From Studio Art to UX Design

Brett Banning (C’11)
Product Designer at Uber

As lead Product on Uber’s Global Vehicle team, Brett is using a human-centered design methodology to develop a program for onboarding new drivers. His projects always begin with user research and progress through extensive prototyping and testing, and he regularly interacts with professionals across the company—engineers, marketers, data scientists, lawyers, copywriters, researchers, and senior executives.

"The liberal arts foundation I got at Principia prepared me to be adaptable and to take on any challenge,” Brett notes. “The problem-solving, presentation, and writing skills I learned have been vital to my success.”

Brett’s art major plays a key role in his work as well. “The drawing, painting, and design skills I gained in my major are the foundation for the iterative process of visual design. I’m not doing fine art, but I rely heavily on the principles I learned at Principia. The UX field is growing exponentially, and it’s an exciting place to be."

While at the College, Brett played on the rugby team and served as a geology teaching assistant and as a Resident Assistant. “I loved the spiritual atmosphere on campus,” he adds. “I felt the camaraderie in athletics and in my house, and I made many wonderful friends.”