I'm Alan Blood, and I've been practicing Design since 1996. In almost two decades of working in small, medium, and large software organizations, I have also gained expertise in User Research, Usability Testing, Program (a.k.a. Product) Management, and Web Development. While exposure to these various disciplines helped me to grow in capability and awareness, I found that finding a single area of focus brought the most joy. I also learned just how important it is to trust others with everything else, and learn from them as they learn from me... which is actually a core aspect of being a good UX Designer.

I worked at the main campus of Microsoft in Redmond Washington for eleven years and contributed to many projects in the Windows Media and Microsoft Office groups. I also worked on smaller Microsoft projects like "Chromeffects" and "Maestro". I've also been a User Experience consultant for many years. What I love most about UX Design is the focus on people. Ultimately, it's about improving lives - not building products. Bring joy to your fellow humans, and success will always follow.

From 1996 to 2006, I worked at Microsoft HQ in Redmond Washington. That was school for me, since prior to that I had dropped out of college. Schools were not yet teaching what I wanted to do professionally... whatever that was. I really just had vague ideas myself, and had just my gut instincts to follow. As a Product Designer, I discovered that what I was seeking was in the early stages of being developed all around me. I got to help define what User Experience meant, and rub shoulders with many of the early evangelists of UX. Since 2006, I have been in the heart of Salt Lake City, Utah working on familysearch.org, the home of the world's largest and most expansive collection of family history resources. Learn more about the benefits of learning more about your roots.

I love to design stuff, but I've not taken the time to curate much of it. Most of my time is spent coaching UX Designers, which I really love to do. I also evangelized the UX discipline. When I'm not busy working on, and supporting the best design team on the planet at FamilySearch.org, I'm exploring interesting ways to make the web a more engaging experience. Some of my other interests include WordPress and the Facebook Platform.

I also love to write. I finally published my first sci-fi novel in the Fall of 2014, titled Rocket Handbook – Seraphim. Learn more on the Facebook page, and also on Twitter. The second installment, Rocket Handbook – Emergence, was published in the Fall of 2015. I am currently working on book 3. Five books are planned for the series, with an exciting twist into a follow-on series. More on that later...

In 1996 I married a wonderful woman, Michelle. We have four kids (three daughters and a son), and two dogs (both are Shih Tzu mixes). We've lived in Utah since 2006, but we're originally from the Seattle, Wa area. In the Fall of 2011, I was diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer at the age of 38. After three and a half years in remission, my diagnosis was changed to stage 4 in September of 2015. Follow our cancer journey on Facebook. You can follow our up-to-date family cancer journey timeline below. My wife also put together a video that was shown at a few related events. It's pretty great! Watch it now.

I remember when I learned what my last name, Blood, meant (more info here). It kinda blew my mind that it actually had nothing to do with "blood" – which at the time was a total let down. Anyway, history has been an interest of mine for a long time, but family history and genealogy were not – that is, until I started working for FamilySearch.org. FamilySearch is a great place to learn about your ancestors and your family history, and freely contribute to the world's largest single family tree! Create a free account today, and get in on the fun of family history.

We are working to drive awareness of male breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer. I have appeared on various local television stations: Utah KUTV Channel 2, Good4Utah, and Utah's Fox13Now. We were also a recipient of Anything For A Friend, a local foundation aimed at direct support to families struggling with cancer. My story is also featured by the Male Breast Cancer Coalition, and the Hopebox Theater, where I was added to their Wall of Hope. Their productions are AWESOME, and they do a lot of good for the community. The Male Breast Cancer Coalition worked with my family to produce an awesome video. Check it out! Happy Father's Day!

Tweets by @thealanblood

• I am currently spending my work time in beautiful downtown Salt Lake City, Utah as a UX Design Manager for FamilySearch.org.
• When I'm not at work, I'm at home with my greatest support, my family.
• I have recently been chosen to represent Male Breast Cancer awareness by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Stay tuned for more on that...