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, figuring out how to make sense of complicated systems and the tech we all depend on, even when it feels messy and uncertain.  I don’t have decades of experience, but I’m good at asking questions that make people stop and think about how technology shapes our world—and how it could be different.

Right now, I’m working on IRRATIONAL TECHNOLOGY. It’s a design research initiative where I collaborate with artists, writers, and thinkers to challenge how we interact with everyday technology. Through this work, I unpack the political and cultural perspectives embedded in design and push creative boundaries.

Besides that, I handle marketing and design for my family’s business. It’s an opportunity to put UX into places it usually doesn’t show up and make sure what we create actually matters to people.

Currently booking 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.

See Case Study
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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See Case Study

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 exploratiom, 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.

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
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.  

See Case Study

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


2025

Throughout 2025, I have been scaling up IRRATIONAL TECHNOLOGY and pursuing research driven freelance projects (watch this space 😉)


2024

In September 2024, I spoke at a UX Glasgow event, speaking about "Engagement vs. Autonomy: A Gen Z UX Designer's Perspective on Social Media's Real Impact"
In January 2024 I began my Tiktok & Substack newsletter advocating for ethical social media, which you can see here
In April 2024 I started my role as a full-time Digital & Communications Executive at Sano Pizza
From March - October 2024, I completed a voluntary project as UX Design Lead, designing a website for Fortune Works, which you can see here 


2023

In November 2023, I started doing Social Media Management for Sano Pizza, covering Instagram, Tiktok, and several email newsletters
In July 2023, I spoke at the D&AD New Blood Festival, as part of a panel on 'Igniting your Creative Career'
In June 2023 I spoke at the YMS Conference, as part of a panel on attracting and retaining GenZ Talent
In May 2023, I finished my final year university project on social media literacy, which you can see here
Panel interview

D&ad 2023: ignite your creative career 

I participated in a panel  'Igniting your Creative Career' at D&AD New Blood Festival. We discussed how to secure internships and balance work and studies. It was a great opportunity for me to share my experience of breaking into the industry.

Unibeez invited me to speak on this panel as an ambassador for their brand. I used Unibeez throughout my time at university and, by sharing my story on this panel, effectively encouraged people to sign up.

Watch Panel Interview


2022

In Summer 2022 (June-August), I went down to London with Saltire Scholars, to complete a UX Internship at GSK.
In May 2022, I designed and developed an improved website for Sano Pizza
In March 2022, I got a part-time role as Web and Product Designer at Reuser, creating website improvements and prototypes.
In January 2022, I was part of a team that designed a mobile app for a Pilates instructor


2020/21

In August 2021, I completed a 4-week UI brief with Sky, exploring new screen sharing features for the SkyGo app
In June 2021, I completed a 4-week UX Internship at travel start-up, creating prototypes and branding improvements
In Autumn 2020, I completed a module on ‘Practical Interaction Design,’ and discovered my passion for UX & Interaction Design.
In February 2021, I put together my first portfolio, signed up for the Unibeez platform, and got a week's work helping at a UX Design studio, Deeson

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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