Shaping human-centered futures.

Applied Focus Areas

Alongside my product work, I actively contribute to the design community through mentorship, teaching, and applied exploration, particularly in complex, high-impact spaces where cognition, accessibility, emerging technology, and human vulnerability intersect.

My focus is on translating complex theory into practical design judgment designers can actually use, whether shaping products, supporting teams, or developing shared tools and frameworks for more humane, responsible design.

Formal Mentorship

Mentorship has made a big difference in my own development and career, so I'm passionate about paying it forward. Much of this work also shows up through direct mentorship and one-on-one guidance.

I bring a holistic perspective shaped by my experience across medical devices, consumer tech, and industrial design to offer honest feedback and practical guidance that helps designers navigate their unique paths with confidence.

Selected Contributions & Knowledge Sharing

Designing for the Mind: Cognitive Inclusion Across Interfaces & Environments (Educational Deck)
A presentation developed to help designers better understand cognitive load, attention, memory, and stress as design constraints. This has been used in community and professional settings to translate accessibility principles into concrete design decisions.

  • Figma Slides (link to come)

  • PDF link (link to come)

Creative Game: Exploring Cognitive Load & Decision-Making
A hands-on design exercise created to help teams experience how cognitive pressure, ambiguity, and information overload affect decision-making. Designed as a facilitation tool for workshops and learning environments.

This is an evolving deck that has been used personally and in IxDF San Diego meetup settings. It currently lives as a single, physical deck prototype only.

Talks & Workshops
Developed presentations on cognitive accessibility, inclusivity, and human-centered decision support for community and professional audiences.

  • A11ySD Lightning talk, "Designing for the Mind," November 2025

  • 12th Human Factors and User Experience Conference, "Differentiation by Design," January 2026 (planned)

Want to chat design? Contact me.

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Want to chat design? Contact me.

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Want to chat design? Contact me.

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© 2025 Alexandra Sieben

© 2025 Alexandra Sieben

© 2025 Alexandra Sieben

Selected Contributions & Knowledge Sharing

Designing for the Mind: Cognitive Inclusion Across Interfaces & Environments (Educational Deck)
A presentation developed to help designers better understand cognitive load, attention, memory, and stress as design constraints. This has been used in community and professional settings to translate accessibility principles into concrete design decisions.

  • Figma Slides (link to come)

  • PDF link (link to come)

Additional trainings include:

Creative Game: Exploring Cognitive Load & Decision-Making
A hands-on design exercise created to help teams experience how cognitive pressure, ambiguity, and information overload affect decision-making. Designed as a facilitation tool for workshops and learning environments.

Talks & Workshops
Developed and delivered presentations on cognitive accessibility, inclusive UX, and human-centered decision support for community and professional audiences.