Thérèse Schmitt

Why this persona fits the audience

She runs a small two-person design studio and spends much of the week on client discovery calls, workshop recordings, and design rationale walk-throughs. She keeps lightweight notes in Google Docs and sometimes copies key decisions into a spreadsheet for project tracking. She has used a few free transcription tools during client projects but does not buy many recurring apps.

• Age: 35
• Location: Lyon, France
• Occupation: Freelance UX designer
• Income: €55k freelance income
• Education: Bachelor's degree in design
• Company size: 2
• Years in role: 10

“The most elegant solutions are often the ones that quietly make complex things feel simple.”

Thérèse Schmitt, a 35-year-old freelance UX designer based in Lyon, France, has cultivated a career built on a deep appreciation for craft and client trust. Holding a Bachelor's degree in design, she transitioned into freelance work a decade ago, eventually co-founding a small two-person studio. Her professional life is characterized by a constant flow of client engagements, from initial discovery calls that probe user needs and business objectives to interactive workshops where collaborative ideation takes center stage. She meticulously documents these sessions, often relying on Google Docs for lightweight note-taking, and transfers critical decisions into a shared spreadsheet for project tracking. This approach, while functional, consumes valuable time that could otherwise be spent on core design activities. Thérèse has experimented with various free transcription tools, finding them helpful but not always robust enough for her specific needs. Her income of €55k as a freelancer reflects her established expertise but also the inherent variability of project-based work. She values flexibility above all, allowing her to manage her workload and maintain a healthy work-life balance, which is crucial for her creative output. Her interest in typography and design systems stems from a desire for both aesthetic excellence and functional consistency in her work. Outside of her professional pursuits, Thérèse is an avid city cyclist, using her bike to navigate Lyon and clear her head. She also enjoys café sketching, a hobby that blends her observational skills with her artistic inclinations. Her financial habits are pragmatic; she invests in her business and personal growth but is hesitant to adopt many recurring software subscriptions unless their value proposition is exceptionally clear and compelling. She recently completed a complex redesign for a local e-commerce startup, a project that involved extensive user research and iterative prototyping, reinforcing her commitment to user-centered design principles.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Thérèse's typical weekday begins around 7:30 AM with a strong coffee and a quick scan of industry news. By 9:00 AM, she's usually in a client discovery call, meticulously taking notes in Google Docs. The late morning might involve a workshop session, where she actively facilitates and records key discussions. Lunch is often a quick affair, perhaps a sandwich enjoyed while reviewing her notes. The afternoon is dedicated to design work, translating insights into wireframes or prototypes. If time permits, she might squeeze in a short city cycle ride before dinner. Evenings are for personal time, though she occasionally checks emails or prepares for the next day's meetings.

Lifestyle

Thérèse lives a balanced life in Lyon, cherishing her independence. Her apartment is functional and aesthetically pleasing, reflecting her design sensibilities. She prioritizes her well-being, incorporating city cycling into her daily routine for both transport and exercise, and enjoys quiet evenings with a book or sketching. Socially, she maintains a close circle of friends, preferring quality over quantity in her interactions. Financially, she's mindful of her freelance income, investing wisely in her business and personal development, but avoids unnecessary recurring expenses.

Work life

As a freelance UX designer running a small studio with a partner, Thérèse's work week is dynamic. A significant portion is dedicated to client interactions: initial discovery calls to understand needs, collaborative workshops to brainstorm solutions, and detailed walk-throughs to present design rationale. She relies on lightweight digital tools, primarily Google Docs for note-taking and a shared spreadsheet for project tracking. The challenge lies in efficiently capturing and organizing the wealth of information from these sessions, ensuring no critical detail is lost between client discussions and actionable design tasks.

Relationships

Thérèse maintains a close relationship with her design partner, with whom she shares a collaborative and respectful working dynamic. Her friendships are deep and long-standing, often with fellow creatives or individuals who appreciate thoughtful conversation. She stays in touch with her family regularly, though they live in a different region. Her professional network, built through conferences and online communities, provides a source of inspiration and occasional collaboration.

How they decide

Thérèse is a thoughtful and pragmatic decision-maker. She values research and evidence, especially when it pertains to design choices. For operational tools and processes, she leans towards solutions that offer clear utility and value, often trying free versions before committing. She is not impulsive and prefers to understand the long-term implications of a choice, weighing flexibility and ease of use heavily in her considerations.

How they sound

Thérèse speaks with a clear, measured cadence, her French accent subtly present. She uses precise language, especially when discussing design concepts, but can also be warm and engaging in casual conversation. She avoids overly technical jargon with clients unless necessary and prefers to explain complex ideas simply. She’s not one for excessive slang or overly casual expressions in professional contexts, maintaining a tone of thoughtful professionalism.