We had the good fortune of connecting with Joey Werkmeister and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joey, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As far back as I can remember I have always been fascinated by art. I grew up on the fringes of it, always doodling but never getting up the courage to take a class. It wasn’t until well into college that I realized the value of it in my life. I had always had a love for the sciences, but one tough semester in my junior year I found myself burning out. My parents suggested I try to find a class which would allow me to pursue a hobby. They suggested it would help me to mentally refocus and breathe. I took one drawing class and that was the beginning of it all for me. I can’t say I “took” the art class as much as devoured it. I spent hours upon hours after class digging into my drawings, bugging professors and grabbing books from the library. As I entered the next semester I bartered with my family to complete my degree in Neuroscience if they would give the blessing to also pursue my new found love. I was delighted to discover that next semester that my grades improved and my stresses were gone. Ever since I have found walking this road between science and art is one of the most thrilling and enjoyable things I could ever do. From my days as a surgical illustrator creating illustrations to help medical students prepare for their yearly exams to the ever evolving world of user experience. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I came to work in UX by finding that mix of science and art discussed earlier. I had always wanted to apply my skills to helping others and being able to make an impact on the world around us. For me, I found that helping companies be able to focus their products on customer needs, rather than business requirements, was the goal. Doing such helps so many companies get out of the requirements and maintenance phase and into so many new amazing products, ideas, and directions than they would have ever attained on their own. Being able to couple that research and empathy with the design skills necessary to see that product come to life are what truely inspires me every day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dallas has so many hidden treasures to show people, if you just know where to look. We have amazing walking trails like the Katy trail, the trinity river trail, and even white rock. We have some of the best shopping ever, still located at north park mall. People can find so many diverse kinds of night life from enjoying the gayberhood of Cedar Springs, to the college life of Mckinney Ave or the Music scene of Deep Ellum. And the food is always there to compliment it all. Some of my favorite restaurants include Monkey Noodle Co. , Cauldron Ice Cream, Rise No 1, and Alice.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
One of the most important people to me is my art teacher in college Berry Klingman. He helped me find medical illustration, which allowed me the path to UX. Without him I would have never known it existed.

Website: werk.space

Instagram: r_j_werkmeister

Image Credits
Robert Werkmeister

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