I'm Abigail Auwaerter, a Chicago-based design researcher and strategist who loves to help teams navigate complexity and drive meaningful change. With a background in environmental design, UX research, design strategy, and cross-functional collaboration, I specialize in uncovering what truly matters to people and translating those insights into meaningful product decisions.

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Whether conducting in-depth interviews, synthesizing survey data, or facilitating workshops, I bring curiosity, empathy, and a systems mindset to every project. My work often lives at the intersection of behavior, technology, and equity, focusing on complex or sensitive topics like healthcare access, digital security, and service design in public systems.

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One of the tools that sets my process apart is sketching. I'm known for carrying a vibrant notebook filled with sketchnotes, scenario illustrations, and visual frameworks. From graphic facilitation during workshops to quickly mapping out user flows or service moments, I use drawing as a way to clarify complexity, ground abstract ideas, and keep people at the center of the conversation.

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I’ve partnered with teams across industries and disciplines, including:

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• 1r Agency – Leading UX research for global luxury brands, blending analytics and qualitative insights to inform strategic design.

• Institute for Healthcare Delivery Design – Conducted field research and co-created a stakeholder exhibition, shaping Medicaid strategy and service improvements.

• Studio intO – Led cross-cultural research with parent-teen pairs to improve onboarding flows, balancing security and teen autonomy.

• Bayport Flower Houses – Applied UX strategy to redesign their e-commerce experience, increasing online sales by 20%.

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Co-developed design concepts based on global ethnographic research to enhance social connectedness.

• Conifer Research - Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to integrate research, strategy and design methods into research studies illuminating users' mental models, pain points, and needs.

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I hold a Master of Design from the Institute of Design at Illinois Institute of Technology and a B.S. in Design and Environmental Analysis from Cornell University, which included a semester in Industrial Design Engineering at TU Delft.

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Beyond design, my love for nature deeply influences my work and life. I'm a docent with the Lincoln Park Conservancy, where I advocate for native plantings and local biodiversity, sharing that passion through guided walks and community education. I also bring over 20 years of experience as a floral designer, having created arrangements for everything from intimate weddings to everyday celebrations. That long-standing connection to plants and seasonal rhythms often informs how I think about systems, beauty, and sustainability.

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If you're looking for someone who can bridge research and strategy, people and product, with a few sketches along the way, I’d love to collaborate!