Michael is a highly experienced director with a sixteen-year track record in corporate and agency environments. Michael brings a wealth of industry knowledge to his role with a strong background in healthcare, smart devices, advertising, real estate, e-commerce, digital media, and automotive sectors.
Driven by design thinking principles, Michael is passionate about creating user-centric solutions, and champions modern UX and UI team dynamics. He understands that success in today's landscape hinges on collaborative synergy and empathy among diverse teams spanning creative, business strategists, developers, and beyond. For Michael, this empathetic ethos drives innovation through collective success. He believes that understanding the user's perspective is paramount, but equally vital is respecting and integrating the viewpoints of all teams and stakeholders.
Michael, with four patents to his name, had founded his own startup for a portable head-up display designed to reduce distractions while driving. This device would seamlessly integrate with smartphones, displaying navigation and essential communications through voice and visuals.
In his personal life, Michael finds solace and inspiration in nature, finding profound joy in adventure motorcycling, not just for the thrill of the ride, but for the opportunity it provides to immerse himself in the beauty of natural landscapes and discover the paths least taken. Michael is a devoted father and husband, cherishing quality time spent with his family.
Areas of Expertise
Strategic Design Leadership
Extensive experience leading creative teams and driving strategic vision in digital product design and development.
Digital Product Design
Proven track record of conceptualizing and delivering innovative digital products from ideation to launch.
User-Centric Design
Proficient in UX/UI design methodologies, ensuring exceptional user experiences and intuitive interfaces.
Research & Strategic Planning
Expertise in conducting user research, market analysis, and strategic planning to inform design decisions and drive business outcomes.
Project & Team Management
Strong project management skills, adept at leading cross-functional teams to execute projects on time and within budget.
Branding & Content Strategy
Skilled in developing brand identities and content strategies that resonate with target audiences and drive engagement.
Technical Proficiency
Advanced proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Photoshop, Sketch, InDesign, and Illustrator. Experience with digital content creation, user flow diagramming, wireframing, interface design, print design, and video editing. Familiarity with tools for project management (e.g., Trello, Monday, Jira), collaboration (e.g., Teams, Slack, Google Docs, Zoom), and productivity (e.g., Figma, Visual Studio Code, PowerPoint, Word, Excel).
Career Experience
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Leadership and Direction: Management of the creative team responsible for design, strategy, research, and delivery.
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Team Collaboration: Cultivating a collaborative and empathetic environment within the creative team, facilitating improved cooperation with the development team to ensure projects were aligned with technical specifications and client expectations.
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Technical Integration: Partnering with client data scientists to embed advanced algorithms into the product design to enhance functionality and user experience.
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Client Engagement: Conducted direct interactions with the cleint to gather detailed product feedback and insights, ensuring designs met user needs and complied with regulatory standards.
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Process Optimization: Streamlining prototype creation and production file delivery processes, boosting efficiency and enhancing collaboration across functional teams.
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Research and Development: Collaborated with CX on various research initiatives, including market studies and Human Factors studies, to support evidence-based design and development decisions.
2022 - Present
Mobiquity, Inc.
Waltham, MA
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Oversaw comprehensive marketing and business development activities: Managed all aspects of user acquisition, branding, marketing, and business development, significantly enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction.
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Developed strategic branding and marketing initiatives: Crafted and executed comprehensive branding and marketing strategies, leveraging market trend analysis to identify and capitalize on new business opportunities.
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Enhanced product development through direct customer engagement: Managed customer interactions to extract valuable insights, using this feedback to tailor product features and multimedia content to meet user needs.
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Directed product lifecycle management: Oversaw feature roadmaps and product testing processes to ensure continual improvement and market relevance.
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Led design and customer support Ensured the delivery of top-tier user experiences and interface design while maintaining exceptional customer service standards.
Creative Director
2020 - 2022
Display.Stream
Sunnyvale, CA
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Directed product development and branding initiatives: Led the strategic direction and execution of product development and branding for healthcare software applications, ensuring alignment with business objectives and user needs.
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Crafted digital and print media strategies: Developed and implemented comprehensive digital and print media strategies, crafting brand messaging and multimedia content to enhance market presence and user engagement.
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Enhanced user experience and interface design: Oversaw the design of user interfaces for web and mobile applications, conducted extensive user research, and translated findings into actionable insights for stakeholders, significantly improving product functionality and user satisfaction.
Sr. Product Director
2012 - 2022
KIC Ventures
Malden, MA
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Led product ideation and development: Orchestrated the development of initial concepts into pre-production prototypes, managing cross-functional teams comprised of software engineers, industrial designers, electrical engineers, optical engineers, and marketing professionals. Ensured integration of diverse technical and creative perspectives to meet project milestones and innovation targets.
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Directed comprehensive software and hardware strategies: Oversaw the entire lifecycle of software development from UX/UI design to system architecture, while simultaneously directing hardware design from concept through to manufacturing. Implemented rigorous process optimizations to enhance product quality and reduce time-to-market.
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Cultivated strategic partnerships and business development: Developed and maintained critical relationships with technology and business partners, securing essential collaborations that supported business growth and technological advancements.
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Brand ambassador and public relations leader: Actively represented the company at national and international events, enhancing brand visibility and stakeholder engagement. Designed and managed exhibit booths, showcasing the company's innovation and market presence to industry stakeholders and potential investors.
Co-founder / CXO
2014 - 2017
SenseDriver
Beverly, MA
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Creative Leadership: Led the creative team, ensuring strict adherence to visual communication standards and brand guidelines across all platforms.
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Brand Development and Management: Developed a comprehensive new brand identity and guidelines; systematically updated all print and digital collateral to reflect the new brand direction. Conducted internal training to educate company departments on these brand guidelines.
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Marketing and Public Relations Oversight: Managed all aspects of marketing communications and public relations efforts, ensuring a cohesive and effective brand message.
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Trade Show Direction: Orchestrated trade show logistics, enhancing brand visibility and engagement with key stakeholders during major industry events.
Creative Director
2012 - 2014
SpineFrontier, Inc.
Beverly, MA
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Lead Advertising Designer: Served as the primary designer for the agency’s largest clients, crafting impactful marketing campaigns across a variety of media platforms, from digital to print, ensuring brand consistency and engagement.
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Team Leadership and Mentorship: Supervised and mentored junior designers, fostering a creative and collaborative environment that encouraged innovation and skill development, leading to high-quality design outputs.
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Branding and Visual Design Expertise: Produced a wide array of branding materials, including logos, website elements, and large-scale outdoor displays. Delivered creative solutions that consistently exceeded client expectations, enhancing brand visibility and market reach.
Sr. Graphic Designer
2007 - 2012