Digital Product Design. User testing. UX Leadership.

Digital Product Design. User testing.
UX Leadership.

I'm a Digital Designer who has been around and back again. I've worked with small companies, large digital agencies, and currently with digital products at LEGO®. I've lead teams, and worked on the ground as both a design lead, people leader, and more.

Experience

Lead Digital Product Designer, LEGO Systems A/S, Billund, DK, 2018 - current

  • Currently Lead Digital Product designer on product team working on large scale apps and web experiences for kids. Work as both a tactical product leader and designer, and as a floater or fixer on sensitive/high visiblity stakeholder projects.

  • Most recent work includes refactoring of LEGO.com shop and web, leading LEGO Life kids' social media app, and working on exciting (and secret) future projects.

Senior Manager, UX/UI Design, LEGO Systems A/S, Billund, DK, 2007 - 2018

  • Senior Manager on multidisciplinary team of UI designers, UX designers, and usability researchers. Scope of work includes work for LEGO.com, LEGO Ideas app design (LEGO Life) and prototype building and usability testing.

  • Previous work at LEGO includes Design Lead for customization projects (Design byME and Hero Factory) where users could design their own custom LEGO sets. Lead design work on other storytelling applications (Comic Builder and Storystarter).

Product Designer, Microsoft, Seattle, WA, 2003-2007

  • Lead Designer of codename “Grava” – an experimental application to allow teachers, students and publishers to quickly assemble visually rich nonlinear projects, assessments, and simulations. Lead design team of four, in a multinational product development team of forty.

  • Other work at Microsoft includes Encarta online features and Encarta finished goods DVD products, and work on Learning Essentials and other education-focused applications.

Freelance Designer, Seattle, WA, 2002-2007

  • Designer and manager of multiple concurrent projects ranging from site design for genetic research institutions and telecommunications companies – to an innovative interface for a freelance illustrator.

  • Client list includes brand/ID design for Harvard Medical School, demo creation for Network Solutions, book jacket design and illustration for Penguin Books.

Senior UX Designer, Sapient (now Publicis Sapient) Cambridge, MA, 2000-2002

  • Lead visual UI design in Education, Government and Healthcare division on projects ranging in scope from large-scale web applications to sales presentations. Worked on several projects dealing with the creation of a clear design system merging existing legacy websites and brands.

  • Client work includes Global Risk Exchange, Verizon, Aetna, Akamai, and The United States Marine Corps.

Senior Visual Designer, ZEFER, Boston, MA, 1999-2000

  • Senior Designer responsible for visual design and information architecture on several dot.com and Fortune 1000 projects. Worked with small to medium sized (occasionally national) teams.

  • Client work includes brand, site design, and information architecture for Foodline.com (an early online restaurant reservation management system). UI/UX design on website and in-restaurant interface.

Designer, Ark Studios, Boston, MA, 1996-1999

  • Senior Designer responsible for daily management of art direction and design on several concurrent projects. Direct contact with client, often managing my own projects independently.

  • Client list includes work for The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Environmental Protection Agency, Houghton Mifflin Inc, and projects for Sheraton Inc.

Sega of America, Intern, Los Angles, CA, winter 1995

  • Concept designer for (very early!) massive multiplayer online games.

Education

  • B.I.D. Bachelors Industrial Design Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), US, 1996-1997

  • B.F.A. RISD, US, 1992-1996

Skills

  • Proficient in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Various user testing platforms

  • Strong illustration skills

  • Extensive client-facing/facilitation experience

  • Usability testing experience - facilitation, analysis and protocol creation (with all ages kids and adults)

  • UX/Information design experience

  • Project scoping and people management

  • Proficient in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and Framer.

  • Strong understanding of user-centered design principles.

  • Ability to conduct comprehensive user research and usability testing.

  • Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Personal qualities

  • Strong communicator, capable of effectively articulating design concepts, presenting and writing

  • Collaborative and calm team player with a positive attitude

  • Passion for writing and storytelling

Interests

  • 3D modeling and printing

  • Crocheting and origami

  • Reading, especially science fiction and essays

Interested in connecting?

Let’s talk projects, collaborations, or anything design!

Interested in connecting?

Let’s talk projects, collaborations, or anything design!

Interested in connecting?

Let’s talk projects, collaborations, or anything design!

Copyright 2024 by Jason Ralls

Copyright 2024 by Jason Ralls

Copyright 2024 by Jason Ralls