Hello, I’m Emmanuel Rivers
My friends and clients call me Mannie
My Intro to Design
I’m a UX/UI Designer that specializes in visual design and information architecture. My introduction to design began in college with graphic design and web design for on-campus events and performances.
During my sophomore year in college, my professor asked me to design the posters for a performance by a touring performance art group comprised of former orphans from Nairobi, Kenya called Shangilia. Afterwards, my design professors affirmed that I had a bright future in design.
I studied UX/UI Design with General Assembly during a full-time immersive program.
Background in Theatre & Performance Studies
My background in theatre & performance studies helped to prepare me for a future in UX Design. In theatre, I needed to empathize with characters and audiences and collaborate with artists of all types to deliver compelling, impactful stories for invested communities.
My Future is Design
In UX, to identify and empathize with my users’ pain points, I’ve learned to leverage diverse research methods, such as user interviews, affinity maps, journey maps, user flows, usability tests, problem statements, how might we statements, solution statements and personas.
The Design Process
After synthesizing the research into digestible insights, I dive into the reiterative agile design process. I sketch wireframes and wire flows. Then, I build a lo-fi prototype and test it. I redesign specific elements based on findings directly from user tests. I repeat the testing and reiteration process as I progress from a lo- to mid- then hi-fi prototype.
More Than Aesthetics
Creating a beautiful product is not enough. UX designers must clearly communicate the efficacy of their product to stakeholders and teammates to ensure its success. That’s why I focus on clear and concise slide decks when presenting products.
Let’s Talk
Interested in finding out more about how I think about design? Email me at mannierivers@me.com. I would love to make a meaningful contribution to your project, team, or company.
I’m not accepting new clients until the Summer of 2025.