Great to meet you!

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Great to meet you! //

Welcome recruiters, design leaders, and those alike.

I view design as more than a tool—it's a liberating force integral to human experience, often misunderstood as merely aesthetic. I'm committed to revealing its deeper role in shaping organizations and societies.

My design journey, marked by resilience and adaptability, has been influenced by the wisdom of my grandparents and spans beyond e-commerce to digital innovation. Central to my philosophy is empathy, not just sympathy, but a deep, patient, and open understanding of others' experiences. This enables me to create solutions that genuinely meet users' needs, moving past surface-level design.

My focus extends beyond visuals to designing life-enhancing experiences, grounded in a deep understanding of human behavior. I believe great design reflects the designer's essence, drawing from personal insights and a dedication to constant improvement, inspired by visionaries and a respect for design's history.

These principles guide not only exceptional design but also the formation of outstanding teams. Leading with these values, I aim to deepen the impact of design in organizations, demonstrating its true potential.

My core philosophy, cultivated over the years and through my experience leading teams, is grounded in three core principles that I carry with me wherever I go.

Outcomes, Not Optics

I firmly believe that the value of tangible results far exceeds that of superficial appearances, a conviction I hold dear in my approach to leadership. To me, this principle underscores the vital importance of prioritizing substance over style. It’s about focusing on the real impact of our actions rather than merely how these actions are perceived.

By embracing this mindset, I strive to foster an organizational culture rich in accountability, innovation, and authentic collaboration. It’s a culture that values individuals for their tangible contributions and achievements, not just their presentation skills. This approach not only encourages recognition based on real merit but also cultivates an environment where everyone’s efforts are acknowledged and appreciated for the measurable differences they make.

In my leadership journey, I've seen how this philosophy ensures that true merit is recognized and valued, laying the foundation for a truly impactful and meritocratic organization.

Evidence, Not Opinions

I believe deeply in the power of evidence-based decision-making, especially in design where the ultimate goal is user satisfaction. This method requires our decisions to be based on solid evidence—data, research, and user feedback—rather than on subjective opinions or personal preferences. Embracing this evidence-based approach ensures our design solutions are not only effective and centered around the user but also in line with our strategic goals. It prioritizes factual evidence over subjective views, empowering us as designers to create solutions that truly resonate with reality. This approach leads to more successful outcomes, perfectly catering to user needs and expectations, and underpins my philosophy that design must be both functional and user-focused.

Performance, Not Personality

I place a high emphasis on effectiveness over personal traits, especially within the realm of design. I value team members for their capacity to deliver results and contribute meaningfully to projects, not just for their personal characteristics. This principle is foundational to the culture of excellence I aim to cultivate, where success is gauged by merit and concrete achievements rather than by someone's demeanor.

I believe this approach ensures that recognition and advancement are grounded in professional accomplishments. By doing so, I foster an environment where striving for excellence is not just encouraged—it's the norm. It's my conviction that focusing on what individuals accomplish, rather than their personality traits, is essential for building a team that excels in delivering outstanding design solutions.

Education

Masters Degree in HSP Leadership & Operational Performance

Depaul University, Kellstadt Graduate School of Business

 

Bachelor’s Degree in HSP Leadership

Depaul University Driehaus College of Business

Experience

Sr. Manager UX/UI Design: Current
Tapestry 

UX Designer: 2017-2019
Gorilla Group, Wunderman Thompson

Principal Designer – Freelance: Ongoing
SKCWS

UX Designer: 2018
Silva Brand

Experience Assistant: 2016
Steelcase, Workspring

Awards

1x Gold Webby award
1x Silver Webby award

Certifications

Design Lab UX Academy
AJ & Smart Workshop Facilitation
IDEO Design Thinking

Coach
Kate Spade
Stuart Weitzman
McDonald’s
Marines
Bungie
RX Bar
Georgia Pacific
Nestle
Haas
Jins
International Paper
America’s Best Eyewear
Vuse
Silva Brand
CCIM Institute
Cornerstone
Watsons

Brands I’ve worked with

ABBIE TORGERSON - SR. DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT

“Sean is a rare, triple-threat talent whose skills in design, strategic thinking and communication allow him to function as a one-man creative agency, consistently delivering impactful solutions. One of Sean's most valuable assets is his perceptiveness and adaptability. He readily sees new opportunities and is adept at tailoring his approach to fit the specific needs of each project. He possesses a keen eye for detail and can effectively communicate complex ideas in a clear and concise manner. This makes him invaluable in collaborative settings, where he can bridge the gap between design and strategy. Sean is a trusted thought partner who can be relied upon to see the underlying potential behind a problem or project.

JENNIFER SIEDJAK - DIRECTOR OF USER RESEARCH

“I would consider Sean more than just an amazing designer – he is a Design Thought Leader. Not only is he a master of his craft, but he has a well-supported point of view on most design topics. I still remember Sean walking me through his perspective on the Helvetica font being used on one of our websites and why he thought we weren’t using it in the right way, given the history of the font and how it is intended to be used. My mind was blown. I continue to learn a ton from Sean and am grateful to have such a knowledgeable team member!”

"A dedicated leader who is of and for the people"

"A detail-oriented-obsessed-pixel-pusher"

"An empathetic, lead-by-example visionary"

"A dedicated leader who is of and for the people" "A detail-oriented-obsessed-pixel-pusher" "An empathetic, lead-by-example visionary"

"Presents with poise and confidence, though never aggressive"

"Truly helped us change the way we think about problems!!!"

"The perfect balance between UX, UI, and business strategy"

"You can tell he's in it for the passion"

"Presents with poise and confidence, though never aggressive" "Truly helped us change the way we think about problems!!!" "The perfect balance between UX, UI, and business strategy" "You can tell he's in it for the passion"

"A servant leader"

"Always gives credit to those who deserve it"

"A true senior leader"

"Moved us back on target'

"Advocate for all things Design Thinking"

"A servant leader" "Always gives credit to those who deserve it" "A true senior leader" "Moved us back on target' "Advocate for all things Design Thinking"

JASEN DICKAN - HEAD OF DESIGN

“Sean is an excellent digital designer, sweating the details on UI and drawing upon inspiration. Thoughtful about the rationale, he often mapped UX decisions back to problems to solve + customer centricity. He was a go-to for drafting our strategy decks. He proactively brought virtual workshops into our culture and encouraged us to identify the right problems before jumping into solutions. Well-versed in design thinking, evangelizing it at every opportunity. And personally an optimistic, articulate, + easy-going person. A real privilege to have on our UX team.”

JONATHAN BLACK - DESIGN LEAD

“I've always been impressed with his deep well of knowledge on anything new happening within design and tech. If Sean is pushing for a new software or workflow, all should listen. He can sense trends far out, and set teams on a path for future success. A great designer and a pleasure to collaborate with.”