Josh Coldiron
UX Strategist & System Architect
I am a Systems Architect and Experience Designer dedicated to solving complex institutional challenges by engineering digital ecosystems that work for everyone, from the ground up.
Biography
I graduated cum laude from SIUE with a BFA in Graphic Design and a minor in Computer Science, where I collaborated across departments to build a custom HCI-focused curriculum. My academic journey was defined by a ‘deep-dive’ mentality—earning an URCA grant to develop a web-based design education tool and collaborating with my E-Hacks team to win ‘Best Educational Software.
My foundation in publication design taught me the essentials of information architecture and scalability, which I seamlessly applied to interactive design. During my time in iOS development, I gained firsthand experience in the technical rigors of game architecture, honing my ability to see products through from initial concept to bug-free deployment.
As the Lead Digital Designer for SIUE, I’ve moved beyond just creating assets to establishing governance. I introduced ‘Design Thinking’ into the university’s digital pipeline to ensure every project aligns with user goals and institutional ROI. My philosophy is rooted in a total understanding of a system’s moving parts; I take pride in mentoring teammates to adopt this same systems-first mindset, ensuring our products don’t just exist—they succeed. Even with all I have learned and accomplished, I am a lifelong learner and will keep learning and adjusting my thinking as I evolve with the process throughout my career as we try to push boundaries.
Core Competencies
I operate as a T-shaped designer, combining deep expertise in Interaction and Visual Design with a broad command of the technical pipeline. My role at SIUE requires me to lead cross-functionally across Motion Design, UX Research, Technical Writing, and WCAG AA Compliance. With a core knowledge of HTML/CSS and Brand Strategy, I bridge the gap between creative vision and technical execution.
Institutional Impact (SIUE)
- Email Ecosystem: Engineered a modular system that increased click-through rates by 600% and readership by 450%.
- UX Research Governance: Launched the university’s first formal Research Program to establish data-driven foundations for all future digital growth.
- ROI-Driven Design: Developed advertising landing pages that doubled lead generation, marking the highest ROI for these assets in university history.
- Scalable Architecture: Built a modular component system now utilized across Cascade CMS and Slate CRM.
Game Development & Publishing Impact
- App Store Hall of Fame: Core contributor to the development of Archetype, which was inducted into Apple’s App Store Hall of Fame.
- Technical Authorship: Recruited by Wiley Publishing as a Technical Editor for Art of the App Store, leveraging my expertise in mobile game logic and deployment.
The Maker’s Mindset
“When I’m not architecting digital ecosystems, I’m usually deep in a physical one. I spent years reverse-engineering and building a Toyota GT-Four—a niche, low-production race car that requires a high degree of technical research and community-led documentation to maintain. This ‘problem-solving with no manual’ is the same energy I bring to complex digital products.
I am also a father, a proponent of my local library, and an advocate for global exploration. Whether I’m navigating Southeast Asia or designing custom learning modules for my children, I am constantly looking for ways to make the complex simple and the inaccessible available to everyone.”