Derek Bressler

UX designer, Graphic designer

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Bressler Creative

Creative service provider

2014-Current

Delivering a wide range of creative services for my clients. Creative consultation, graphic design, UX design, marketing, web design, illustration, and more. Guiding projects and crafting unique outcomes from concept to completion. Skilled in applying empathy and collaboration to ensure delightful results aligned with client goals.

Essential skills: Client relationship management, creative consultation, visual design, web design.

IBM Cloud

UX Design Lead

2019–2024

Led design strategy for the IBM Cloud Catalog and IBM Cloud Cost Estimator. Balanced team workloads and defining task prioritization across multiple projects simultaneously. Identified and partnered with key stakeholders (product managers, sales representatives, software engineers, product designers, user researchers, and executives) to create innovative solutions that met business and customer needs. Led and contributed to significant improvements to the user experience for all IBM Cloud clients. Notably, reduced average customer deployment time for multi-product "Deployable Architecture" solutions by 96%, from 3 months to 3 days.

Essential skills: Project management, user research, collaboration.

IBM Cloud

Software Product Designer (UX, UI, Visual)

2015–2019

Worked on several product teams and internal projects. Rapidly established technical domain knowledge while moving between PaaS and IaaS product teams. Created design solutions based on user and business needs. Executed all deliverables in a timely manner within a collaborative, agile environment. Maintained IBM Carbon Design System compliance to ensure consistency. Leveraged IBM enterprise design thinking methods to simplify complex cloud technologies. Followed WCAG guidelines to ensure designs were intuitive and accessible for all users. Partnered with research to test wireframes, prototypes, and experiences. Worked closely with development teams throughout the design process to ensure technical viability. Contributed design assets that solved key issues for more than 200 IBM Cloud products.

Essential skills: IBM enterprise design thinking, user experience design, prototyping, accessibility, visual design, rapid iteration.

IBM Maelstrom

Design intern

2015

Learned and implemented IBM Design Thinking methods. Assisted with user interviews, product testing, and design thinking exercises. Created wireframes, prototypes, product mock-ups and presentations. Crafted compelling narratives based on user journeys. Presented research findings and design concepts to influence product and executive leadership teams. Utilized presentations to build empathy for user experiences. Discovered and presented user-centric opportunities for strategic offerings. Practiced radical, inter-organizational, cross-functional collaboration. Gained valuable insight into the business impact of UX design. Proudly contributed work that positively influenced cutting-edge products.

Essential skills: Concept development, presentation, design sprints, competitive analysis.

Catapult Marketing

Design intern

2014

Designed a wide variety of print materials and digital assets to support client marketing efforts. Collaborated with clients and account managers to ensure deliverables met expectations and deadlines. Coordinated with the print production team to prepare final files that met specifications. Contributed to internal rebranding initiatives. Proposed website architecture changes to internal leadership for improved hierarchy and clarity. Assisted with implementation of internal brand and website updates.

Essential skills: Graphic design, print design, design operations, information architecture mapping.

Franke+Fiorella

Design intern

2014

Collaborated with designers and project managers to bring client visions to life. Created impactful designs in accordance with client brand guidelines. Updated and implemented client brand assets. Responded quickly to internal and client feedback. Created materials to connect clients with target audiences. Crafted new brand elements for established brands. Applied client brand elements to omni-channel marketing materials.

Essential skills: Graphic design, concept development, identity design, brand systems.

College Pro Painters

Franchise Owner

2012

Owned and operated a franchise of College Pro Painters. Delivered quality exterior residential painting services for homeowners in the greater Minneapolis area. Oversaw all aspects of the business. Hired, trained, and managed painting crews. Created and implemented marketing campaigns. Managed new customer acquisition and client relationships. Ensured operational efficiency and profitability. Achieved the highest sales closing rate in the upper mid-west division.

Essential skills: Client relationship management, team building, negotiation, conflict resolution, sales.

Skills

Experience design (UX)

Interface design (UI)

Visual design

Illustration

Brand + Identity design

Prototyping

Trend analysis

Design systems

Competitive analysis

Design Ops

Human centered design (HCD)

IBM Enterprise Design Thinking

Project planning

Responsive design

Journey mapping

Information architecture

Agile development

Design sprints

HTML + CSS

Accessibility (A11Y)

Wireframing

tools

Figma

Sketch

Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe XD

Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

Miro (InVision)

Mural

Sketch

Keynote + Powerpoint

Google forms

Amplitude

Visual studio code

Github

Monday

Aha!

Trello

Slack

Box

Post-it notes

Pencil & paper

Awards & certifications

IBM watsonx AI Essentials badge, 2024

IBM Cloud Technical Advocate certification, 2024

GOOD Design Award, 2019

Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner certification, 2017

IBM Cloud Advocate badge, 2017

AIGA Design Show award, 2014

Education

Bachelor of Arts,
Graphic design emphasis.
Concordia University,
2014

BFA Coursework,
Design emphasis.
College of Visual Arts,
2010–2013

References

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Contact info available upon request.