Rowan Pierce (they/them)
@rowanpierce.uk
Giving feedback to make stories and web content more clear and considerate. Looking for work (entry-level, part-time, remote). I'm disabled and autistic, and love SFF and indie games. Always looking to learn more and connect with folks! www.rowanpierce.uk
Pinned
Rowan Pierce (they/them)
@rowanpierce.uk
· Apr 24
I wrote a bit about a checklist I made for my previous role this week. I really like taking complex processes and turning them into something easy to follow.
If you need help making job aids your team can use on the fly, I'd love to have a chat 🙂
www.rowanpierce.uk/design-case-...
If you need help making job aids your team can use on the fly, I'd love to have a chat 🙂
www.rowanpierce.uk/design-case-...
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
"meme" is short for memento mori
October 7, 2025 at 3:53 AM
"meme" is short for memento mori
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
I got a message from him on Friday - keep an eye out for scams!
#scamalert For indie publishers running shops or that have customer forms on their websites (even if you don't sell your own product directly), keep an eye out for emails from William Cooper in Malta.
It'll seem innocuous enough, but then try to place a large volume order solely via email.
It'll seem innocuous enough, but then try to place a large volume order solely via email.
October 5, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I got a message from him on Friday - keep an eye out for scams!
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
This is very much a breach of privacy and I hope/assume will lead to some therapists losing licenses.
If a therapist of mine ever did this I would fire them into the sun
www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/02/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/02/1...
Therapists are secretly using ChatGPT during sessions. Clients are triggered.
www.technologyreview.com
September 6, 2025 at 7:01 PM
This is very much a breach of privacy and I hope/assume will lead to some therapists losing licenses.
Digital inclusion folks, do you have a first-timer's guide to using the internet handy?
This Mastodon poster needs one, to support someone through a very difficult situation.
Please let them know if you can help!
(I don't have more context, so can't answer questions)
aus.social/@coolandnorm...
This Mastodon poster needs one, to support someone through a very difficult situation.
Please let them know if you can help!
(I don't have more context, so can't answer questions)
aus.social/@coolandnorm...
September 7, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Digital inclusion folks, do you have a first-timer's guide to using the internet handy?
This Mastodon poster needs one, to support someone through a very difficult situation.
Please let them know if you can help!
(I don't have more context, so can't answer questions)
aus.social/@coolandnorm...
This Mastodon poster needs one, to support someone through a very difficult situation.
Please let them know if you can help!
(I don't have more context, so can't answer questions)
aus.social/@coolandnorm...
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
3. They go, "Nah, disagree; get onboard, or piss off" and that's sort of that.
In that context, is there a positive vision of how designers might work *with* AI? (Because that's better than AI working without designers.)
In that context, is there a positive vision of how designers might work *with* AI? (Because that's better than AI working without designers.)
September 4, 2025 at 10:32 AM
3. They go, "Nah, disagree; get onboard, or piss off" and that's sort of that.
In that context, is there a positive vision of how designers might work *with* AI? (Because that's better than AI working without designers.)
In that context, is there a positive vision of how designers might work *with* AI? (Because that's better than AI working without designers.)
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
OK, serious work-related question...
1. Organisations begin to think they don't need user-centred designers because "AI can do that". (Already happening.)
2. We say, "Ah, but you need designers because..." and give a ton of real, compelling reasons, from quality to ethics.
1. Organisations begin to think they don't need user-centred designers because "AI can do that". (Already happening.)
2. We say, "Ah, but you need designers because..." and give a ton of real, compelling reasons, from quality to ethics.
September 4, 2025 at 10:32 AM
OK, serious work-related question...
