Management
Overview of my leadership experience:
Arnold Worldwide - Led the global agency's User Experience Design discipline while fully integrating it into the core creative offering. Set and managed the department's organization, team, tasks, tools, recruiting, reviews, and objectives. Oversaw strategy, concept, and execution of all interactive projects across major offices (BOS & NYC). Played an integral roll in scoping, selling, and scaling the agency's digital-related business.
McKinney - Created and developed the Experience Design department from the ground up. Provided department management, recruitment, performance evaluation, incorporated a human-centered design process into the agency work flow, implemented new design methods and tools, played integral role in the development of our agency strategy, instrumental in creation of the creative briefs and experience briefs, mentored and conducted workshops, served as a leading member of the core McKinney brand team.
Wuhu Travel - Served as the Director of User Experience during the conception of the travel start-up. Worked closely with the CMO, Creative Technologist, and Production Lead to conceptually develop a travel website that aimed to deliver services beyond traditional online travel agencies. We went from sketches to an MVP (Minimal Viable Product) in under a year.
Crispin Porter & Bogusky - Was relocated to CP+B's new office in Gothenburg, Sweden to help build the UX department for the European offices (out of both Sweden and London). Served as an ambassador for the greater CP+B brand.
Freelance - Currently run my own freelance design business & consultancy.
McKinney - Created and developed the Experience Design department from the ground up. Provided department management, recruitment, performance evaluation, incorporated a human-centered design process into the agency work flow, implemented new design methods and tools, played integral role in the development of our agency strategy, instrumental in creation of the creative briefs and experience briefs, mentored and conducted workshops, served as a leading member of the core McKinney brand team.
Wuhu Travel - Served as the Director of User Experience during the conception of the travel start-up. Worked closely with the CMO, Creative Technologist, and Production Lead to conceptually develop a travel website that aimed to deliver services beyond traditional online travel agencies. We went from sketches to an MVP (Minimal Viable Product) in under a year.
Crispin Porter & Bogusky - Was relocated to CP+B's new office in Gothenburg, Sweden to help build the UX department for the European offices (out of both Sweden and London). Served as an ambassador for the greater CP+B brand.
Freelance - Currently run my own freelance design business & consultancy.
Organizational Design
Below are several models I developed to guide the evolution of the organizations, processes and design practices I helped manage:
TEAM-BUILDING
Principles and thoughts around building Experience Design teams.
Thought-leadership
Since 2010, I've had opportunities to provide industry thought-leadership for various publications. Below are some highlights:
• 2015, Fei's World podcast interview, 'Unexpected UX'. Interview on my unexpected creative background and current UX challenges
• 2013, UX Magazine article; 'Embracing the UX Spectrum'. This article was placed on UX Magazine's top 10 list of most popular articles of 2013
• 2010, Contributed an excerpt on Brand Ecosystem Design to the book 'Exposing the Magic of Design' by Jon Kolko
• 2015, Fei's World podcast interview, 'Unexpected UX'. Interview on my unexpected creative background and current UX challenges
• 2013, UX Magazine article; 'Embracing the UX Spectrum'. This article was placed on UX Magazine's top 10 list of most popular articles of 2013
• 2010, Contributed an excerpt on Brand Ecosystem Design to the book 'Exposing the Magic of Design' by Jon Kolko
Mentoring & Workshops
Over the past 10+ years, I've served as a mentor and workshop leader for different topics in design, technology, trend analysis, social media and design software. I have a knack for turning traditional meetings into hands-on workshops wherever I go. Here are some of those:
Below is an introductory presentation on Experience Design I delivered to convey the difference and value Experience Design brings to creative agencies.
- Spoken internally and externally about the modern practices of UX Design and Creativity (at SCAD, AC4D, WIT, and General Assembly)
- Conducted hands-on workshops with clients about UX projects (Santander, Progressive Insurance, Century Link, Discovery Channel, Scania, Wuhu Travel, Nationwide Insurance, Golds Gym)
- Conducted introductory classes and mentorship sessions on UX and Design fundamentals (for aspiring UX practitioners and designers). Successfully transferred two art directors, three technologists and a producer into the UX discipline.
- Conducted educational sessions for various creative software.
- Conducted workshops on evolving agile and digital practices.
- Founded the 'Design and Life' movie club— a bi-weekly movie club that got together to watch and discuss art and design documentaries.
Below is an introductory presentation on Experience Design I delivered to convey the difference and value Experience Design brings to creative agencies.
Methodology & Tools
While developing the UX and Experience Design disciplines for Arnold Worldwide, McKinney and CP+B, I introduced and helped develop several processes and tools for creating effective design solutions. Depending on the context of the project, the process and tools will vary. Whether it's a waterfall, agile or hybrid process, the below tools I introduced helped us begin gathering and thinking-through essential aspects of a brand experience.