```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2F25nTRtto2mm43kzG4qRK%2Ff7864bdb-7116-438b-b74c-15c6dae2d822.jpg?alt=media&token=977b3614-039a-4d12-bf93-4fd110b1cc36","id":"f7864bdb-7116-438b-b74c-15c6dae2d822","width":2372,"height":1581,"filename":"ARS_4286.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2F25nTRtto2mm43kzG4qRK%2Fef286c9b-22df-41de-b694-51ce14c7f16d.jpg?alt=media&token=868e6945-69d8-4772-81f3-410a06fa3d69","id":"ef286c9b-22df-41de-b694-51ce14c7f16d","width":1974,"height":1316,"filename":"ARS_4386.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2F25nTRtto2mm43kzG4qRK%2Fd590aa28-3f19-401e-ba6e-5e504b9aaa03.jpg?alt=media&token=b8e4ecb1-3587-449f-bdf1-91090a1aa528","id":"d590aa28-3f19-401e-ba6e-5e504b9aaa03","width":2216,"height":1477,"filename":"ARS_4394.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2F25nTRtto2mm43kzG4qRK%2F0dfe19d4-b4a7-45b8-8b8c-8846f1a7dde5.jpg?alt=media&token=74b67c24-36d6-43bf-ba44-cf7520f6eafb","id":"0dfe19d4-b4a7-45b8-8b8c-8846f1a7dde5","width":1138,"height":1707,"filename":"ARS_4398.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

124th Boston Marathon (Virtual)

### Overview

To celebrate the launch of a new iPhone and Apple's enthusiasm for augmented-reality (AR) experiences, the native mobile apps team added an item to our backlog to explore this further.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FAh1HsIJYEgnZx27CD4xx%2Ff1533d85-4be9-42c8-9fdf-131fab0eca6f.png?alt=media&token=22417f46-101b-4d2c-9d17-76cf00b17917","id":"f1533d85-4be9-42c8-9fdf-131fab0eca6f","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_ar-1.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

Months later, one of our UX researchers presented a data point that showed a sizable amount of customers started returns of pet furnishings due to the size being inaccurate or not measuring beforehand. \
\
The cost to return these back to Chewy mounted so we started this ticket.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FAh1HsIJYEgnZx27CD4xx%2F0c6e8fb8-e9ac-4233-8622-f0eaffdc8524.png?alt=media&token=f43739e4-d59f-482b-ad3d-c5b7fe0f9b13","id":"0c6e8fb8-e9ac-4233-8622-f0eaffdc8524","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_ar-2_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"I created a \"how-to\" guide on getting started as well as tips for an audience that may be new to AR. ","border":false}]}
```

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FAh1HsIJYEgnZx27CD4xx%2Ffb9d7d24-25c3-47b7-a7b2-7f23929dad80.png?alt=media&token=77ec5c3b-b328-478a-8087-9ea0b00a954f","id":"fb9d7d24-25c3-47b7-a7b2-7f23929dad80","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_ar-3_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"I added a special ability to call up the various product sizes for reference from within view.","border":false}]}
```

I assisted in a dev effort spike and designed the experience across iPhone and iPad. \
\
I worked closely with a dedicated engineer and PM to build both a measuring experience and being able to place a dog bed in your space which I rendered in a combination of applications including SketchUp, Blender, and Xcode.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FAh1HsIJYEgnZx27CD4xx%2F9e10e900-0889-4f8e-ab14-b69a30937628.png?alt=media&token=3d977ab5-80ea-4d39-bc75-1056b1489c26","id":"9e10e900-0889-4f8e-ab14-b69a30937628","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_ar-4_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"I learned new skills with multiple programs like SketchUp and Blender to sell this experience.","border":false}]}
```

