Who me?
I'm Michelle, but almost everyone calls me Choppa.
I didn't set out to become a UX designer.
My creative journey began with children's illustration and apparel graphics, where I learned how storytelling, personality, and thoughtful details can make people feel something.
Over time, that curiosity naturally led me into UX, where I discovered I could use those same creative instincts to solve complex problems.
Today I design enterprise banking products by day and keep my creative side busy through illustration, branding, and the occasional project that simply sounds fun.
Whether I'm simplifying a banking workflow or drawing a cat, I'm always trying to create work that feels approachable, thoughtful, and genuinely human.
When I'm not designing for work, I love using my illustration skills to support local animal rescues and nonprofit organizations through event artwork, promotional materials, and creative projects that help pets find loving homes.
It's one of my favorite ways to combine design with something I care deeply about.
Outside of work, you'll usually find me collecting vintage Pyrex, baking Chopcakes, learning new hula hoop tricks, or sketching alongside my two very opinionated creative directors, Gossamer and Marvin.
Let's create something thoughtful together.I'd love to hear about your next project. (Cats optional.)
Follow Me
Email me
mciappa.art@gmail.com
©2026
My Process
Good design starts with curiosity.
I begin by understanding the people, the problem, and everything happening behind the scenes. From there, I look for patterns, uncover opportunities, and connect the dots between user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.
Once the foundation is clear, I bring ideas to life through user flows, wireframes, prototypes, visual design, and illustration. Every step is about creating experiences that feel simple, approachable, and built with intention.
What I Do
UX/UI Design • Enterprise Products • Visual Design • Illustration • Visual Storytelling
How I Work
Research-driven thinking • Cross-functional collaboration • Design systems • Accessibility • Rapid prototyping
What I Love
Storytelling • Collaboration • Clarity • Delight
Work Experience
(job titles are strange
little creatures)
2019–PresentChoppa Design Co.Illustration • Apparel • Freelance
2019–PresentHuntington BankEnterprise UX • Visual Design
2022ValitoBrand Refresh • UX/UI
2019Mindstream InteractiveMarketing • UX
2018Flatiron SchoolUX Career Change
Things That Matter to Me
- Designing enterprise products that people rely on every day
- Watching my illustrations find homes in books, apparel, and products
- Using my creative skills to support local animal rescues
- Building lasting relationships through trust, collaboration, and kindness
- Never losing my love of drawing cats
choppa.design
Where whimsy meets wireframes.
Follow Me
Email me
mciappa.art@gmail.com
©2026
Who me?
I'm Michelle, but almost everyone calls me Choppa.
I didn't set out to become a UX designer. My creative journey began with children's illustration and apparel graphics, where I learned how storytelling, personality, and thoughtful details can make people feel something. Over time, that curiosity naturally led me into UX, where I discovered I could use those same creative instincts to solve complex problems.
Today I design enterprise banking products by day and keep my creative side busy through illustration, branding, and the occasional project that simply sounds fun. Whether I'm simplifying a banking workflow or drawing a cat, I'm always trying to create work that feels approachable, thoughtful, and genuinely human.
When I'm not designing for work, I love using my illustration skills to support local animal rescues and nonprofit organizations through event artwork, promotional materials, and creative projects that help pets find loving homes. It's one of my favorite ways to combine design with something I care deeply about.
Outside of work, you'll usually find me collecting vintage Pyrex, baking Chopcakes, learning new hula hoop tricks, or sketching alongside my two very opinionated creative directors, Gossamer and Marvin.
Let's create something thoughtful together.I'd love to hear about your next project. (Cats optional.)
Work Experience
(job titles are strange little creatures)
2019–PresentChoppa Design Co.Illustration • Apparel • Freelance
2019–PresentHuntington BankEnterprise UX • Visual Design
2022ValitoBrand Refresh • UX/UI
2019Mindstream InteractiveMarketing • UX
2018Flatiron SchoolUX Career Change
Things That Matter to Me
- Designing enterprise products that people rely on every day
- Watching my illustrations find homes in books, apparel, and products
- Using my creative skills to support local animal rescues
- Building lasting relationships through trust, collaboration, and kindness
- Never losing my love of drawing cats
My Process
Good design starts with curiosity.
I begin by understanding the people, the problem, and everything happening behind the scenes. From there, I look for patterns, uncover opportunities, and connect the dots between user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.
Once the foundation is clear, I bring ideas to life through user flows, wireframes, prototypes, visual design, and illustration. Every step is about creating experiences that feel simple, approachable, and built with intention.
UX/UI Design • Enterprise Products • Visual Design • Illustration • Visual Storytelling
What I Do
Research-driven thinking • Cross-functional collaboration • Design systems • Accessibility • Rapid prototyping
How I Work
Storytelling • Collaboration • Clarity • Delight
What I Love
choppa.design
Where whimsy meets wireframes.
Contact
Follow Me
Email me
mciappa.art@gmail.com
©2026
Who me?
I'm Michelle, but almost everyone calls me Choppa.
I didn't set out to become a UX designer. My creative journey began with children's illustration and apparel graphics, where I learned how storytelling, personality, and thoughtful details can make people feel something. Over time, that curiosity naturally led me into UX, where I discovered I could use those same creative instincts to solve complex problems.
Today I design enterprise banking products by day and keep my creative side busy through illustration, branding, and the occasional project that simply sounds fun. Whether I'm simplifying a banking workflow or drawing a cat, I'm always trying to create work that feels approachable, thoughtful, and genuinely human.
When I'm not designing for work, I love using my illustration skills to support local animal rescues and nonprofit organizations through event artwork, promotional materials, and creative projects that help pets find loving homes. It's one of my favorite ways to combine design with something I care deeply about.
Outside of work, you'll usually find me collecting vintage Pyrex, baking Chopcakes, learning new hula hoop tricks, or sketching alongside my two very opinionated creative directors, Gossamer and Marvin.
Let's create something thoughtful together.I'd love to hear about your next project. (Cats optional.)
Work Experience
(job titles are strange little creatures)
2019–PresentChoppa Design Co.Illustration • Apparel • Freelance
2019–PresentHuntington BankEnterprise UX • Visual Design
2022ValitoBrand Refresh • UX/UI
2019Mindstream InteractiveMarketing • UX
2018Flatiron SchoolUX Career Change
Things That Matter to Me
- Designing enterprise products that people rely on every day
- Watching my illustrations find homes in books, apparel, and products
- Using my creative skills to support local animal rescues
- Building lasting relationships through trust, collaboration, and kindness
- Never losing my love of drawing cats
My Process
Good design starts with curiosity.
I begin by understanding the people, the problem, and everything happening behind the scenes. From there, I look for patterns, uncover opportunities, and connect the dots between user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.
Once the foundation is clear, I bring ideas to life through user flows, wireframes, prototypes, visual design, and illustration. Every step is about creating experiences that feel simple, approachable, and built with intention.
UX/UI Design • Enterprise Products • Visual Design • Illustration • Visual Storytelling
What I Do
Research-driven thinking • Cross-functional collaboration • Design systems • Accessibility • Rapid prototyping
How I Work
Storytelling • Collaboration • Clarity • Delight
What I Love