1. Organisations begin to think they don't need user-centred designers because "AI can do that". (Already happening.)
2. We say, "Ah, but you need designers because..." and give a ton of real, compelling reasons, from quality to ethics.
1. Organisations begin to think they don't need user-centred designers because "AI can do that". (Already happening.)
2. We say, "Ah, but you need designers because..." and give a ton of real, compelling reasons, from quality to ethics.
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
👀 @w3c.bsky.social WAI invites you to comment on the updated:
W3C Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 3.0 Working Draft
#WCAG #a11y
www.w3.org/TR/wcag-3.0/
W3C Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 3.0 Working Draft
#WCAG #a11y
www.w3.org/TR/wcag-3.0/
W3C Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 3.0
W3C Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 3.0 will provide a wide range of recommendations for making web content more accessible to users with disabilities. Following these guidelines will address many of ...
www.w3.org
September 4, 2025 at 2:23 PM
👀 @w3c.bsky.social WAI invites you to comment on the updated:
W3C Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 3.0 Working Draft
#WCAG #a11y
www.w3.org/TR/wcag-3.0/
W3C Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 3.0 Working Draft
#WCAG #a11y
www.w3.org/TR/wcag-3.0/
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
Working with Emma over the past 2 years has been a pleasure. She’s extremely good at voice and character work, and I hope she snags a role that lets these strengths of hers flourish. I wholeheartedly recommend her for anything.
Hi! I was laid off from Firaxis this morning. I wrote leaders and civs for Civilization VII (NDA for now) and Deadpool and Storm for Marvel's Midnight Suns. I also wrote the award-nominated Hindsight.
I'm available for full time, remote work starting ASAP. DMs are open:
emmkid.info
I'm available for full time, remote work starting ASAP. DMs are open:
emmkid.info
Portfolio
emmkid.info
September 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Working with Emma over the past 2 years has been a pleasure. She’s extremely good at voice and character work, and I hope she snags a role that lets these strengths of hers flourish. I wholeheartedly recommend her for anything.
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
Hi! I was laid off from Firaxis this morning. I wrote leaders and civs for Civilization VII (NDA for now) and Deadpool and Storm for Marvel's Midnight Suns. I also wrote the award-nominated Hindsight.
I'm available for full time, remote work starting ASAP. DMs are open:
emmkid.info
I'm available for full time, remote work starting ASAP. DMs are open:
emmkid.info
Portfolio
emmkid.info
September 4, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Hi! I was laid off from Firaxis this morning. I wrote leaders and civs for Civilization VII (NDA for now) and Deadpool and Storm for Marvel's Midnight Suns. I also wrote the award-nominated Hindsight.
I'm available for full time, remote work starting ASAP. DMs are open:
emmkid.info
I'm available for full time, remote work starting ASAP. DMs are open:
emmkid.info
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
I got laid off from Firaxis today. I helped ship Marvel's Midnight Suns DLC and Civilization VII, and would love to talk to you about mid level Producer roles.
September 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I got laid off from Firaxis today. I helped ship Marvel's Midnight Suns DLC and Civilization VII, and would love to talk to you about mid level Producer roles.
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
Hey y'all- I was impacted by the layoffs at Firaxis this morning. If you or anyone you know needs a mid to senior level materials artist that has experience in building material libraries, lighting, 2D art, and props I'm your girl!https://www.artstation.com/daniellazeman
Daniella Zeman
Concept/Materials/Lighting @ Firaxis Games
www.artstation.com
September 4, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Hey y'all- I was impacted by the layoffs at Firaxis this morning. If you or anyone you know needs a mid to senior level materials artist that has experience in building material libraries, lighting, 2D art, and props I'm your girl!https://www.artstation.com/daniellazeman
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
Chat today about care homes and NHS funding. A phrase that has power for when funding is threatened because person has not fallen/been ill because they are in care.
A well-met need is still a need
A well-met need is still a need
September 3, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Chat today about care homes and NHS funding. A phrase that has power for when funding is threatened because person has not fallen/been ill because they are in care.
A well-met need is still a need
A well-met need is still a need
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
Emotional Design issues in chat today. How do you encounter emotion and stress in service and content design that appreciates the human need to be recognised and reciprocated?
Card from Emotional Design workshops I run.
Card from Emotional Design workshops I run.
September 3, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Emotional Design issues in chat today. How do you encounter emotion and stress in service and content design that appreciates the human need to be recognised and reciprocated?
Card from Emotional Design workshops I run.
Card from Emotional Design workshops I run.
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
Spotlight: African Translation Project
We'd like to shine a light on an initiative dedicated to translating modern fiction from non-colonial African languages into English. Projects like these ensure that our stories are shared, celebrated and read by readers globally. 🧵
We'd like to shine a light on an initiative dedicated to translating modern fiction from non-colonial African languages into English. Projects like these ensure that our stories are shared, celebrated and read by readers globally. 🧵
August 17, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Spotlight: African Translation Project
We'd like to shine a light on an initiative dedicated to translating modern fiction from non-colonial African languages into English. Projects like these ensure that our stories are shared, celebrated and read by readers globally. 🧵
We'd like to shine a light on an initiative dedicated to translating modern fiction from non-colonial African languages into English. Projects like these ensure that our stories are shared, celebrated and read by readers globally. 🧵
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
We are on the cusp of AGI, definitely for real
August 17, 2025 at 8:56 PM
We are on the cusp of AGI, definitely for real
This is a great little quiz for learning about what makes an email address (technically!) valid or invalid.
Some of the possibilities are horribly, horribly cursed 😂
I scored 11/21, which apparently makes me average?
Some of the possibilities are horribly, horribly cursed 😂
I scored 11/21, which apparently makes me average?
August 18, 2025 at 8:10 AM
This is a great little quiz for learning about what makes an email address (technically!) valid or invalid.
Some of the possibilities are horribly, horribly cursed 😂
I scored 11/21, which apparently makes me average?
Some of the possibilities are horribly, horribly cursed 😂
I scored 11/21, which apparently makes me average?
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
This week we launched our ADHD assessment survey. The stories coming in are hard to read. Frustration, exhaustion, resilience.
Weeknote #5 is about the stories behind the numbers. Read and share your own.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
medium.com/adhd-pathfin...
Weeknote #5 is about the stories behind the numbers. Read and share your own.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
medium.com/adhd-pathfin...
ADHD Pathfinding Weeknote #5
15 August 2025 — The stories behind the numbers
medium.com
August 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
This week we launched our ADHD assessment survey. The stories coming in are hard to read. Frustration, exhaustion, resilience.
Weeknote #5 is about the stories behind the numbers. Read and share your own.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
medium.com/adhd-pathfin...
Weeknote #5 is about the stories behind the numbers. Read and share your own.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
medium.com/adhd-pathfin...
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
Am also open to smaller freelance projects if that’s of interest 😊
I’ve worked with GDS, Springer Nature, BT, the Wellcome Trust, the BBC and the NHS - and I’d love to work with you too if you’re cool ❤️
August 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Am also open to smaller freelance projects if that’s of interest 😊
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
It's only 4 weeks until the first Access:Given, a one-day digital accessibility conference in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
We're excited to be supporting this event and its female founders.
There are only a few tickets left - you can find out more information on the website:
buff.ly/plgNx4u
We're excited to be supporting this event and its female founders.
There are only a few tickets left - you can find out more information on the website:
buff.ly/plgNx4u
Access:Given | Digital Accessibility Conference in Newcastle Upon Tyne
Join us on 10th September 2025 for Access:Given, a one day digital accessibility conference in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
buff.ly
August 14, 2025 at 8:01 AM
It's only 4 weeks until the first Access:Given, a one-day digital accessibility conference in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
We're excited to be supporting this event and its female founders.
There are only a few tickets left - you can find out more information on the website:
buff.ly/plgNx4u
We're excited to be supporting this event and its female founders.
There are only a few tickets left - you can find out more information on the website:
buff.ly/plgNx4u
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
No matter how familiar you are with accessibility, it can still be a challenge to spot when your content isn't working for your users.
Considerate Content by Rebekah Barry guides you through how to make content more inclusive and accessible, with a focus on neurodivergence and health conditions.
Considerate Content by Rebekah Barry guides you through how to make content more inclusive and accessible, with a focus on neurodivergence and health conditions.
Considerate Content - Paperback and eBook bundle
We work with organisations, big and small, to transform their content and help them succeed.
buff.ly
August 11, 2025 at 8:01 AM
No matter how familiar you are with accessibility, it can still be a challenge to spot when your content isn't working for your users.
Considerate Content by Rebekah Barry guides you through how to make content more inclusive and accessible, with a focus on neurodivergence and health conditions.
Considerate Content by Rebekah Barry guides you through how to make content more inclusive and accessible, with a focus on neurodivergence and health conditions.
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
🚨 We’re Hiring Interns & Associates!🚨
Are you a creative mind ready to make magic? 🎨✨
We're looking for Graphic Designers, Motion Visual Designers, and Digital Marketing to join our Internship Program
👉 Apply now: yetistudio.co/job-application-form
#Hiring #InternshipOpportunity #GraphicDesignIntern
Are you a creative mind ready to make magic? 🎨✨
We're looking for Graphic Designers, Motion Visual Designers, and Digital Marketing to join our Internship Program
👉 Apply now: yetistudio.co/job-application-form
#Hiring #InternshipOpportunity #GraphicDesignIntern
August 11, 2025 at 6:23 AM
🚨 We’re Hiring Interns & Associates!🚨
Are you a creative mind ready to make magic? 🎨✨
We're looking for Graphic Designers, Motion Visual Designers, and Digital Marketing to join our Internship Program
👉 Apply now: yetistudio.co/job-application-form
#Hiring #InternshipOpportunity #GraphicDesignIntern
Are you a creative mind ready to make magic? 🎨✨
We're looking for Graphic Designers, Motion Visual Designers, and Digital Marketing to join our Internship Program
👉 Apply now: yetistudio.co/job-application-form
#Hiring #InternshipOpportunity #GraphicDesignIntern
Completely fascinated by this piece.
I love the way it invites you to do deep exploration – both within the text and outside the text – without actually *demanding* anything of you.
I love the way it invites you to do deep exploration – both within the text and outside the text – without actually *demanding* anything of you.
Do you like lyric games and meta games? Did you think the problem with The Beginner's Guide / The Stanley Parable was that they didn't have enough layers? Do you like late-night Wikipedia binges that only make sense to you?
My new 'game' is free for one day only:
xenolight.itch.io/chaos-magic
My new 'game' is free for one day only:
xenolight.itch.io/chaos-magic
Chaos Magic by xenolight
A lyric game about losing yourself in your best friend or lover
xenolight.itch.io
August 11, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Completely fascinated by this piece.
I love the way it invites you to do deep exploration – both within the text and outside the text – without actually *demanding* anything of you.
I love the way it invites you to do deep exploration – both within the text and outside the text – without actually *demanding* anything of you.
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
August 5, 2025 at 6:16 PM
"Real insights come from unexpected behavior... We can’t replicate it with LLMs."
This is key. LLM training smooths out outliers and edge cases. But outliers and edge cases are real people who need you to listen to them.
If you only test with AI personas, you're blocking those people out.
This is key. LLM training smooths out outliers and edge cases. But outliers and edge cases are real people who need you to listen to them.
If you only test with AI personas, you're blocking those people out.
@vitalyf.bsky.social on “How To Argue Against ✨ #AI -First #Research”.
www.smashingmagazine.com/2025/03/how-...
www.smashingmagazine.com/2025/03/how-...
How To Argue Against AI-First Research — Smashing Magazine
Companies have been turning their attention to “synthetic,” AI-driven user testing. However, as convenient as it might seem, it’s dangerous, expensive, and usually diminishes user value. Let’s take a ...
www.smashingmagazine.com
August 6, 2025 at 9:05 AM
"Real insights come from unexpected behavior... We can’t replicate it with LLMs."
This is key. LLM training smooths out outliers and edge cases. But outliers and edge cases are real people who need you to listen to them.
If you only test with AI personas, you're blocking those people out.
This is key. LLM training smooths out outliers and edge cases. But outliers and edge cases are real people who need you to listen to them.
If you only test with AI personas, you're blocking those people out.
Reposted by Rowan Pierce (they/them)
More tax revenue ➡️ more municipal services ➡️ better place to live ➡️ more millionaires want to live there
it just works.
it just works.
1. The extra marginal tax rate will affect millionaires' daily lives almost not at all, which is why in reality none of them would leave the state.
2. When you have this much money, your accountant/financial folks are already making you as tax efficient as possible.
www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...
2. When you have this much money, your accountant/financial folks are already making you as tax efficient as possible.
www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...
Not fleeing: New report shows more wealthy residents in Mass., 2 years into 'millionaire's tax'
Despite previous concerns, Massachusetts' "millionaire's tax" hasn't seemed to deter high-earners from continuing to live here, according to a new study from the Institute for Policy Studies.
www.wbur.org
August 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
More tax revenue ➡️ more municipal services ➡️ better place to live ➡️ more millionaires want to live there
it just works.
it just works.