Jan Heaney

Why this persona fits the audience

Works from home in Brooklyn and logs lunches and late-night snacks by photo or quick text when moving between calls. Uses an iPhone, checks workout calories from Apple Health, and has kept a simple Lose It! free account for years alongside occasional manual notes.

• Age: 34
• Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
• Occupation: Freelance UX designer
• Income: $115k/year
• Education: BFA in Design
• Company size: N/A (Self-employed)
• Years in role: 8

““It’s about finding that sweet spot between function, form, and how it makes you feel, whether it’s a meticulously crafted UI or just a balanced meal.””

Jan Heaney, 34, is a Brooklyn-based freelance UX designer who has carved out a dynamic career by embracing flexibility and a commitment to quality. After earning her BFA in Design, she spent a few years in agency roles, gaining experience across various digital products. However, the rigid structure and office politics eventually led her to strike out on her own eight years ago. This transition allowed her to prioritize her values of independence and flexibility, enabling her to set her own hours and choose projects that genuinely excite her. She thrives on the challenge of understanding user needs and translating them into intuitive digital experiences. Her income of $115k/year reflects her established reputation and ability to secure consistent, well-compensated freelance contracts. Jan lives alone in a tidy Prospect Heights apartment, a space she carefully curates for both aesthetics and functionality. Her approach to health is pragmatic; she uses her iPhone and Apple Health to track workouts and calories, maintaining a long-standing, simple free account with Lose It! for meal logging, often snapping photos or typing quick notes between client calls. This habit stems from a desire for health consistency, a core value that helps her maintain energy levels amidst her demanding freelance schedule. She's recently been experimenting with more structured meal prepping on Sundays to streamline her weekday nutrition further, inspired by a few high-quality indie apps focused on mindful eating. Jan's decision to go freelance wasn't just about career growth; it was a conscious choice to gain more control over her time and lifestyle, allowing her to integrate her passion for cycling and design exploration into her daily life without sacrificing professional rigor or the quality of her output.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Jan's day typically begins around 6:30 AM with a brisk bike ride, followed by a quick breakfast and checking her Apple Health data. By 8:30 AM, she's usually at her desk, diving into emails and prepping for her first client call, scheduled for 9:30 AM. The morning is a blur of design tasks and project management, punctuated by a quick lunch logged via photo on her phone. Afternoons often involve more client interaction, design critiques, and focused work sessions. If she has a late client presentation, she might grab a convenient, healthy snack, logging it just as quickly. Evenings are for unwinding, perhaps a short walk, prepping dinner, or catching up on design trends before winding down, often with a book or a quiet podcast.

Lifestyle

Jan lives in a compact, well-organized one-bedroom apartment in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, filled with plants and carefully chosen functional art. Her routine is dictated by client schedules, but she carves out time for early morning cycling rides along the Brooklyn Bridge or through Prospect Park, often followed by a quick, healthy breakfast she prepped the night before. She's mindful of her energy levels and nutrition, using her phone to log meals, especially when juggling multiple projects. While not a big spender, she invests in quality tools and experiences that enhance her productivity and well-being. Social life involves a mix of quiet evenings, occasional meetups with designer friends, and exploring new neighborhoods.

Work life

As a freelance UX designer, Jan's workdays are a dynamic mix of client calls, wireframing, prototyping, and user research. Her home office is a dedicated corner with dual monitors and a standing desk, but she often works from cafes or co-working spaces for a change of scenery. She relies heavily on design software like Figma and Sketch, project management tools like Asana, and communication platforms like Slack and Zoom. Coworkers are essentially clients or collaborators on specific projects, leading to a constant need to build trust and manage expectations. The pressure comes from juggling multiple project timelines, ensuring client satisfaction, and constantly marketing herself for the next gig.

Relationships

Jan has a close but geographically dispersed network of friends from university and past jobs. She stays in touch with her parents via weekly video calls. Her professional network is crucial, with occasional meetups and online discussions with other freelance designers providing support and industry insights. She values candid feedback from trusted peers but ultimately makes decisions independently.

How they decide

Jan approaches decisions with a blend of analytical research and pragmatic evaluation. She'll often investigate options thoroughly, reading reviews, comparing features, and seeking out user testimonials. However, she's not afraid to make a choice based on intuition or a strong conviction about a tool's underlying principles, especially if it promises efficiency or aligns with her values of quality and independence. She's generally risk-averse when it comes to significant financial commitments but is willing to invest in tools that demonstrably improve her workflow or well-being.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured cadence, often using precise language but is comfortable with casual slang when among peers. Avoids overly technical jargon unless explaining a design concept. Her tone is generally calm and thoughtful, but can become animated when discussing design challenges or new tools she finds particularly elegant. She tends to be concise but will elaborate if asked for more detail. Rarely uses hyperbole.