How long have you worked at The Distance?

I've been at The Distance for three years now.

How would you describe your role in one sentence?

Being a constant advocate for users, making sure their needs guide the design.

What’s a typical day like for you as a Digital Product Designer?

• 9:30am - 10am - Daily scrum
• 10am - 10:30am - Make a coffee, plan out my tasks for the day, and catch up on messages
• 10:30am - 11am - Work on a full design for a product and prep for my upcoming client call
• 11am - 12pm - Client call where I present a new phase of work, talk through the designs and the thinking behind each decision, and gather feedback as we go
• 12pm - 13pm - Make amends based on the client’s feedback and send updated designs for review
• 1pm - 1:30pm - Lunch
• 1:30pm - 1:45pm - Quick check-in on remaining tasks and support the devs with any questions
• 1:45pm - 2pm - Call with developers to run through any blockers or questions and make sure the functionality lines up with the design
• 2pm - 2:30pm - Update design files and documentation so everything’s up to date
• 3pm - 6pm - Continue working on the full design, creating a design system and applying it across the screens our developers need to build the app (with time for a coffee break too)

Creating something that not only does what the client needs but also solves users' pain points. When both those sides come together in a final product that actually works well and feels great to use, that’s the best feeling.

Definitely the design concept stage. That’s when I get to be most creative. I’m thinking about what the client wants, what the user needs, how the brand should feel, and how similar apps are doing things. It’s like piecing together a puzzle, and it’s really fun. The best part is showing it to the client and seeing it all click for them when they start to visualise their product properly.

We always kick things off with a workshop to learn about the client’s business, their product or idea, and the people who’ll be using it. That gives us the foundation to look into similar products, industry standards, and what users are already saying about those features. We take all that into the wireframing stage and then into UI, constantly checking back on our research. Whether it’s layout, flow, or visuals, we keep the user in mind throughout.

AI design tools are really trending right now. A lot of people are using them to whip up wireframes quickly before diving into full design, or just using them for the full design cycle. I’m still on the fence, to be honest. It can definitely save time and therefore money, but it risks losing the human touch that’s so important in this kind of work. It’s all about balance and knowing when it makes sense to use it.

How do you ensure accessibility in your designs?

Throughout the design process, I regularly check key elements like colour contrast, information architecture, button states, and iconography to ensure compliance with accessibility standards, such as WCAG guidelines. These are standard checks we integrate at every stage, and when clients request more in-depth accessible design, I apply best practices to ensure the final product is inclusive and meets diverse user needs.

Don’t go all in on a perfect, flashy design from the start. Begin with something simple and functional, get it in front of users, and shape it based on real feedback. That way, you’re building something people actually want to use, not just something that looks good.

Figma. I use it from start to finish, whether I’m taking notes in workshops, wireframing, or doing the final UI designs. It just covers everything I need across both UX and UI.

If you were a biscuit, what biscuit would you be?

I’d be a Jammie Dodger. It’s got layers and a lot of thought behind the design, so it’s not just tasty but also an experience. I also like that there’s a heart in the middle I put people’s feelings at the heart of what I do every day. Plus, it’s a classic, right? Can’t go wrong with that!

I think I’d still be designing, just not digitally. I’ve always been an artsy person and love painting and drawing, so if I wasn’t working on a screen, I’d probably be doing it on paper instead. I’d be creating physical artwork, selling prints and taking on commissions. I already do bits of that on the side for friends and family.

For Emily, the reward comes when design clicks into place: when a product not only meets the client’s needs but also makes life easier for the end user. It’s that sweet spot (where functionality and experience align) that makes all the iterations worthwhile. And as our Digital Product Designer, Emily is there every step of the way to make sure our apps don’t just work; they work beautifully.

Want more behind-the-scenes insight from the humans making it all happen? Keep an eye out for the next chapter in our Day in the Life series.