Professional creativity
Professional creativity
My journey from building web pages to building teams
My professional path began in 2008 as a Web Designer at Invitrogen (soon to become part of ThermoFisher Scientific) in Eugene, Oregon. Two years later, I raised my hand to design the company’s first iPhone app, a move that sparked a lifelong obsession with UX and UI design.
Over the next few years I built my design portfolio by diving head first into any software project I could find. Along the way I shared in receiving app design awards as well as patents for ground-breaking life science apps.
Nearly two decades later, I am still energized by the creative puzzle of design, though my focus has shifted from executing pixels to leading the people who do.
My journey from building web pages to building teams
My professional path began in 2008 as a Web Designer at Invitrogen (soon to become part of ThermoFisher Scientific) in Eugene, Oregon. Two years later, I raised my hand to design the company’s first iPhone app, a move that sparked a lifelong obsession with UX and UI design.
Over the next few years I built my design portfolio by diving head first into any software project I could find. Along the way I shared in receiving app design awards as well as patents for ground-breaking life science apps.
Nearly two decades later, I am still energized by the creative puzzle of design, though my focus has shifted from executing pixels to leading the people who do.
Management style
Management style
My leadership role models
I believe the best work happens in environments defined by autonomy, constructive feedback, and empathy. I have been extremely lucky to work for a series of great managers throughout my career, but my philosophy was shaped significantly in 2018 by one who asked me a single, transformative question: “What would you rather be doing?”
That one question simultaneously acknowledged my humanity, my natural curiosity, and my own agency. It guided my growth from a lead UX designer to a UX leader, and it remains the cornerstone of my management today.
Prioritizing people
As a leader, my top priorities are to listen and lead. By understanding what my team members truly want to achieve, I can:
Uncover growth opportunities that align with their passions
Identify and remove roadblocks early
Foster a culture of trust and high job satisfaction
I’ve found that prioritizing employee well-being isn't just kind—it is the most effective way to build a strong, empowered team who get excited about hitting ambitious lead and revenue targets.
My leadership role models
I believe the best work happens in environments defined by autonomy, constructive feedback, and empathy. I have been extremely lucky to work for a series of great managers throughout my career, but my philosophy was shaped significantly in 2018 by one who asked me a single, transformative question: “What would you rather be doing?”
That one question simultaneously acknowledged my humanity, my natural curiosity, and my own agency. It guided my growth from a lead UX designer to a UX leader, and it remains the cornerstone of my management today.
Prioritizing people
As a leader, my top priorities are to listen and lead. By understanding what my team members truly want to achieve, I can:
Uncover growth opportunities that align with their passions
Identify and remove roadblocks early
Foster a culture of trust and high job satisfaction
I’ve found that prioritizing employee well-being isn't just kind—it is the most effective way to build a strong, empowered team who get excited about hitting ambitious lead and revenue targets.
Home life
Home life
Beautifully rainy Portland, Oregon
My incredible wife and I live in the wonderful Pacific Northwest. We celebrated our 22nd anniversary in 2026 and it has been a wild adventure. On our off hours you’ll find us on a road trip to a national park, watching a true crime documentary, or catching a local stand-up set.
We love animals so our household is a busy one, shared with one dog, three cats, and five chickens (don't worry, the chickens have their own house in the backyard). Our dream is to retire to a small homestead where we can raise goats and write fantasy novels.
Beautifully rainy Portland, Oregon
My incredible wife and I live in the wonderful Pacific Northwest. We celebrated our 22nd anniversary in 2026 and it has been a wild adventure. On our off hours you’ll find us on a road trip to a national park, watching a true crime documentary, or catching a local stand-up set.
We love animals so our household is a busy one, shared with one dog, three cats, and five chickens (don't worry, the chickens have their own house in the backyard). Our dream is to retire to a small homestead where we can raise goats and write fantasy novels.
Nicholas Fargher
© 2026 Nicholas Fargher
Nicholas Fargher
© 2026 Nicholas Fargher