Meet Chris

For over 14 years, Chris has built a career as a designer, manager, and creative thinker. Confidently problem-solving his way through creative agencies of all shapes and sizes. He is currently an Experience Design Director at EY Design Studio+, a full-service creative agency within EY, where he leads design teams to help big brands (and the occasional scrappy startup) rethink and reinvent their digital products.

Over the years, Chris has grown into a versatile leader who knows how to navigate the entire design process—from messy whiteboard sketches to implementation. He now focuses on guiding the design process within cross-functional teams. He finds joy in creating digital experiences that people actually love to use. Whether it’s tools for healthcare, finance, insurance, media, hospitality, tech, ecommerce, automotive, or major consumer brands—B2B or B2C—he brings smart, thoughtful solutions to complex challenges in fast-moving environments.

In his free time, he enjoys traveling with this wife, going to the river with his 2 kids, planning for next week's D&D session and being at the beach as much as possible.

Background

EXPERIENCE DESIGN DIRECTOR

At EY, I started out as a Sr. Designer and worked my way towards becoming a Design Director that teams can rely on. I've been able to cultivate my skillset from an being expert design practitioner to someone who can engage with all aspects of the design process. These days, I spend my time partnering with global brands and leading design teams to make digital products used in the healthcare, finance, tech, industrial, automotive, hospitality, entertainment, and consumer brand spaces.

SR. INTERACTION DESIGNER

As a member of the product strategy team, I partnered with a UX architect to design and test products in the health and financial industries for fortune 500 companies. My main responsibilities were leading the design effort by designing interaction patterns, motion prototypes, developing the design system, and working with & mentoring junior designers.

DIGITAL ART DIRECTOR

While at Hero, I was apart of a variety of product design efforts ranging from launching Solar energy start ups to Sephora make-up web apps.

DIGITAL ART DIRECTOR

At Voltage I was responsible for mentoring/managing a team of designers focused on interaction design for ecommerce and digital marketing sites. I worked closely with lifestyle brands like adidas & Reebok, launching digital products for in-store, real-time purchasing & inventory tracking, e-mail marketing, and event specific apps for Crossfit or athlete specifc collaboration pages. While at Voltage, I helped spearhead a campaign that helped us win a Webby in the "Weird" category.

What I do

I'm generating ideas left and right, engaging in divergent thinking and making space for every idea to be heard. You never know where it will lead.

I'm thinking through the problem from every angle and laying the groundwork for an informed solution built on a strong foundation.

I'm making decisions, giving feedback, and helping people see things from different persepctives. When a call needs to be made, I'm there to make it and help the team to get where they need to be going.

I can make the dang thing too. Proficient in today's prominent design tools and methodologies, I know how to roll up my sleeves and polish some pixels into digital diamonds.

I'm there when you need me. I'm supporting the team when things are tough and providing cover for when they just need to be heads down. I'm making connections with clients, collegues, and putting the human element at the center of how I show up. 

My process

Every creative gets asked about their process. Mine? It depends. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach—because every project is different. The core principles might stay the same, but the goals shift, the challenges evolve, and the process should, too.

The fun stuff

Everything ever made by Jimmy Eat World / King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard / Search Engine / The Dream

Helldivers 2 / Wingspan / Death Stranding 2 / Lords of Waterdeep / Alan Wake 2 / Running a weekly D&D game for Rime of the Frostmaiden 

Dark / Friendship / Detroiters / It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia / Common Side Effects / Scavengers Reign / Mad Max Fury Road

I love to cook (current favorite cookbook is Six Seasons) but my specialty is anything BBQ related. I recently rebuilt my entire front porch myself 💪 and I enjoy tinkering with my 3D printers.

Currently 3D printing a Helldivers armor set to wear for Halloween

Let's talk

My mom taught me not to talk to strangers but if you've made it this far, we're already friends. Please, reach out so I can tell you all about the time I was on the pirate ship from the Goonies (and also about work and stuff).

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