GREGORY RUTLEDGE
User Experience Designer
Fort Worth, TX
817-821-9131
gregorycrutledge@gmail.com
QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
I have a talent for designing outstanding user experiences for top companies like Container Store, PayPal, Marriott, and Adobe as a creative problem-solver and Senior UX Designer.
I bring my technical and strategic experience to the table when designing responsive interfaces for websites and mobile apps with a focus on optimizing functionality and generating memorable user journeys.
I am skilled in using design programs like Adobe XD, Sketch, and Figma, and I have a track record of inspiring cross-functional teams to success and completing projects successfully.
My passion is being up to date on business trends and best practices, and I'm always curious to learn more.
Areas of Expertise include…
UX/UI / Prototyping / Wireframing
Information Architecture
Heuristic Evaluation / Usability Intention
User Research / Persona Creation
Storyboarding / Task Flow Design
Team Leadership & Collaboration
Stakeholder Engagement
User-Centric Design Approach
Graphic Design / Web Design
User Experience Mapping
Workshop Leadership
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ADOBE X AQUENT STUDIOS
October 2021 to January 2023
Senior UX Designer
Performed monitoring, installation, and testing for telecommunications and associated electronic equipment in compliance with technical specifications and operational procedures.
Key Achievements:
Reduced backlog by creating a Kanban board; increased productivity 75% by completing month-old, backlogged projects in a few short business days.
Cut costs 15% by monitoring cable usage and waste while creating new cables.
Saved 25% of original production time by streamlining cable-making process.
Improved overall team performance by replacing previously divided workplace culture with an ethic of collaboration.
MARRIOTT BONVOY
July 2021 to September 2021
Senior UX Designer
Enhanced ecommerce experience shopping by identifying key issues in the current platform and communications. Brainstormed, conceptualized, and implemented novel customer communications solutions for upcoming system overhauls.
Key Achievements:
Increased team productivity 20% by educating team about shortcuts and templates.
Elevated team performance by fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Reduced task completion time by 50% and trained 10 colleagues to do the same.
PAYPAL
March 2021 to June 2021
UX Designer
Generated new sales from client accounts by establishing trusting relationships and strategic selling strategies. Collaborated closely with internal departments to increase service functionality and promote sales. Streamlined Account Manager Team operations by promoting collaboration and group cohesiveness.
Key Achievements:
Optimized account performance of 1.2K properties in three days; identified new sales opportunities, resulting in an overall revenue increase of 25%.
Increased existing account spend 30% by encouraging customers to link more suppliers.
Grew annual profit margin 20% by recovering 80% of previously lapsed accounts.
CONTAINER STORE
March 2020 to January 2021
UX Designer
Accelerated revenue growth for a corporate food management service by providing positive and memorable client experiences. Interacted directly with customers over the phone, in-person, and via email; anticipated customer needs to tailor services and close mutually favorable agreements.
Key Achievements:
Improved overall close rate by serving as knowledgeable and trustworthy face of the company; helped executive leadership close six new major accounts in a six-month period.
Boosted sales and customer satisfaction metrics 50% by consistently delivering high-quality, personalized service for high-value accounts.
Played a key role in closing three major Starbucks account deals for other clients, leading to $3.8M in new company revenue.
VARIOUS COMPANIES
April 2018 to March 2020
UX Designer & Architect
Leverage technical expertise to craft intuitive and functional interfaces for websites and apps. Place strong emphasis on optimizing function and delivering positive and memorable user journeys.
Key Projects & Engagements:
Project UX – Podcast Host / UX Researcher (2018 to Present): Took charge of website re-vamp, information architecture, and client engagement, placing a strong emphasis on streamlined UX/UI design. Prioritized tasks and delegated assignments across the team in order to meet evolving business needs and KPIs. Engaged key stakeholders in translating business needs to tactical UX/UI solutions and innovations.
Motivated team to increase productivity output 60% and refocus efforts towards long-term business monetization.
Delivered 20% engagement increase by recruiting expert designers for podcast interviews.
QuickSit – Lead UX Designer (2019): Redesigned mobile app service connecting college babysitters with parents. Performed heuristic evaluation of app. Presented developments directly to company CEO.
Created working prototype of new app with whiteboard, saving company thousands of dollars in development costs while delivering a cutting-edge design.
Conducted research with real-life users in order to inform app UX/UI requirements.