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FAh1HsIJYEgnZx27CD4xx%2F6908e2bd-9f56-48d1-b28c-685d9eadce2d.png?alt=media&token=bf1e750d-0f36-4490-aace-08991262dbd3","id":"6908e2bd-9f56-48d1-b28c-685d9eadce2d","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_ar-5_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"I suggested making the button to get into the experience (at launch) prominent for the most-returned items. Pet furniture.","border":false}]}
```

### I honed my skills in...

* Collaborating directly with an iOS engineer daily

* Basic 3D modeling with Trimble SketchUp and Blender

* Sizing, lighting, shading & materials

* A now-archaic process converting .OBJ → .USDZ files via Terminal

* Using Xcode, iOS Simulator, and testing on my own device for proof of concept

### I faced challenges with...

* Determining which products are specifically best-suited for AR

* Getting dimensions just right for accuracy and being valuable to our customers’ experience

* Product looked into 3D capture firms but product availability and cost proved to be challenging

* Limited interest from leadership despite financial benefit

* Ultimately, a removal of these features altogether a few weeks after launch

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FAh1HsIJYEgnZx27CD4xx%2F540348c7-e417-4d59-a904-a41476a2c92a.png?alt=media&token=d8a42ec8-ec2e-40c6-b964-bb944a9d7f69","id":"540348c7-e417-4d59-a904-a41476a2c92a","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_ar-6_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"During the projects, I learned the critical importance of scale, built a box that adhered to real lighting conditions and poorly textured and painted the dog bed product.","border":false}]}
```

### Steps I would take if I could do it all over again

**Buy-in**\
Nothing is perfect, but the timing was right. I wasn’t in a position at the time to gain a seat at the table with the executives that would have seen the value in this feature and given us a green light to pursue it. \
\
**Conducted more research on the products we should’ve rendered**\
This was a fun exercise for me. I used SketchUp in the past for non-professional work, and to not only use this app, but to carry over the file into a dedicated 3D-modeling tool was very exciting.\
\
**Gotten a larger team together had we had the resources**\
While it was awesome to work alongside a talented iOS engineer, having more on the team would have made the spike much quicker to build so we could have used more time to refine the design and experience more.\
\
**Made an easter egg**\
Since Chewy is an online store, it would have been a fun idea to make a top-down store layout featuring our products in aisles and feature bays.   This would call-back to a bunch of live demos at Apple’s developer conferences and potentially could have brought us to both conversation and San Jose.

Measuring for success, and pet products

Mile 26 at the 123rd running of the Boston Athletic Association's Boston Marathon, wave 1 runners Norman Mininger (616) and Felix Moser (626) assist Evan Doucet (2551) with the very last 2 miles. Finish line in sight, these men ultimately decided to finish the race together. \
\
Connected only by their experience, they show true selflessness and bravery to put their own desires behind for the betterment of their fellow runner. It's a whirlwind of moments and emotions, each with their own story to tell: elite runners and past marathoners receiving deafening cheers from the crowd; runners looking for family instead of towards the finish; runners fixated solely on the finish line down Boylston Street; runners struggling to keep their own composure. Truly a spectacle.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FdGBrWA47HCwqoRkT0FEs%2F827bae2f-e5ee-46fd-9c2f-0a0d1c5e91df.jpg?alt=media&token=e8743d28-ac6e-45f7-b848-3a735ff012e2","id":"827bae2f-e5ee-46fd-9c2f-0a0d1c5e91df","width":2521,"height":3615,"filename":"IMG_3791.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"My submission for Rally Point.","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FdGBrWA47HCwqoRkT0FEs%2F0701b0f9-2833-4eaf-ae59-38cdbd8ca3c0.jpg?alt=media&token=7d2da8f5-a2d8-41df-895d-950e66d1ce86","id":"0701b0f9-2833-4eaf-ae59-38cdbd8ca3c0","width":4032,"height":3024,"filename":"IMG_3793.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Rally Point gallery at Old North, May 23 2019.","border":false}]}
```

Rally Point

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FgtzxKHQafXPvB7llndqr%2Fd741d9ec-9beb-4835-8b02-fa0c202bfbf1.jpg?alt=media&token=9fb830e9-4ff0-4cd9-adf9-20d922fca968","id":"d741d9ec-9beb-4835-8b02-fa0c202bfbf1","width":3254,"height":4881,"filename":"ARS_4018.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Steve Hewitt proudly holds his marathon singlet at the banks of the Charles River in Cambridge overlooking Boston.","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FgtzxKHQafXPvB7llndqr%2Fde80d44d-ee7d-46f9-926a-0460698f0f04.jpg?alt=media&token=0b9b444e-dfdb-4464-a43d-e651377c8212","id":"de80d44d-ee7d-46f9-926a-0460698f0f04","width":3024,"height":4032,"filename":"IMG_4559.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Printed photos in the Septermber 12, 2020 Boston Herald for Steve Hewitt's column.","border":false}]}
```

