Talk Title
“From systems to service: Putting people first with component-based web design”
Talk Description
What does it really take to build websites that serve everyone? In this talk, we’ll explore how a design audit for StPaul.gov laid the foundation for a scalable, systematic approach to component-based design. You’ll learn how our team applied object-oriented UX (OOUX), digital governance metrics, and atomic design principles to reduce friction between design and development—and improve website navigation for real users.
Whether you’re a developer, designer, or digital strategist, this session offers practical takeaways for aligning teams, simplifying structures, and making content management systems easier to use.
Bio
Ashley O’Brien is a UX strategist and civic design practitioner focused on creating intuitive, accessible experiences that serve the public Good. With a background in various design disciplines and deep experience in government technology projects, she helps teams manage ambiguity and build with intentionality.
At the City of Saint Paul, Ashley is pioneering transformative enhancements to innovate business solutions—rethinking how end users navigate city systems through thoughtful structure, clear wayfinding, and tested accessibility. Her work spans website governance, object-oriented UX audits, analytics-driven insights, and manual testing to ensure everyday tools work for people with the greatest barriers.
Ashley brings a collaborative mindset and a research-first approach to solving challenges large and small. Whether she’s mapping user journeys or reviewing design patterns across municipal platforms, she advocates for experiences that reflect how people actually search, scan, and solve problems online.
With a passion for empowering cross-disciplinary teams, Ashley bridges the gap between strategy and execution to make complex systems feel simple, navigable, and human.