Troy Abel, UX C, Mfa, PhD
About Troy Abel, UX C, Mfa, PhD
Troy Abel is a Senior Design Lead with extensive experience in user experience research and design. He holds a PhD in Human Computer Interaction and has worked in various academic and professional roles, contributing to the field through participatory design and mixed methods research.
Current Role at Think Company
Troy Abel serves as a Senior Design Lead at Think Company, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he focuses on user experience design within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. His responsibilities include leading design initiatives and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user engagement and satisfaction.
Education and Expertise
Troy Abel has an extensive educational background in design and user experience. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications from Valparaiso University. He further pursued his education at Iowa State University, where he obtained a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction. He also holds a User Experience Certification from the Nielsen Norman Group.
Professional Experience
Troy Abel has held various positions in academia and industry. He worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of North Texas from 2017 to 2020, focusing on UX research and design. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech from 2010 to 2015. His industry experience includes roles at Key Lime Interactive, where he served as a Consulting Professional and later as a UX Research Manager.
Research and Methodologies
Troy Abel specializes in mixed methods research, employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches in his work. His methodologies include eye-tracking, diary studies, and usability testing. He engages in participatory design, involving users directly in the design process. He also conducts stakeholder one-on-one interviews and focus group exploratory research to inform his design strategies.
Academic Contributions
Troy Abel has a Google Scholar repository that showcases his academic contributions and research work. His research focuses on user experience and design methodologies, reflecting his commitment to advancing the field of UX design through scholarly work and practical applications.