Summary: Seasoned UX/UI design leader, product designer, and consultant with over 20 years of design experience.
Skills: Creative vision, project, and team leadership; UX/UI Strategy and implementation, brand strategy; visual design; user research; market analysis; Design Thinking; Agile; design systems; prototyping, digital marketing, print design
Software: Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Microsoft Office, Slack, Google Suite Tools, Jira, AI tools
Stable Kernel | Product Strategy and Design Director
Atlanta, GA
Led the implementation of product design using Design Thinking and Agile frameworks. Translates business and technical requirements to meaningful, strategic user experiences.
Establishes digital design brand standards informed by user and market research. Develops personas, user journeys, wireframes, mock ups and design systems for client organizations.
Accomplishments
Led client discovery workshop and requirements gathering. Collaborated in the UX/UI design of a suite of small business websites.
Headed end-to-end design of a developer community website. Created personas, user journey maps, prototype and final design.
Directed and designed the UX/UI for an IOT mobile app. Worked closely with developers and client to gather requirements, create wireframes, prototype and hi-fidelity designs in Figma.
IBM Marketing Service Center, Atlanta, GA | Senior Creative Director
Atlanta, GA
Provided creative leadership for the IBM PartnerWorld brand, a world-class multi-tiered B2B program that supports IBM channel partners across 170 countries to assist in solving business problems and boosting sales revenue. Delivered unique and compelling points of view (POVs), partner stories, strategic messaging, and leadership proof points.
Collaborated with leadership and Campaign Managers to ensure all creative touch points were part of an integrated end-to-end marketing plan.
Provided best-in-class creative, technical writing, editing, multimedia, and visual design with audience analysis.
Aligned all deliverables to IBM Design Language and IBM Brand Design System (Carbon) while leveraging IBM Design Thinking practices.
Accomplishments
Planned, designed, and executed PartnerWorld’s digital strategy for IBM’s Think Convention in 2019 and 2020. Coordinated the design of a website, video wall, email and social initiatives for IBM Partner Ecosystem related to the Think Events.
Led UX/UI design that combined the IBM Knowledge Center, IBM Redbooks and developerWorks websites into one-stop, all-inclusive IBM product documentation website.
Developed an identity system and website for Cognitive Enterprise Data Platform for IBM data scientists.
IBMiX, Atlanta, GA | Lead Creative Director
Atlanta, GA
Directed design and consulting teams in implementation of a broad range of high-end enterprise wide UX/UI initiatives. Worked collaboratively with C-level executives and design teams on multi-phased complex projects.
Recruited, interviewed, hired, and mentored multi-functional UX talent, providing creative leadership, direction, and inspiration for team ranging from 8 to 20+ UX Directors and Designers, Creative Directors, and Consultants.
Participated in key business development efforts, including responding to RFPs and leading Orals.
Facilitated IBM Design Thinking creative exploratory work with client executives and IBM UX teams, defining brand positioning, digital transformation, visualizations, wireframes, storyboards, and rapid prototypes
Gathered client business, design and technology requirements
Conducted user research including focus group, contextual observation and interviews
Accomplishments
Planned, designed, and executed Census Bureau’s American Fact Finder website.
Created two kiosks for Zoo Atlanta one for zoo visitors the other for the Orangutans using touch screen technology.
Provided specialized strategy consulting services for IBM’s nonprofit partners, including LiveStrong, U.S. Diplomacy Center, and United Way.
IBM Interactive Design, Atlanta, GA | Art Director
Kersting Design | Creative Principal Sole Proprietor
Established and managed a freelance design firm specializing in the creation of brand identity, interactive applications, marketing collateral, advertising, environmental signage and other print graphics. Hired and managed a staff of creative professionals including designers, copywriters, proof readers and photographers
Kersting Design Client Profile
Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Coca-Cola, Rialto Center for the Performing Arts, Georgia Legal Aid, Emory University
Agency Experience
Clarion Marketing, Cohn & Wolfe, BBDO/South and Murrell Design Group
Education
BA in Graphic Design, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA (Magna Cum Laude)
AA in Visual Communications, Art Institute of Atlanta, GA (Honors Graduate)
Jira Software Essentials Certification
IBM IT Specialist Certification and Board Member
IBM Design Thinking Certification
Awards
Print Regional Design Annual Category: Logo Design
IBM Service Excellence Award
President’s Volunteer Service Award (Zoo Atlanta Orangutan Exhibit)
Ultimate Sports App award, Sports Business Magazine: Wimbledon iPhone App
IBM Manager's Choice Award
Contact Me
kersting408@bellsouth.net