For Love & Art – UX Designer (November 2019): Used Sketch, InVision, Jira, Confluence, and Google docs to execute unique “Art Angels” museum project, which provides a digital museum experience to individuals with limited mobility.
Dallas Give Camp – UX Designer (2019): Served as Lead UX Designer for a team of seven while designing a new website (evictionprotectors.org) from scratch on behalf of a charity.
Re-designed organization’s logo developed entire site wireframe from ground-up within a three-hour period.
Vanished – UX Designer (2018): Designed streamlined, user-friendly mobile application intended to assist in the reporting of missing persons.
Buddy List – UX Designer (2018): Developed novel mobile household management tool to help roommates and families plan, track, and coordinate chores and responsibilities
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Associate of Applied Arts | Tarrant County College, North Richland Hills, TX (2015)
Certifications:
UX Certificate — UXD Academy (2018)
Kan Ban Fundamentals Practitioner Certification (2019)
PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE
AQUENT STUDIOS March 2020 to January 2023
UX Designer
I have a track record of producing outstanding user experiences for prestigious organizations like Container Store, PayPal, Marriott, and Adobe. I am an experienced and adaptable contract UX designer. I've been able to develop user-centered designs that achieve corporate objectives and go above and beyond user expectations because of my ability to collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, comprehend the demands of the clients, and iterate designs based on user research and testing. Due to my previous experience working with various businesses and industries, I can readily adjust to various contexts and contribute a variety of perspectives to design projects.
Key Projects & Engagements:
Adobe – Senior UX Designer (2021 to 2023): Assisted in the design and development of Adobe.com, one of the busiest corporate websites in the world. Closely collaborated with Experience Design Lead, Copy and Art Creative Directors, Art Directors, and Studio Managers to develop and design amazing user experiences.
Goals, priorities, and deliverables for the user experience were established, and they were in line with product milestones.
Managed several projects from start to finish, developing iterative designs that addressed product goals and adapted to usability testing and customer input.
User flows, wireframes, sketches, storyboards, and prototypes were used to communicate design concepts.
Collaborated closely with development teams through the entire implementation process.
Carefully monitored the design and development of a CaaS solution that increased customer retention by 30% resulting in a $10 million increase in revenue.
Developed cutting-edge digital interface design solutions for desktop applications, mobile and handheld devices, and the web.
User research and usability testing were carried out to assist in the design process.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and put into action UX strategies that were in line with corporate objectives to create and maintain consistency for our internal web Design System.
Spearheaded the implementation of a complete redesign of the internal design system working as a liaison between the Studio and Development team.
Marriott International – Senior UX Designer (2021 to Present): Entrusted with refreshing the Loyalty, Rewards and Account experience. I made it a point to first the Marriott digital ecosystem and get acclimated with how they operate and what tools and processes were already in place. This role called for strong proactive leadership, and the ability to ask good questions as to why work requests are made.
Brought a positive energy and outlook that shifted the culture to a more inviting and inclusive environment.
Presented dense amounts of information clearly and simply for stakeholders to understand.
Demonstrated expertise in strategy, prototyping, visual design and research seeing projects through to their end from concept to completion ensuring they go to market with the best possible product.
Provided guidance for product managers and developers to better implement the team’s production assets.
Adhered to company standards and brand guidelines creating actionable solutions to an evolving design system.
Conducted enterprise authentication site audit and compiled a comprehensive site map of the entire website and partner sites’ sign in experience in one sprint.
Suggested tools and processes that the team could shift their culture within the design team in order to better adapt to the new remote ecosystem post COVID era.
Provided multiple last minute design changes for two separate teams in record time mid sprint ensuring team and product success.
PayPal – UX Designer (2021 to Present): Tasked with redesigning the Help Center to be more workflow oriented with new automated functionality.
I understand that re-imagining of the service experience will lead to smoother interactions, higher containment, and more satisfied customers. This role called for solid visual design skill, especially when it comes to understanding how content can modularize across a broad spectrum from full screen experiences to small component summaries in a global organization.
Presented dense amounts of information clearly and easily for the user to parse and understand. I partnered closely with content strategy and design teams. Keeping accessibility first, I not only took designs from large desktop monitor size width to a smaller mobile width but understood that the translation to that width is not just in wrapping the content but also in the distillation of the information presented to the user. These duties were performed while maintaining efficiency, professional presentation and stakeholder/team support in a remote environment. Collaborate with the Development team during the entire UX Design process to ensure maximum efficiency in handoff and ensure buy-in.
