Hi, I’m Cara Harpole — a UX Design Warrior

UX Strategy, Accessibility & Structured Web Evaluation 

Ux design warrior shield geometric design cara on the top then ux in a circle then harpole under the circle

Work in progress — updated regularly.

UX Systems Design

Design isn't just what it looks like —
it's how it works.

I design systems that scale. From information architecture to accessibility frameworks, every decision I make is connected, intentional, and built to hold together.

See My Process ↓
Research
Strategy
IA
Accessibility
Testing
Prototyping
Cara Harpole UX Systems Designer
A great UX system doesn't just solve today's problem — it anticipates tomorrow's.

My background spans CAD drafting, accessibility consulting, military service, and film production. That diversity isn't incidental — it's why I see design as a system of interconnected decisions, not a series of isolated screens. Every choice has a downstream effect, and I design with that in mind.

How I Build UX Systems

Discover & Define

Every system starts with understanding the problem space. I use surveys, interviews, and competitive analysis to uncover what users actually need — not what they say they want.

01
Keto-Me · Research
14-person survey + affinity mapping
Revealed that 57% of users needed accountability — not recipes. That single insight restructured the entire app architecture.

Synthesize & Map

Raw data becomes a system when you find the patterns. I use affinity mapping and needs/wants analysis to separate signal from noise and build a clear design brief.

02
Keto-Me · Synthesis
Needs vs. Wants framework
Distinguishing between non-negotiable needs and desired features shaped every prioritization decision in the product roadmap.

Architect the Structure

Information architecture is the skeleton of any system. I use card sorting and sitemaps to build navigation that feels intuitive — and I document every change with reasoning.

03
Keto-Me · IA
Color-coded sitemap with change log
Every addition, removal, and reorganization was tracked and justified — making handoff to developers clear and defensible.

Design for Inclusion

Accessibility isn't a checklist — it's a design constraint that makes everything better. I apply ADA/WCAG standards at every stage, not as an afterthought.

04
A2Symmetry · Framework
CEWQI Evaluation System
A proprietary 5-pillar web quality index examining accessibility, usability, structure, content, and visual design as an interconnected system.

Prototype & Test

Hi-fi prototypes let real users interact with real flows. I test early, document findings, and iterate — treating usability testing as a design tool, not a validation exercise.

05
Keto-Me · Design
Onboarding + Coach Finder flows
Multi-screen hi-fi prototypes covering personalized onboarding, AI-assisted coach matching, and community recipe discovery.