Strategic UI/UX Design: Where Creativity Meets Functionality
I’m Shawn Farnum, a UI/UX designer with experience in fintech, healthcare, and emerging tech. My design career started in the late 1990s at The Art Institute of Seattle. That early spark led me to Web Design at Flathead Valley Community College and then to Montana State University, where I earned my BFA in Graphic Design.
In September 2025, I began pursuing a Master’s in Human–Computer Interaction and Design at UC Irvine. This program strengthens my research skills and helps me build more intentional, user-centered products.
I focus on work that blends design and code. I’ve been exploring Three.js through Vibe coding, and AI has accelerated my ability to solve technical problems quickly. I enjoy being the designer who can step into programming challenges without losing sight of the user.
I lead projects from research through prototyping. I build personas, create clear flows, and deliver high-quality interfaces. I communicate well across teams and keep the work grounded in real user needs.
A recent project that captures my approach is a music discovery tool I’m building on the side. It mixes my love of design and music and shows how I work when I’m fully engaged—curious, hands-on, and focused on solving real problems.
People I work with often describe me as creative, practical, and collaborative. I push ideas forward without drifting from the goal. I like to see what others see and understand how different perspectives shape better products.
I enjoy creating features that make people pause and say they didn’t expect that solution. Those moments matter to me.
I’m looking to join a medium or large company where I can contribute to meaningful products, work with strong teams, and grow as a designer. I’m also open to collaborating on side projects with people who enjoy building new things.
My guiding principle is simple. Good work comes from collaboration. I want every stakeholder to see a piece of themselves in the final product.
Beyond UI/UX, I have Graphic Design, Web Design, and WordPress skills. This shows my dedication to comprehensive design and development solutions. My portfolio reflects my journey and versatility and demonstrates my commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital design.
Shawn was a pleasure to have on our team during his internship. Within a limited timeframe, he quickly dove into design tasks and saw larger projects to completion during the engagement. Shawn knows his toolset, what software to reach for, and the processes to employ when it comes to creative problem-solving.
“Shawn is responsive, helpful and a self-starter. He helped us with a website redesign and not only came to the table with good ideas but was fast working and on schedule. Even though the project is complete, Shawn is still helpful and willing to answer questions.”
“Shawn is a superb designer and developer. Not only is he able to come up with a very esthetic and user-friendly layout, he is able to construct it with the necessary web development tools. He would be a twofold asset to any company.”
“Shawn had a solid foundation in UI/UX design that proved to be very useful come course projects. His ability to charge forward into the realm of programming, further displayed his capacity to be highly trainable, as well as eager to learn. I believe he would make a great addition to any team.”
“Shawn has been quite helpful as a co-founder of DropTrip. He is completely committed to its success and works to improve his skills and abilities on a regular basis to make that happen. He stays focused on the task at hand and clearly never stops thinking about the challenges we face and how to solve them. He is willing to jump in wherever needed.”
PREVIOUS EMPLOYERS
CONTACT ME
Drop me a line, I love collaborating and talking with other designers. While I’m always available for one-off UI/UX work, my main focus is finding full-time, remote, or in-person employment opportunities.
Connect.
SOCIAL PRESENCE
Find Me.
ADDRESSS
Bozeman, MT