Fitness science nerd with a design problem. ☀️

Hi, I'm Kat. The fitness science part means I hold a Bachelor's in Exercise Science, an ACE-CPT, and am actively pursuing my CSCS. The design problem means I have a full background in UX/UI, graphic design, and marketing, and I've never quite been able to turn it off. Turns out that's not a bad thing.

This portfolio is never finished, just like good design. It grows as I do, reflecting the constant balance between creativity, usability, and impact. Here, you’ll find projects, experiments, and lessons that shape how I approach problems today.

Please note: Due to NDAs, projects have been sanitized, generalized, and simplified.

Jump to: Synthesis Fit • Master's Research • FE Development • Product Design • Graphic Design • Photography • Side Quests • FAQ

Synthesis Fit & Boundless Tests

When a fitness science nerd schemes up ways to solve a $30 billion problem.

Thesis project — MS Business Innovation, Full Sail University

Most fitness apps are one-size-fits-all, leaving users with gaps, imbalances, and little real engagement. That’s why 97% of people stop using them within 30 days.

Synthesis Fit is built differently. We gamify fitness assessments, track personal bests, and deliver meaningful training insights, all while connecting users with fitness professionals. The fitness app market is projected to hit $30 billion by 2026, and we’re here to stand out with dynamic, data-driven features that keep users engaged.

We’re not just another fitness tracker collecting digital dust. We’re building the future of personalized training. Let’s reconnect and talk about how we can bring smarter training to more people.

Everyone is different, which means no two baselines are the same, and yet the fitness app market continues to deliver the same one-size-fits-all experience. This is the problem Synthesis Fit aims to solve.

Tensions with the MVP

Building toward that vision raised a classic product issue: validate a focused MVP first, or design for the full platform? That's where Boundless Tests came in. A modular fitness assessment framework, Boundless Tests, was the smaller, immediately testable concept, essentially, a pick-and-choose baseline testing system that tracks progress on your terms. Two connected ideas at different scopes, both solving the same root problem.

As someone who clearly loves fitness and training, it was hard not to go "Burger King" on this concept and have it my way, continually adding other features, because frankly, it is exciting to think about and is something I think about all the time. I can't find something that makes me want to build it. I worked really diligently to see what others would want to see and find useful, and even asked them. I will expand on that in a separate post soon, but for now... Know that I did my homework and that I wanted (and still want) this to work out in some capacity. (No pun intended!)

Wrapping up thoughts

This project was incredibly fun and something I still think about all the time. It would be a great privilege to be at the forefront of building a product like this to help people become more fitness-literate and, in doing so, become healthier and the best versions of themselves. For transparency, this project was near and dear to my heart.

The Real Cost of Reach

Reaching the right users takes more than luck. This post breaks down thoughts on how to attract, win over, and retain customers who come back for more.

Katherine JensenKatherine Jensen

Master's Research: Business Innovation Meets Human Performance

A few of my favorite papers from my MS in Business Innovation, including a thesis concept built around solving a real problem in the fitness industry.

Tony Fadell

Tony Fadell’s journey, like that of the Wright Brothers, exemplifies how creative mastery, resilience through failure, and user-focused innovation can lead to groundbreaking entrepreneurial success.

Katherine JensenKatherine Jensen

The Lean Startup

A concise overview of the Lean Startup methodology, detailing its vision-steer-accelerate framework, MVP ethos, and iterative build-measure-learn loop as a faster, cheaper alternative to traditional business planning for validating and evolving entrepreneurial ideas.

Katherine JensenKatherine Jensen

So Simple, It’s Hard

Sharing my take on startup advice, why meetings aren’t always it, and what matters when you’re an entrepreneur starting on a new venture.

Katherine JensenKatherine Jensen

Pitch, Please.

How to Sell Yourself Before the Doors Open

Katherine JensenKatherine Jensen

Front End Development Coursework

A full product design engagement for an upscale pet boutique: competitor audit, brand strategy, wireframes, and a hand-coded build from the ground up.

Product Design

Highlights of solutions helping with organization, conversion, and productivity. Many projects involved collaboration, and I genuinely enjoy brainstorming sessions with other creatives who are passionate about delivering the best user experience and achieving the best business outcomes.

Managing Collections: UX Case Study on Workflow Efficiency

Designing for speed and autonomy means helping users complete frequent tasks without friction. This feature focused on giving users direct control to edit, duplicate, or delete collections, reducing dependency on internal teams and improving overall workflow efficiency. The Problem Users needed a faster way to manage recurring content groups. Manual

Katherine JensenKatherine Jensen

Graphic Design

Highlights from different types of projects with past jobs, freelancing, and passion projects.

Rebranding The Overrun: Menu Design & Launch Marketing

A full rebrand of the Columbus Club restaurant: Starting with only the list of menu items to printed menus, table cards, and a social media launch with a visiting HQ chef.

Katherine JensenKatherine Jensen

Photography

Highlights from travels, work, and film.

Side Quests

I love learning new skills. Here are a few different random projects I have taken on to not only learn something new, but also to help keep the creative juices flowing.

Yen Or Nah: A Useful Apple Script

With a move to Okinawa on the horizon, I built a small Apple Shortcut to make Yen-to-USD conversion effortless on the go. Small script, real problem solved.

Katherine JensenKatherine Jensen

One Week, One Donut, No Regrets

In 2021, I needed to learn something new for no reason other than free will. Seven days, one donut, and a computer pushed to its limits later, I have a whole new respect for 3D artists.

Katherine JensenKatherine Jensen

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Ways to Connect: