Lou Millar-MacHugh

Curious, critical, and a little stubborn. Designing tech that matters.

Lou Millar-MacHugh

Curious, critical, and a little stubborn. Designing tech that matters.

Gen Z UX & Interaction Designer exploring how to make the impact of complex technology on our lives. My current focus is on my educational initiative, IRRATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, driving awareness and collaborations with various creatives to challenge our everyday interactions with technology. I also manage marketing and design for my family's business, taking the impact of UX to places that don't often see it.

Currently available for research-driven freelance projects

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web design | accesibility | usability testing

Creating a User-First Charity Website

UX Lead for a website redesign with Fortune Works  to create an accessible website that, enhances access to crucial community services & effectively communicates the charity mission.

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web design | brand strategy

Redesigning Sano's wesite & brand Experience

Led a website redesign project for a multi-location restaurant, employing iterative design techniques, co-design and user-centric solutions and data-driven decision-making.

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DISCOVER

DEFINE

DEVELOP

DELIVER

DESIGN THINKING, SERVICE DESIGN, UX DESIGN

Improving Teen Experiences of Social Media

Recognizing the challenges teenagers face on social media, I developed a teacher-led, digitally-enabled program focused on social media literacy.

Design Case StudyParent & Teacher Guide
presentation & talk

A Gen Z UX Designer’s Perspective on Social Media’s Real Impact

As the first Gen Z speaker invited by UX Glasgow, I presented my Honours Project, showcasing my advocacy for social media literacy and its influence on my design work.

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Through Irrational Technology, I invite people to thoughtfully examine how technology shapes our lives and environments. I create educational resources, share analytical essays, and collaborate with designers, academics, artists, and technologists. IT serves as a space bridging academic research and creative exploration, fostering dialogue about the effects of technology on culture, society, and personal experience.

Discover IRRATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Start a Collaboration
content collaboration

better digital spaces 

Through authentic storytelling and hands-on demonstrations, I help ethical tech platforms like Sublime reach conscious users. My approach drove 675+ saves on TikTok by focusing on quality engagement over viral metrics.

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content collaboration

surveillance & resistance 

I spoke with artist Irma Besirevic exploring how smartphones choreograph behaviour, persuasive design, digital coercion, and the liberatory potential of tech co-created with communities.

Read Interview
Podcast appearance

Reclaiming our digital lives

I joined Sluggish to talk about the deeper questions we should be asking about social media—why understanding matters more than control, how leftist values can inform tech design, and what ADHD-friendly tools beyond productivity might look like.

Listen Now
blog post

Design education can transform how teenagers use social media

I wrote a blog post for Catalyst about my research into social media literacy. I wanted to create a more accssible, values-aligned blog explaining the role of social media literacy in a more equitable digital future

Read Now
content collaboration

better digital spaces 

Through authentic storytelling and hands-on demonstrations, I help ethical tech platforms like Sublime reach conscious users. My approach drove 675+ saves on TikTok by focusing on quality engagement over viral metrics.

Read Case Study
content collaboration

surveillance & resistance 

I spoke with artist Irma Besirevic exploring how smartphones choreograph behaviour, persuasive design, digital coercion, and the liberatory potential of tech co-created with communities.

Read Interview
Podcast appearance

Reclaiming our digital lives

I joined Sluggish to talk about the deeper questions we should be asking about social media—why understanding matters more than control, how leftist values can inform tech design, and what ADHD-friendly tools beyond productivity might look like.

Listen Now
blog post

Design education can transform how teenagers use social media

I wrote a blog post for Catalyst about my research into social media literacy. I wanted to create a more accssible, values-aligned blog explaining the role of social media literacy in a more equitable digital future

Read Now

DISCOVER

DEFINE

DEVELOP

DELIVER

UX DESIGN AND RESEARCH

Enhancing Internal Tools Through User-Centered Design 

I designed a platform for Digital Media and Interaction Design students to better understand their career paths and take actionable steps toward their aspirations. By improving access to vital career resources, I empowered students to confidently embark on their professional journeys.  

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DISCOVER

DEFINE

DEVELOP

DELIVER

DESIGN THINKING & SERVICE DESIGN

BRIDGING EDUCATION & INDUSTRY

I supported a local pilates instructor in launching a mobile app that promotes an active lifestyle for remote workers. Working collaboratively with developers, I ensured that tech expertise was accessible to the local community, empowering them to take significant strides in their business endeavors.  

See Case Study

DISCOVER

DEFINE

DEVELOP

DELIVER

BRANDING & UX DESIGN

Making Exercise Accessible During Remote Work

I supported a local pilates instructor in launching a mobile app that promotes an active lifestyle for remote workers. Working collaboratively with developers, I ensured that tech expertise was accessible to the local community, empowering them to take significant strides in their business endeavors.   

See Case Study

I reply to all freelance enquiries within 24h. Initial (free) discovery call is included for all projects. If you're not sure what you're looking for - that's no problem, just fill out the form and I will get in touch to schedule a call.

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