Inside UX/UI Design with Harness Projects mentor Justin Hamacher

Harness Projects UX/UI Design mentor Justin Hamacher has had a career like no other. He recently discussed his key learnings, from one of the most interesting career journeys you will hear of.

His background is unlike any other: a visual designer turned creative director, UX researcher, full-time faculty member, and now a Jungian psychologist and psilocybin facilitator in Oregon.

Through all of it, he’s remained anchored in curiosity, storytelling, and a commitment to helping people grow. In recent workshops, Justin walked students through his career—from graphic design and book covers to connected car systems, diabetes health platforms, and design education.

But what stood out most wasn’t just his experience. It was the clarity with which he described the “why” behind his work. “What I really like about research,” he explained, “is listening to people’s stories, helping them discover their pain points, looking at solutions for them, and just being really curious and ideating along with people.”

Justin’s introduction to research wasn’t born in a lab—it started in small coffee shops, bakeries, and boutique studios where he simply asked questions and paid attention. “My favorite thing was to talk to people. I loved interviewing small business owners. That’s what made me pivot from graphic design to user-centered research.”

He also spoke about the joy and reward of seeing a product go from a vague idea to a fully validated experience in people’s hands.

“It’s memorable to have a question—‘what would it be like to…’—go through all the research, design it, test it, and then put it on your phone. There’s nothing quite like that.”

Throughout the discussion, Justin emphasized the human side of UX research. Whether it was designing dashboard systems for Boeing or interviewing people about their diabetes during the pandemic, his method was rooted in empathy and curiosity.

He reminded students that research is more than testing hypotheses—it’s about asking better questions, listening deeply, and making meaning through patterns.

Now practicing as a Jungian analyst in his clinical work, Justin brings a rare lens to UX research: one that blends design thinking with deep psychological insight. His mentorship encourages students to think critically, stay open to ambiguity, and approach each project as an opportunity to understand people more fully.

For students in the UX/UI Career Launcher program, working with Justin is a chance to learn UX research from someone who has practiced it across industries, mediums, and methodologies. Justin will be mentoring the Advanced Research Project in the upcoming UX/UI Design Career Launcher—an immersive experience focused on user discovery, synthesis, and client-ready research deliverables.

If you’re exploring UX/UI Design as a career path and want to learn from someone who blends rigor, creativity, and empathy, Justin’s project offers a rare opportunity to do just that.

Interested in joining us?

Book a call with our team to see if it’s the right fit for your UX/UI Design journey.