Michael Woo
Director of UXWith in-house experience spanning digital marketing, product design, and agency leadership across B2B and B2C industries, I bring a broad perspective and a pragmatic approach to solving complex challenges.
Over the past 20 years, the greatest reward hasn’t just been the outcomes we’ve delivered—it’s been the journey. The relationships, shared challenges, and collective wins with colleagues and clients have shaped who I am as a leader and designer. Even more defining have been the risks I’ve taken along the way.
In my early twenties, I taught web design at a community college and coached a community basketball team. I’ve flipped homes on tight timelines and taken on multi-year renovations—doing much of the work myself. More recently, I’ve had the privilege of co-owning UpTop with my longtime colleague and friend, Craig, while also launching and running a successful Airbnb with my wife. Each chapter has stretched me, refined me, and strengthened my belief in building things that matter.
I’m deeply grateful for the love and support of my wife and our three boys—they’re my center. When I’m not partnering with clients or leading at UpTop, you’ll find me hosting guests with my wife, spending time with family, or passionately cheering on the Seahawks in pursuit of another Super Bowl.
Explore insights from Michael Woo
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Designing for Focus in a Distracted Digital Workplace
Michael WooIn today’s digital-first workplaces, distraction isn’t just a nuisance; it’s a structural problem. Employees are asked to deliver high-value work while juggling dozens of tools, platforms, notifications, and workflows that were never designed to work together. The result is familiar: fragmented attention, inefficient processes, and technology that feels like a tax on productivity rather than […]
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Beyond Design Thinking: Human-Centered Design in Practice
Michael WooFor more than a decade, design thinking has played a central role in how organizations talk about innovation and user experience. It has also become one of the most debated concepts in the design and business communities. Critics argue that it has been overused, oversimplified, or treated as a substitute for deep design expertise rather […]
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What an Effortless Experience Means for UX Design
Michael WooIn today’s digital-first economy, experience is no longer a differentiator. It is the expectation. Customers, partners, and employees assume the systems they use will be intuitive, connected, and responsive. When they are not, frustration rises quickly. For technology-enabled services organizations, this expectation is even higher. These companies combine human expertise with digital platforms to deliver […]
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Website Project Management: Essential Strategies for Success
Michael WooLaunching a new website build or redesign can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can reduce risk, align teams, and deliver better outcomes. Effective website project management isn’t about rigid planning; it’s about strategic adaptability, cross-functional collaboration, and staying user- and goal-focused from start to finish. In this article, we outline essential best […]
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Accessibility Design: Building Digital Experiences for Everyone
Michael WooAccessibility is no longer a “nice-to-have”. It’s a critical, non-negotiable element of creating digital experiences that work for everyone. True accessibility design ensures that websites, mobile apps, and digital tools are usable, understandable, and enjoyable for people of all abilities; including those with disabilities, visual or hearing impairments, cognitive challenges, or diverse device needs. Beyond […]
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Prototyping in UX: When, How, and Why
Michael WooWhen NASA engineers began preparing for the Artemis missions, a program designed to return humans to the Moon and eventually journey to Mars, the process didn’t start with full-scale rockets. Instead, they used scaled models to simulate launches, test aerodynamics, and evaluate potential design flaws. This iterative, small-scale testing allowed NASA to refine critical details before […]
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WCAG 3.0 Is on the Horizon—Here’s How to Start Planning Today
Michael WooIn today’s digital landscape, organizations across all industries have a responsibility to ensure their digital content is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. This commitment not only fulfills ethical obligations but also broadens audience reach and enhances user experience. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has been at the forefront of establishing accessibility standards, […]
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How to Design Mobile-Friendly Digital Experiences
Michael WooWhen was the last time you put down your mobile phone? For many of you reading this on a mobile device, it’s likely just a trick question. As of this year, mobile traffic accounts for nearly 60% of global web traffic, and the trend continues to climb. That means a significant portion of your customers […]
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4 Real-World Examples that Prove The Value of Lean UX Research
Michael WooUser experience is often judged by the final product; how a website, app, or platform looks, feels, and performs. But behind every seamless experience is something far more foundational: research. Great UX starts by listening. But for many organizations, the idea of user research still conjures visions of lengthy timelines, large budgets, and exhaustive reports […]
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Unlock Innovation with an Outside Perspective
Michael WooOrganizations across industries are under immense pressure to evolve. Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, logistics, education, or retail, digital disruptors have already reshaped the competitive landscape. Long-standing players are investing heavily in transformation, hiring innovation leaders, launching agile product teams, and rethinking how they deliver services and experiences. But even with the right intentions, many […]


