Hello!
I am a Product Design Leader with over 12 years of hands-on experience creating and launching digital tools catering to a diverse range of industries and audiences. I am currently seeking my next Product Design Lead role. In the interim, I am contracting with clients such as The Wall Street Journal, Ford Innovation Labs, CNN Arabia, and others to expand their businesses through innovative and user-centric solutions.
I have worked on products at all stages of the product lifecycle, from (nebulous) ideation to validation, MVP definition, prototyping, testing, and iteration. My core competencies include user research, UX/UI, product and platform strategy, responsive web and app design, design systems, branding, and design team management/mentorship.
I have developed and evolved design systems as well as brand identities and collateral for numerous companies. I am a hands on designer with expert level proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite and I have a strong track record of achieving buy-in with clients and stakeholders when presenting findings and recommendations.
Reach out and say hi cas@claresmythe.com
Employment History
2021 - 2024 - Independant Contributor - Contract
Driving growth through the development of digital tools for clients including: The Wall Street Journal, Ford Innovation Labs, CNN Arabia, Northeastern University, Publix, Sage Business and others.
2018 - 2020 - Director of Product Design and Brand - Empatico
Executive Leadership Team Member, Product & Platform Strategy, Brand Strategy & Identity, Design Research, Responsive Web UX/UI, Site Architecture, Product Launch, Design Team Management, Creative Direction, Usability Testing, Social Strategy and Creative, Art Direction (Video), Art Direction (Photography)
2015 - 2018 - Design Director - Siberia - NYC
Product & Platform Strategy, UX/UI, Responsive Web and App Design/Development. Brand Strategy & Identity, Site Architecture, Design Team Management, Pitch Development, Creative Direction, Usability Testing.
2012 - 2015 - Design Director - OneRockwell
Creative direction and oversight of high profile e-commerce design projects in the fashion and luxury goods space, UX/UI E-commerce and campaign design, Ideation of bespoke digital products to realize clients business objectives, Leading design, development and presentation of new business pitches, Photography art direction, Management and mentorship of the Creative and Design Team
2009 - 2011 Designer - Createthe Group
UX/UI E-commerce and campaign site design, Translation of advertising and above the line campaigns into the digital space/experiences
Education
BA Creative Advertising & Communication Design - RMIT University (Australia)
Certificate IV in Graphic Design
Technical Skills
Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Sketch, Figma, Premiere, After Effects
References by request.
Australian Citizen
US Green Card
I have worked on products at all stages of the product lifecycle, from (nebulous) ideation to validation, MVP definition, prototyping, testing, and iteration. My core competencies include user research, UX/UI, product and platform strategy, responsive web and app design, design systems, branding, and design team management/mentorship.
I have developed and evolved design systems as well as brand identities and collateral for numerous companies. I am a hands on designer with expert level proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite and I have a strong track record of achieving buy-in with clients and stakeholders when presenting findings and recommendations.
Reach out and say hi cas@claresmythe.com
Employment History
2021 - 2024 - Independant Contributor - Contract
Driving growth through the development of digital tools for clients including: The Wall Street Journal, Ford Innovation Labs, CNN Arabia, Northeastern University, Publix, Sage Business and others.
2018 - 2020 - Director of Product Design and Brand - Empatico
Executive Leadership Team Member, Product & Platform Strategy, Brand Strategy & Identity, Design Research, Responsive Web UX/UI, Site Architecture, Product Launch, Design Team Management, Creative Direction, Usability Testing, Social Strategy and Creative, Art Direction (Video), Art Direction (Photography)
2015 - 2018 - Design Director - Siberia - NYC
Product & Platform Strategy, UX/UI, Responsive Web and App Design/Development. Brand Strategy & Identity, Site Architecture, Design Team Management, Pitch Development, Creative Direction, Usability Testing.
2012 - 2015 - Design Director - OneRockwell
Creative direction and oversight of high profile e-commerce design projects in the fashion and luxury goods space, UX/UI E-commerce and campaign design, Ideation of bespoke digital products to realize clients business objectives, Leading design, development and presentation of new business pitches, Photography art direction, Management and mentorship of the Creative and Design Team
2009 - 2011 Designer - Createthe Group
UX/UI E-commerce and campaign site design, Translation of advertising and above the line campaigns into the digital space/experiences
Education
BA Creative Advertising & Communication Design - RMIT University (Australia)
Certificate IV in Graphic Design
Technical Skills
Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Sketch, Figma, Premiere, After Effects
References by request.
Australian Citizen
US Green Card