In September, we had the 

Photography for the 124th Boston Marathon (Virtual)

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FgtzxKHQafXPvB7llndqr%2Fd741d9ec-9beb-4835-8b02-fa0c202bfbf1.jpg?alt=media&token=9fb830e9-4ff0-4cd9-adf9-20d922fca968","id":"d741d9ec-9beb-4835-8b02-fa0c202bfbf1","width":3254,"height":4881,"filename":"ARS_4018.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Steve Hewitt proudly holds his marathon singlet at the banks of the Charles River in Cambridge overlooking Boston.","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FgtzxKHQafXPvB7llndqr%2Fde80d44d-ee7d-46f9-926a-0460698f0f04.jpg?alt=media&token=0b9b444e-dfdb-4464-a43d-e651377c8212","id":"de80d44d-ee7d-46f9-926a-0460698f0f04","width":3024,"height":4032,"filename":"IMG_4559.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Printed photos in the Septermber 12, 2020 Boston Herald for Steve Hewitt's column.","border":false}]}
```

### **Overview**

For three and a half years and during a global pandemic, I was the solo design resource for the iOS native mobile app (NMA). I was also a go-to resource for anything mobile. My first responsibility when joining the team was to extend a design overhaul to all parts of the "happy path flow" (search/browse to checkout) for the Chewy app on iOS.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FhtFjq68RqHfhINACk2pz%2F588b8160-8048-4a4d-b8dc-47196a0851d6.png?alt=media&token=1df9ab41-4694-4c0f-a3ba-97d9acbc563a","id":"588b8160-8048-4a4d-b8dc-47196a0851d6","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_nma-1_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

The first hurdle I faced was designing for a larger display. We were building a universal app which contrary to the tech enthusiasts was not as simple as checking a box in Xcode. This would allow our store to be optimized for both iPhone and iPad which only a couple years later would be forked off as iPadOS.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FhtFjq68RqHfhINACk2pz%2Fcab4735e-edcc-4f2c-b318-bafc82bf4c3c.png?alt=media&token=3860df2c-aefb-4d7a-84be-ba26950f4340","id":"cab4735e-edcc-4f2c-b318-bafc82bf4c3c","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_nma-3_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"The newest iteration of the Chewy app for iOS and iPadOS, a universal app which I led design for and was shown live when Chewy went public on the NYSE.","border":false}]}
```

When I began work, I built a design system of existing components, standardized the type classes so we could support Dynamic Text resizing, reduced our color palette to the essentials, yet kept a few in reserve for future use, and reworked each InVision prototype that already existed.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FhtFjq68RqHfhINACk2pz%2F4694f0b0-9b2a-419c-9aae-f28e15f4e690.png?alt=media&token=bc778c66-b3b1-40e2-aaa0-df0659783d5f","id":"4694f0b0-9b2a-419c-9aae-f28e15f4e690","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_nma-7_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"I conducted an audit and refinement phase of the color palette, typography, iconography, and visual effects to introduce dark mode with iOS 13.","border":false}]}
```

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FhtFjq68RqHfhINACk2pz%2F44d6193f-d99c-4066-90c8-0b01fad781c3.png?alt=media&token=d67fe05c-6743-41d5-a550-77a63f6c6f3a","id":"44d6193f-d99c-4066-90c8-0b01fad781c3","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_nma-5_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"I constructed precisely-crafted components adhering to confirmed styles and Human Interface Guidelines recommendations","border":false}]}
```

Since I worked on every part of the Chewy app, there are so many projects to list. Here are some that I really enjoyed building:

