Hello! My name is Jeff Smith. I’m a product designer currently working on the Windows team at Microsoft in Redmond, WA.

 
 
 
Jeff_Facilitating_AI_Workshop.jpg

I’m passionate about designing meaningful ways for people to learn, grow, and create through technology. The evolving landscape of these interactions provides an endless stream of opportunities. Discovering those opportunities is what I love to do.

In addition to designing apps, websites, a chatbot, and operating systems used by over 1 billion people, during my professional career I have actively pursued opportunities that allow me to work across multiple disciplines in order to solve complex problems. At Microsoft, I was the co-creator of an in-house workshop that teaches creative strategies to engineers and project managers. I have also coached several classes of executives at INSEAD Business School on how to use design thinking as a business innovation tool.

Outside of work, you can find me throwing ceramics on the wheel, baking sourdough bread from scratch, or playing the ukulele with my kids.

 
 

What’s up with the “ink”?

In my experience, constraints lead to better designs. So, when you have a name as common as mine, and you’re trying to find an available website domain, it’s an opportunity to be creative.

 
 
About-Ink-Icons-01.png

“Ink” plays with the idea of personal branding, as if I’m an incorporated business: Jeff Smith, Inc.

About-Ink-Icons-02.png

Ink is what sketches are made of. It represents the moment of creation when an idea starts to become a reality.

About-Ink-Icons-03.png

I believe all good products start in the abstract with bigger picture thinking and asking, “Why?” Ink creates beautiful abstract shapes.

About-Ink-Icons-04.png

Good design involves good reasoning. When “ink” is combined with the T-H in “Smith” it spells “think.”