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

Design Director

2018 - Present  ·  Portland, OR

Progression: Senior Experience Designer → Associate Design Director

2-5 direct reports. Maintain a high bar for craft. Drive alignment on design strategy. Deliver best in class experiences for clients like Starbucks, Microsoft, and Kohler.

Connective DX

Senior Interaction Designer

2016 - 2018  ·  Portland, OR

Design lead for Toyota, PGE, and Kindercare. Owned end-to-end interaction strategy. Partnered with product, research, and engineering.

Hero Digital (Acquired by Huge)

Digital Art Director

2016  ·  Portland, OR

Delivered client work spanning solar energy and insurtech startups to Sephora interactive experiences.

Voltage Advertising & Design

Digital Art Director

2012 - 2016  ·  Denver, CO

Progression: Designer → Senior Designer

2-3 direct reports. Managed a design team on adidas, Reebok, Fjallraven ecommerce and marketing sites. Helped build design as a discipline. Won a Webby Award.

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 Format

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

PLUR1BUS / 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 Successfully printed a Helldivers armor set to wear for Halloween 2025

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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