* API research and design of Pay

* Crafting a robust Filter/Sort feature

* Having fun with iMessage Stickers

* New business with eGift Cards

* Supporting customers with Text Chat

* Supporting Pharmacy launch with  Pet Profiles

A majority of these experiences still exist in the app that you can [download right now](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chewy-where-pet-lovers-shop/id1149449468) with my existing design.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FhtFjq68RqHfhINACk2pz%2Fa5ae19ab-3041-467e-a91c-e3285acf0a16.png?alt=media&token=5123f5b1-aa87-43e3-a73d-bce94933ce02","id":"a5ae19ab-3041-467e-a91c-e3285acf0a16","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_nma-9_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"I led approach, design, and technical implementation for Apple Pay across all Chewy platforms. Arguably the highest sought after feature our customers wanted for years.","border":false}]}
```

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FhtFjq68RqHfhINACk2pz%2F8490b662-c1c9-4774-9fa3-fe66df0efafe.png?alt=media&token=e845d3cb-fef7-466c-b77f-a44c32c72cb1","id":"8490b662-c1c9-4774-9fa3-fe66df0efafe","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_nma-2_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"I redesigned our sort & filter tool to give customers the ability to narrow down over 50,000 products we offered including medication.","border":false}]}
```

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FhtFjq68RqHfhINACk2pz%2F3ce6ed09-1bbe-40a5-a9c6-f53974f069bd.png?alt=media&token=e465a22b-9b31-4da4-8103-6e5f094da7c2","id":"3ce6ed09-1bbe-40a5-a9c6-f53974f069bd","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_nma-4_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"I worked with our iOS engineers to provide contextual hints about making selections.","border":false}]}
```

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FhtFjq68RqHfhINACk2pz%2F0c457284-588b-45c2-8c24-f5f848b26542.png?alt=media&token=5c0affe6-13fe-4475-a32b-bdf64bfd9a70","id":"0c457284-588b-45c2-8c24-f5f848b26542","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_nma-6_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Chewy's first digital product, and one that used the entire design team to pull off. eGift Cards (and now also physical gift cards) became an overnight success.","border":false}]}
```

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FhtFjq68RqHfhINACk2pz%2F97e70945-2893-4771-a8a2-e635bc3b23d8.png?alt=media&token=c0f289b9-d0f4-4dd3-aa2a-f0ae235df611","id":"97e70945-2893-4771-a8a2-e635bc3b23d8","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_nma-8_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"I designed multiple iterations of pet profiles to support Pharmacy launch (medical and breed information) and recommendations (allergies, weight, etc.).","border":false}]}
```

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FpRY63WEAAxekNfxrqbKQgsbOzNm2%2FhtFjq68RqHfhINACk2pz%2Fad4fea77-179d-4a6e-b1c7-1c3a48e35899.png?alt=media&token=64d2b055-1ced-41ec-93a7-0857cbb9f20b","id":"ad4fea77-179d-4a6e-b1c7-1c3a48e35899","width":1920,"height":1200,"filename":"chewy_nma-10_dark.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Designed with a brand-illustrator on the team, I brought iMessage stickers to life with subtle animation. It serves no practical function except for delight and is a bit of an Easter egg.","border":false}]}
```

### **I particular enjoyed building skills in...**

* Presenting and selling to leadership.

* Working in two-week sprint-based working style (adjusting from waterfall)

* Close collaboration with Product and Engineering coworkers to complete the three-legged stool.

* Advanced prototyping with InVision (RIP); plus briefly Origami and Framer (from 2018).

* Deep research of new features both in design, but also in development lift of APIs available to the team and working with what we had.

* Supporting the team with a deep dive for App Privacy 'Nutritional Labels' for the required App Store change. Understanding what we collected and what we did not helped me continue to make informed design decisions.

* Apple Technologies and frameworks including: the Human Interface Guidelines, Universal app binary, Size classes & dynamic type, VoiceOver and Voice Control, Text recognition/OCR, Push Notification services, iMessage extensions, Dark Mode and theming with Asset Library, and Apple Pay.

### **Challenges faced**

* I was the only designer on this team responsible for the entirety of the store experience on a platform.

* Leadership and product owners often pointed to the apps as not being in 'parity' to the website experience.

* Quarterly goals and shifting initiatives as new business came online always proved difficult to manage.

* Designing in lock-step with my closest design ally, our Android designer, to build features at the same time on unique platforms.

* Needing to bring so much more proof and research to the table to validate and defend my design decisions.

* Management changes, a shift in core values and evolving design/research team culture.