Instructor Profile: Orok Brooks
Tell us a little about yourself and your current work outside of Experience Haus?Â
I’m a drone flying, dog loving, car driving enthusiast from the North West with a lifetime of being creative. I’ve worked in the world of UX Research and Design for the past 10 years, having the curiosity of a toddler, and the bad knees that go with being 35 and deciding skateboarding and football were the best hobbies to have when I was young.
I’m currently the Head of Product Design and UX at a global education software company, alongside owning my own UX Consultancy: Omagood, and drone videography business: The Flying Ibo.
Did you have a specific goal you wanted to achieve before you started teaching at Experience Haus? Do you think your time here so far has kept you on the right track?
The latter chapters of my UX career made me realise how important mentorship is, and how it impacted my own career trajectory. I’ve taught UX for the past 3 years and wanted to continue inspiring people who share my passion for design and problem solving. I love what Experience Haus is about, and I’ve learned so many things about myself that help me shape who I am as a leader in my own roles and businesses. Not to mention the interesting people I get to meet!
What is your teaching philosophy?
If you want to learn, I will do everything I can to help in the course and beyond. You get out what you put in, and if you’re willing to turn up and have the passion about the subject, I feed off that and reciprocate!
What do you enjoy most about teaching at Experience Haus?
Watching students from all backgrounds who have some hesitation about their own capabilities, and helping them unlock them. When a student gets back in touch to say how the course and myself helped in any way with the next phase of their story, it puts a huge smile on my face.
How would you describe your dream classroom?
A room full of students with the inquisitiveness of a toddler, asking so many questions that we run out of time. It’s hands down the best way to learn!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’d love to grow my consultancy to a stage where I can work with top automotive brands (I’m obsessed with cars!) and help with their UX strategy and vision. Then I plan to own my own combined car venue and deli someday – if that’s within 5 years, I can skip the first bit!
How do you keep up to date with your industry and the courses you teach?
Keeping my network of designers from my career so strong and active, and reading blog posts and articles regularly. Don’t forget LinkedIn and YouTube, they’re an absolute goldmine of information, and it’s free!
