It all involves U and I, Monteé’s Experience from Junior Designer to Full Stack Developer

Guest post written by Monteé Ellis, Junior Designer with the Zooniverse team at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago from May – July 2024. Before joining the Zooniverse team, Monteé embarked on an incredible journey as an intern with i.c.stars. This rigorous 4-month program wasn’t just about learning IT and software engineering skills; it was a comprehensive experience designed to open doors to economic mobility. Monteé gained invaluable job experience and honed his leadership abilities, setting the stage for his future success. After his role within the Zooniverse, Monteé will join the United Airlines Apprenticeship Program.

Starting something new is always exciting. The same was true when I got the opportunity to work for the Zooniverse at Adler Planetarium as a Junior Designer. I had some background in graphic design, having previously owned a clothing brand, but UI/UX design was an entirely different ballgame. I found myself using the same creative muscles but with a fresh focus on putting myself in the user’s shoes. This experience has truly broadened my perspective and deepened my passion for creating meaningful, user-centered designs.

Growing up, I was fascinated by space. My frequent visits to the Adler Planetarium as a kid fueled this passion. So, when the opportunity arose to contribute to something as significant as Zooniverse while working at one of my favorite childhood museums, it truly felt like a dream come true. I am forever grateful for this incredible experience and the chance to give back to a place that inspired my love for the cosmos.

The Zooniverse team created an incredible environment where I could learn, grow, and truly be myself. Working on this project has not only enhanced my portfolio but also provided me with invaluable knowledge and experience. This opportunity has set me up for future success and opened doors that I never thought possible.

This is the second time the Zooniverse team has accepted interns from the i.c.stars organization, and this year, they welcomed two of us instead of just one. This decision significantly impacted the success of our project. Having my teammate and friend, Yumi Sato, by my side allowed us to bounce ideas off each other, enhancing our overall creativity. Our shared experience and countless hours spent together at i.c.stars made the transition to the Zooniverse team seamless. Our strong repertoire and collaborative spirit were instrumental in the smooth execution of this project.

The transition from i.c.stars to the Zooniverse team was different but incredibly refreshing. Shifting from the front-end and back-end coding of our Pfizer project to focusing on UI/UX design for Adler was exactly what I needed for my career. This change provided a new perspective and helped me grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

As I embarked on this UI/UX design journey with Zooniverse, my thought process was deeply rooted in empathy and user experience. My goal was to create intuitive and engaging interfaces that not only meet the users’ needs but also enhance their interaction with the platform. I immersed myself in user research, gathering insights and feedback to understand the challenges and preferences of our audience. This informed my design decisions and allowed me to craft solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Collaborating with Yumi, I learned the importance of iterative design and the value of constructive feedback, which were crucial in refining our project and delivering a polished final product.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Laura Trouille, Zooniverse PI and Adler VP of Science Engagement, and Sean Miller, Senior Zooniverse Designer, for their incredible support throughout my time on the team. Laura created a fantastic environment and assembled an outstanding team that made every day a joy. Sean, with his exceptional mentorship, took us step by step through the intricacies of UI/UX design, guiding us through each aspect of the project and helping our ideas come to life. Their combined efforts made this experience truly unforgettable.