Design-Led Strategy & Design Thinking Certificate
Coursera
Hi, I'm Sara Mitchell ✌️
Passionate and seasoned hybrid product design leader and product manager focusing on complex applications [some not so complex] and products across devices and browsers -- comfortable leading and mentoring junior designers, user research, roadmaps, tech requirements and working hands-on with engineering.
I have a heavy early-stage startup background and lover of shipping often. I enjoy the zero-1 design journey the most.
Certificates
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Certified Usability Analyst
Human Factors International -
Photoshop: Teaching Certificate
Adobe
Experience
Product Design Leader & Product Management Consultant
Finback Studio
September 2020 - Present (remote)
Finback is a creative innovation consultancy studio that works directly with startups to shape or better their products while working on in-house innovative digital products to bring to market. I lead the product design efforts to help mold the look, feel and experiences of our in-house and client's products. Clients include: OnlyFans, Koji, TQ Tezos, Kin Insurance, Exploding Kittens, +more
- User research, feedback and user personas
- Design strategy for end-to-end experiences and existing products
- Product journeys and flows
- Low fidelity sketches and wires
- Design systems management
- High fidelity mockups and prototypes
- Testing and iteration
- Defining interactions and animations for UI
- Product and design management
- Work directly with engineering to ensure seamless development
- QA all products
Among countless resume's and portfolios, Sara's was full of personality, energy and promise. I met with her and in the first 30 seconds, it was a no brainer.
- Lucas S.Staff Product Designer & Product Manager
Five Four Ventures
August 2018 - September 2020 (COVID layoffs) | NY, New York (remote)
FFV is a venture capital studio that builds businesses and also makes early stage investments across technology, entertainment and lifestyle. I lead design and heavily assisted in product management to bring our iOS, SaaS, e-commerce and web products to life from idea to launch. I worked directly with partners helping generate new business ideas and turning those ideas into a tangible digital or physical product by:
- Product journeys and flows
- Design strategy for the end-to-end experience of all FFV products
- Managed design interns and contract designers
- Low fidelity sketches and wires
- High fidelity mockups and prototypes
- Defined interactions and animations for UI
- Design systems management
- Tested and iterated on mockups and prototypes by reading user data and conducting mini user research sessions
- Product and design management
- Work directly with engineering and product to ensure seamless development
- QA all products
- Deploy copy and CSS changes
- Packaging design and mockup
- Shopify design and style changes
Sara is more than a pleasure to work with. She is dedicated, talented and extremely creative. I learned a lot from her, and our work environment was fun yet productive.
- Jenn T.Director of Product Design
Waggle Ventures, Inc
March 2018 - February 2019 | SF, California (remote)
Waggle focused on taking the pain out of finding all things pet-friendly around your neighborhood and when traveling that include: dog parks, bars, restaurants, shelters, vets, events and other services. Complete activities in the app like checking in or reviewing locations to reach Ambassador status. Once you’re a Waggle Ambassador, you unlock exclusive local deals for you and your furry family. I was an advisor to Waggle from February 2019 - March 2020. The team was stripped down due to lack of funding.
- Managed every aspect of the product design process from sketches to product flow to high fidelity mockups to ensure all devices have the same experience, including fully designing the product end-to-end
- Design strategy for the end-to-end experience
- Managed product department and contract employees
- Created and managed the brand's design system
- Closely collaborated and provided product direction for engineers on a daily basis
- Prototyped and defined styles, interactions and layout using InVision and Zeplin to seamlessly bridge the gap between engineering and design
- Acted as an interim Head of Product to create in-depth requirements, user flows and iterations
- Design QA on staging and production environments
- Translated analytic and research data into UX enhancements.
We immediately hired Sara to work as a consultant on a few of our projects and the results have been fantastic.
- Asa G.Product Design Lead
The Baby Box Co.
April 2017 - March 2018 | LA, California
Reimagined Baby Box University's product through video streaming experiences, beautiful interactions and a simplified interface to educate new and current parents.
- Managed every aspect of the product design process
- Created and managed the brand's digital design system
- Closely collaborated with engineers and product managers
- Product design for web app, focusing on mobile-first design
- Prototyped and define styles, interactions and layout using InVision and Zeplin to seamlessly bridge the gap between engineering and design
- Design QA on staging and production environments
- Tested product with Full Story for UX enhancements after each release
Sara is a talented designer with great knowledge of the tools of her trade.
- Colby P.Senior Product Designer
BlackLine
September 2016 - April 2017 | Woodland Hills, California
Focused on high level user experiences, interfaces and interactions across several BlackLine products from concept to development, existing and brand new.
- Product design for web app, focusing on large desktop design
- Highly detailed interactive Prototypes in InVision
- Closely collaborate with product managers and other designers, mentoring junior designers
- Define styleguides and user interactions through pixel-perfect comps
Even during tight deadlines, she maintained her high spirits, making it easy to get through the crunch time. She will go the extra mile every time for her colleagues and friends.
- Jenn T.Product Design Lead
Mint Teal, Inc
May 2012 - April 2017 | LA, California
High level product design lead consultant for some of the biggest brands, coolest products, software and hottest startups.
- Managed every aspect of the product design process across web and mobile apps
- Tested product with software like Full Story and HotJar for UX enhancements
- Design system process and setup
- Collaborated with clients, engineers, designers, product managers and executives
- Responsive front-end development and design
- Visual content design (infographics)
- Prototype with InVision for client feedback and design adjustments
Having Sara on our team is like hiring two to three very talented people on your team. - Robb T.
Early Career
Senior Visual UX/UI Designer
Eventup
May 2012 - February 2013 | LA, California
Visual UX/UI Designer
Creative Solutions Group
December 2010 - May 2012
Web UX Specialist
PWS - The Laundry Company
March 2010 - December 2010 | LA, California
Media Coordinator
1928 Jewelry Co.
February 2009 - March 2010 | LA, California
Marketing, Web & Graphic Designer
Scotch Run Farm
January 2005 - January 2009 | Hollidaysburg, PA