Hi, I’m Dave Woods. I can help you create products, services, and experiences that people love.
Think of me as your friction fixer. I’ll help you discover reasons why your customers might feel confused, frustrated, or pained:
Then we’ll transform their pains into helpful, smooth, amazing experiences:
The result? You’ll leapfrog competitors, forge lasting customer relationships, and your business will thrive.
Here’s how I do it:
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Research & Empathy
What are your customers struggling with, and what do they truly want and need? I’ll help you find out through interviews, surveys, analytics, and other empathy-building techniques. -
Journey Mapping
Every experience is part of a larger journey from A to B to C. I’ll help you redesign these pathways to be silky smooth and highly efficient — no more unintended disconnects, mazes, or confusion. -
Storytelling & Content Strategy
If journey mapping is the path, storytelling and content strategy are the helpful tour guides that lead the way. My strategic, human-centered approach to story and content will enhance everything your customers see, hear, or touch. -
UX Strategy & Design for Digital Products & Services
The best and most successful digital experiences are about people, not pixels. That’s why I focus on overarching strategy, plus the “human aspects” of websites and apps: helpful and effective content, accessible and intuitive design, highly-readable typography, and flexible layouts that load fast and offer equal functionality on any screen. -
Accessibility & Inclusive Design Strategy & Training
An estimated 15 to 30% of your customers are people with temporary or permanent disabilities. If your products, services, and experiences exclude them, then you’re losing marketshare, harming your brand, and risking a potentially costly lawsuit. But don’t worry: I’m one of approximately 1,000 professionals worldwide who has earned Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) certification, and I’m here to help make accessibility easier to understand and implement.
Watch my a11y training videos
Research & Empathy
Journey Mapping
Storytelling & Content Strategy
UX Strategy & Design for Digital Products & Services
Accessibility & Inclusive Design Strategy & TrainingI’m proud to say that my work delivers results and earns rave reviews.
Here are just a few testimonials, plus detailed case studies containing work samples:
“Dave has a really unique, multidisciplinary skill set, and he’s full of great ideas. He didn’t just do amazing CX, UX, and marketing work for EUSD — he also taught and empowered us to be self-sufficient. I can’t believe how much we learned from Dave about strategy, design, marketing, accessibility, and more.”
Director of Technology and Innovation (Retired)
“Working with Dave was an incredible experience. He was thoughtful and thorough in his approach, effectively utilizing market research and industry knowledge to inform his top-quality strategic marketing and UX work. He also communicated clearly, created realistic benchmarks and, after much hard work, delivered a final product that we are immensely proud of.”
Executive Director (Retired)
“At CSUSM, Dave consistently produced quality, innovative work that exceeded expectations. He’s truly multidisciplinary: a polished writer and presenter, a talented designer and technologist, always focused on strategy and long-range impact. But equally important, he’s a thoughtful and caring person.”
Vice President, University Advancement (Retired)
“I moved to Escondido, knowing no one. Shortly after arriving, I found Think Grand: the movement, website, and people. I knew I wanted to be involved because its premise created a positive space to discuss the betterment of Escondido. Dave is innovative and strives to create an environment where all opinions are respected and people are valued, asking thought-provoking questions about the community we live in.”
“Working with Dave was the wisest move we made in getting our digital civics curriculum project organized. His conscientious follow-through and attention to detail was equally matched by his amazing creativity. In addition, Dave’s warm, confident communication style was extremely effective when presenting to staff, judges, attorneys, and educators. Without reservation, I highly recommend Dave Woods.”
Project Director and Associate Professor of Social Studies Education (Retired)
“I’ve worked with numerous service providers over the years, and Dave is one of the best I’ve seen in any trade or industry. Simply exceptional! The intuitive and informative web experience he created for my vacation rental business gave me immediate credibility. It sealed the deal for many prospective renters.”
Owner, Via Palm Springs