Welcome.
Based in Seattle
Seattle space needle and Mount Rainier in a pink and orange sunset
I’m
Kate Henke
Smiling UX designer in a periwinkle blue shirt
UX
Designer
Usability audit image displaying mockup of Brooks Inc home page and a slide deck on shoe and bra size guides.
About me

I'm a UX designer with a background in classical music, based in the greater Seattle area. I began studying design in 2021, bringing with me a discipline for practice, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to delivering high-quality work. Outside of work I enjoy running, lifting, martial arts and spend time with my dog Juice.

Client Reviews
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Lexa Keenen
UX Manager, Brooks
"Kate was a fantastic collaborator on our UX team, bringing fresh ideas and strong cross-functional teamwork within the Fusion team. She quickly picked up new skills, adapted to evolving processes, and presented her ideas clearly and persuasively. Her curiosity, professionalism, and collaborative spirit made her an asset to our projects."
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Julian Weisman
Hammond Ashley Violins
"Kate approaches web design like a true artist. She is attentive not only to the details but also to the feeling and big picture that is equally important to a successful website."
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Edd DiLuck
Riviera Village LLC
"My family reached out to Kate to design and build a website for our RV park, and she was an absolute pleasure to work with. Katelyn took our vision and feedback and transformed it into a functional, visually stunning site that perfectly meets the needs of our tenants. Her attention to detail and commitment to delivering exactly what we wanted were impressive. We couldn't be happier with the outcome!"
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How do you decide what to prioritize when there are multiple user or business needs?
I look for overlap—where user goals and business needs align. When tradeoffs are necessary, I make sure the user's voice is still part of the conversation, even if the ideal UX solution isn’t possible.
How do you work with product managers, developers, or stakeholders?
I involve them early and stay transparent throughout. I ask questions, listen closely, and keep the work visible so we’re aligned and moving forward together.
How do you know when a design is “done”?
When it’s usable, purposeful, and has been pressure-tested by real people. I aim for progress, not perfection—there is always room to learn post-launch.
How do you turn insights into actionable design decisions?
I translate what I hear into themes, pain points, and opportunities. From there, I map them to flows, content, and interface decisions that serve the goals we uncovered in the empathize stage.
What tools do you use for wireframing, prototyping, or testing?
Figma is my go-to for almost everything—wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and design systems. For mapping flows or making sense of large amounts of data, I turn to FigJam or Miro. Their sticky notes have probably saved a forest or two.
How do you ensure your designs are developer-friendly?
I design with structure and clarity in mind—thinking about scalability, edge cases, and how elements will actually get built. In my Brooks Cart project, I componentized a legacy file and reorganized it using the Brooks naming system, making it easier for TPMs, business analysts, developers, and other designers to navigate and implement. See full case study