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laurenbgarfield User

@laurenbgarfielduser

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Experienced UX and Visual design leader with a passion for creative storytelling.

South Korea

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What I'm looking for

I am looking for a role that fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation, where I can lead design initiatives and contribute to impactful projects.

I am a multidisciplinary designer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in user experience (UX) design and creative direction. My journey has taken me from leading design teams at major corporations like Microsoft and Amazon to founding my own creative studio, where I nurture young artistic talents. I thrive on conceptual problem-solving and storytelling, using my diverse skill set to create innovative solutions that resonate with audiences.

Throughout my career, I have built a reputation for pushing creative boundaries and delivering memorable customer experiences. At Microsoft, I developed design systems that aligned with global creative standards, while at Amazon, I led user journey initiatives that transformed recruiting processes. My passion for collaboration and strategic marketing execution has allowed me to build strong relationships with cross-functional teams, ensuring that design solutions are not only visually compelling but also aligned with business objectives.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Founder | Owner | Instructor

Current

Emerald City Art Studio

Jan 2023 - Present (2 years 6 months)

Founded Emerald City Art Studio to provide creative enrichment for children. I oversee all aspects of business operations, develop curriculum, and foster community relationships to promote arts education.

Business Development Curriculum Development Community Outreach Strategic Planning Leadership Operations Management Relationship Building Marketing Strategy Program Development

Current

Creative Director | Production Lead

Current

Microsoft

Oct 2023 - Present (1 year 9 months)

As Creative Director at Microsoft, I create design solutions that enhance the brand's success while adhering to global creative standards. I lead strategic concepting for advertising and media campaigns, develop compelling creative concepts, and manage team resources to align with business priorities.

Creative Direction Brand Strategy User Experience Design Team Leadership Prototyping Visual Design Presentation Skills Collaboration Trend Analysis

Sr. UX Designer | Creative Director

Amazon

Feb 2021 - Feb 2022 (1 year)

Led UX design and creative direction for Amazon's PathFinder and Principal Engineer Recruiting teams, focusing on user journey and brand storytelling. Developed wireframes, prototypes, and conducted research to enhance the recruiting experience.

User Experience Design Storytelling Prototyping Research Cross Functional Collaboration Visual Marketing User Journey Mapping Design Strategy Team Leadership Content Creation

Sr. UX / Visual Designer / Art Director

Amazon

Jan 2016 - Jan 2018 (2 years)

Led UI/UX redesign and branding for Amazon FreeTime Unlimited. Developed user personas, journey maps, and managed a team to enhance user experience across multiple platforms.

Team Management Journey Maps Prototyping Marketing Campaigns User Testing Creative Direction UI UX Design Visual Design Branding User Research

UX Design Manager | Creative Director

Amazon

Jan 2018 - Feb 2021 (3 years 1 month)

Managed UX design for Amazon Alexa Voice Service, leading branding and user-centric product development. Collaborated with cross-market teams to implement user-centered design processes and directed a global design team.

User Centered Design Team Management Branding Prototyping User Research Cross Functional Collaboration Design Process Visual Design Project Management

UX / Visual / Brand Designer

Amazon

Jan 2015 - Aug 2015 (7 months)

Designed user interfaces and branding for the Amazon Prime Now app, focusing on improving user flows and creating marketing assets. Established processes to enhance team efficiency and creative direction.

User Interface Design Branding Marketing Strategy Prototyping User Experience Graphic Design Creative Direction Process Improvement

Visual Designer

Amazon

Jan 2013 - Jan 2015 (2 years)

Led visual design for Amazon Instant Video, creating marketing initiatives and collaborating with studios to enhance brand identity. Developed style guides and improved user experience across platforms.

Visual Design Brand Identity Style Guide User Experience Collaboration Graphic Design Customer Engagement Data Analysis Creative Direction

Graphic & Concept Designer

Polo Ralph Lauren

Aug 2004 - May 2009 (4 years 9 months)

Led the graphic design department for the childrenswear division, managing a team and creating seasonal product lines. Recognized as Designer of the Year for innovative contributions to the brand.

Graphic Design Team Management Product Development Strategic Planning Branding Presentation Skills Creative Direction Marketing Strategy Leadership

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Parsons School of Design

Masters, Fashion Design

Completed a Master's degree in Fashion Design, focusing on advanced design concepts and techniques in the fashion industry.

University of Michigan

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design & Photography

1998 - 2002

Grade: Summa Cum Laude

Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Photography, emphasizing creativity and technical skills in visual communication.