Conduct stakeholder design presentations with functioning prototypes placing a strong emphasis on clean, well-structured information architecture.
Prioritized tasks and delegated assignments across the team in order to meet evolving business needs and KPIs.
Engaged key stakeholders in translating business needs to tactical UX/UI solutions and innovations.
Started designs with a mobile first mentality saving the company 4% in annual labor cost and potentially millions of dollars in litigation risk.
Suggested tools and processes that the team could implement immediately to increase clarity, collaboration and productivity.
The Container Store – UX Designer/ Researcher (2020= to Present): Maintain efficiency, professional presentation and stakeholder/team support in a remote environment. Maximize usability utilizing the User Testing platform to conduct user research.
Responsible for investigating and deepening the understanding of the functionality and information architecture of the company website. Create well informed and vetted requirements documentation based on research and team discussions in order to produce high quality wireframes.
Collaborate with the Development team during the entire UX Design process to ensure maximum efficiency in handoff and ensure buy-in.
Conduct stakeholder design presentations with functioning prototypes placing a strong emphasis on clean, well-structured information architecture.
Prioritized tasks and delegated assignments across the team in order to meet evolving business needs and KPIs. Engaged key stakeholders in translating business needs to tactical UX/UI solutions and innovations.
Began an internal Design System to increase maintainability, consistency and productivity output 35% and refocus efforts towards long-term business monetization.
Delivered 11.5% conversion resulting in a 25% sales increase by redesigning several landing pages, forms and page elements.
VARIOUS COMPANIES April 2018 to March 2020
Project UX – Podcast Host / UX Researcher (2019 to Present): Took charge of website revamp, information architecture, and client engagement, placing a strong emphasis on streamlined UX/UI design. Prioritized tasks and delegated assignments across the team in order to meet evolving business needs and KPIs. Engaged key stakeholders in translating business needs to tactical UX/UI solutions and innovations.
Motivated team to increase productivity output 60% and refocus efforts towards long-term business monetization.
Delivered 20% engagement increase by recruiting expert designers for podcast interviews.
Quick Sit – UX Designer (2019): Redesigned mobile app service connecting college babysitters with parents. Performed heuristic evaluation of app. Presented developments directly to the company CEO.
Created working prototype of new app with whiteboard, saving company thousands of dollars in development costs while delivering a cutting-edge design.
Conducted research with real-life users in order to inform app UX/UI requirements.
For Love & Art – UX Designer (November 2019): Used Sketch, In Vision, Jira, Confluence, and Google docs to execute unique “Art Angels” museum project, which provides a digital museum experience to individuals with limited mobility.
Dallas Give Camp – UX Designer (2019): Served as Lead UX Designer for a team of seven while designing a new website (evictionprotectors.org) from scratch on behalf of a charity.
Re-designed organization’s logo developed the entire site wireframe from ground-up within a three-hour period.
Completed the entire site launch within 18 hours.
Vanished – UX Architect (2018): Designed streamlined, user-friendly mobile application intended to assist in the reporting of missing persons.
Buddy List – UX Architect (2018): Developed novel mobile household management tool to help roommates and families plan, track, and coordinate chore responsibilities.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Associate of Applied Arts | Tarrant County College, North Richland Hills, TX (2015)
Bachelor of Divinity | The Kings University, Southlake TX (2017)
Certifications:
UX Design Certificate — UXD Academy (2018)
Kanban Fundamentals Practitioner Certification (2019)
Professional Development:
Sergeant at arms – Westlake Toastmasters (2018-2019)
Sergeant at arms – Las Colinas Professionals Toastmasters (2019-2021)
President – Las Colinas Professionals Toastmasters (2021-2022 and 2022-2023)
Area 74 Director –District 25 Toastmasters (2021-2022 Distinguished Area Award)
Public Relations Team – District 25 Toastmasters International – Web and Content Designer
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES
Platforms: Mac OS X, Windows, Linux
Tools: Webflow, Sketch, Figma, XD, InVision, Adobe, HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript, Slack, Mural, bubbl.us, Jira, Trello, Pivotal, Canva, Miro, Zeplin, Basalmiq, Axure, Framer, Marvel
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES
Platforms:
Mac OS X, Windows
Tools:
Sketch
Figma/FigJam
InVision
Adobe
Zeplin
Miro
HTML/CSS
Javascript
Slack
Mural
bubbl.us
Jira
Trello
Canva
Professional Skills: