Hey, it's me,
Ben Wood.
UX & DESIGN DIRECTOR
My Skills
SHARPEST TOOLS IN THE BOX
INVISION
SKETCH
PHOTOSHOP
ILLUSTRATOR
INVISION STUDIO
KEYNOTE
HTML & CSS
STICKY NOTES
I am a Creative Director and Experience Designer based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. With over a decade of design experience, I have collaborated with organizations ranging from startups and small businesses to large corporations like Google, UnitedHealth Group, Cargill, Medtronic, 3M and Mattel. My focus is on balancing the kind of artful design that leaves a lasting brand impression with human-centered design methodologies that foster the creation of effortless user experiences. I believe that leadership begins and ends with building personal relationships and that cross-discipline collaboration is a prerequisite for creating great work.
PORTFOLIO
CASE STUDIES
OTHER WORK
Due to privacy restrictions, I am not allowed to share some details of my work.
Please get in touch if you would like to know more about a project.
See more on
Experience
2018–
SalesReach.io
Director of Experience
As Director of Experience, I collaborated with a cross discipline team to bring this SaaS startup to market. My work on branding, initial concepts, prototypes, and MVP designs led to $1.2m in our first raise, an Inno on Fire award from Minne Inno, and acceptance into the Beta.mn program. As a part of the phase 2.0 design work, I created a comprehensive design system to increase efficiency, improve consistency and limit accessibility issues.
2017–2019
Nerdery
XD Domain Lead: Visual Design,
Team Manager, Principal Designer
At the Nerdery I held multiple titles simultaneously. As a team manager and XD Domain Lead for Visual Design, I was accountable for the craft and quality of all visual design work, creating company-wide best practices, and maintaining weekly peer reviews. My job as Principal Designer had me leading all of the XD engagements for Google, one of Nerdery’s highest-profile clients. I provided leadership for our XD teams, was involved in sales efforts, and was a hands-on resource for every iterative milestone, from concept and testing to implementation.
2012–2017
Spyder Trap / Bright Health
Creative Director
I was responsible for leading design on an organizational level in process, practices, pitching, and production. I started Spyder Trap’s first UX research department and helped the agency increase revenue by 50% in the first year in a director role. Post-acquisition, I managed UX/UI Teams across multiple offices, and provided creative direction for Bright Health’s various web properties.
2009–2012
Hello Viking
Graphic Designer
I created UX, IA, and UI solutions for responsive websites and mobile applications. I designed Assets for Social media, email, and remarketing campaigns. I contributed and mentored junior designers, defined company-wide UX processes, and pitched to potential clients.
2008
A SERIOUS MAN
Intern
I designed the location scouting manual, and maps for each shoot location. Worked with the art dept. on period research, production design projects, and department logos.
CONTACT
I am currently looking for a new opportunity within an agency or in-house ux department. If you like my work, let's talk!
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