learn, and push forward.

First Chapter

New York & Fashion

Creative Foundations in Fast-Paced Environments

Studied marketing at FIT and started out in the fast-paced fashion industry through internships in styling and design. Supported runway shows, ad campaigns, and editorial shoots, ultimately working as a Fashion Assistant at GQ.

Developed a disciplined eye for composition and storytelling.
Learned to adapt quickly on fast-moving teams and projects.
Built a foundation in coordinating across roles to deliver polished outcomes.
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Turning Point

UX Foundations

Formal Training and First Applications

Returning to Chicago, I studied UX Design at DePaul University and built my foundations in research, interaction, and usability. While at DePaul, I worked as a UX Researcher, turning interviews and observations into clear findings. After graduating with a B.A., I carried that experience into Customer Experience at Ignite. Applying UX habits to real operations and stakeholder coordination.

Applied UX methods in both academic and workplace settings.
Learned to adapt design principles to real operational constraints.
Strengthened communication of insights to non-design stakeholders.
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Immersion

Colombia & Coffee

Hands-On Work, Global Perspective

Moved to Colombia and immersed myself in the coffee industry. I managed day‑to‑day farm operations—crews, harvest schedules, and lot readiness—and also learned the buyer side by supporting a coffee buyer on offers and logistics. Along the way, I explored a UX side project for farmers, translating field pain points into simple tools for recordkeeping, contractors, and offers.

Built a global outlook by working within cross-cultural dynamics.
Practiced operational problem-solving in high-stakes, resource-constrained environments.
Applied UX thinking in the field, seeing firsthand where tools succeed and fail.
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Today

Continuing the Journey

Growing Through Practice, Perspective and Staying Future-Ready

Right now, I'm focused on building the next chapter of my career while being present as a husband and father. I continue to sharpen my skills through freelance projects, personal practice, and by having completed the Google Data Analytics certificate. I also stay curious about how AI and LLMs are changing the way we work.

Every step of my journey has made me a more thoughtful designer. I've learned to approach problems with empathy, adapt to new challenges, and bring structure to my work. Today, I feel more prepared than ever to bring that perspective into a full-time UX/UI role.

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The Values that Define me.

Guiding who I am and how I make decisions.

Honesty

Personal

I say 'I don’t know' when that’s the truth. Keeps things simple.

In Work

I communicate plainly, avoid over‑claiming, and surface risks early to set clear expectations.

Why it Matters

Trust with teammates and stakeholders, faster decisions, and fewer surprises later.

Balance

Personal

I am at my best when life feels even.

In Work

I aim for the sweet spot between user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.

Why it Matters

Work that is useful now, leaves room to grow, and avoids over‑building.

Diversity

Personal

Keeps life richer — through cultures, creativity, and ideas.

In Work

I value different perspectives and invite feedback. Great work comes from more than one viewpoint.

Why it Matters

Solutions that hold up across contexts and cultures, leading to broader adoption.

Closing Perspectives

A few principles I carry into every team: continuous learning, supporting others, and mindful communication.

Always Learning

I’ve never believed there’s anything I can’t learn. Even if a tool or stack is new, the UX foundations transfer—signifiers, information structure, workflows, and feedback. What matters is picking things up quickly and applying them well.

Leadership Through Support

I see leadership as enablement: give people information, resources, and trust. I ask what I can do for the team—not what they need to do differently. That approach builds ownership and better outcomes.

An Honest Note

My portfolio is a work in progress. I chose to show how I think and work rather than rush to “fill” it. More projects are coming—but what’s here is thoughtful and true.