Craig Prehn

Highly analytical, empathetic, and creative designer with proven ability to lead design teams, manage and align stakeholders, partner with and leverage research, identify hypothesis-led concepts and solutions, and deliver products and experiences that add value. Identifies opportunities, challenges, and solutions proactively.

EXPERIENCE

Northern Trust Bank — Staff Product Designer Remote from Chicago, IL

Increase security, compliance, and user trust by designing and socializing enterprise-wide universal MFA-at-login flow while normalizing and evangelizing design system standards.

Leading collaborative partnerships with dozens of product owners—with competing priorities—to implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) login flow across bank’s institutional and individual customer applications
Designed and oversaw the development of a set of API-driven components that allow customers to manage their individual user settings and preferences from inside the bank’s various tools and applications
Droveorganizationalchangeacrossdozensoffederateddivisionsthroughcleararticulationofdesignvision,empatheticstakeholder engagement and management, rapid prototyping, and iterative design process focused on problem-solving and user needs
Leadtherefinementandexpansionofafledglingdesignsystemfromcolorstocomponentandvisualstandards,inpartnershipwith product management, content strategy, and UX research teams

Product Design Consultancy — Design Systems and Experiences, Principal Remote from Austin, TX

Expanded access to credit for individuals with the redesign of Prosper’s Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) application. Streamlining the application flow by offering clear and concise information within the overall loan procurement process. Illustrating easily digestible educa- tional information and transparent cost-benefit factors involved in taking out a line of credit on your home.

Conducted user interviews with people who had recently taken out a HELOC to ask questions like; what was your loan for?how many loans they shopped for, what questions did they have during the process, and who did they ask those questions to?
Built prototype for testing-allowing me to iterate on design and to refine language while digesting feedback
Component design for the conversion of schwab.com and schwabcharitable.org from traditional HTML sites to CMS-driven platforms for Charles Schwab
Flushed out future/blue-skydesign direction options by utilizing existing brand elements for Sansung Next

Senior Design Lead, Design Systems — Publicis Sapient Austin, TX

Increased consumer trust and operational efficiency across Citibank’s suite of tools and applications with a design system

Devised, created, and implemented Citibank’s Fusion Design System, a fully responsive CMS-driven white label system that centers on accessibility and inclusion, to support Citi’s network of global financial services clients
Ran usability testing, cognitive interviews, and A/Btests with a diverse user pool, such as people who regularly use screen readers, to ensure not only WCAG 2.0 compliance but also an equitable and enjoyable experience for all
Defined and socialized maintenance and governance roles and procedures
Ensured all component builds aligned with design specs through close partnering with Lead Developer and offshore team
Grew Citibank’s card enrollment and usage for parents and their driving teenagers by researching, designing, and prototyping Sunoco gas app that streamlined the credit application process and made card-free mobile payments easy.
Understood consumer comfort with cardless payments via market and field research and refining of personas
Road-tested and evolved the CitiBank design system, including requirements gathering and component design
Pioneered consent flow that enabled the quick transfer of customer PII from device to credit card application

Design Lead, Design Systems — Razorfish San Francisco, CA

Established HP Enterprise (HPE) as a simpler, more nimble organization with greater customer focus and R&D opportunities than former parent HP Inc. by launching the new HPE.com, for which I led design and development. In only 10 months, we went from concept to launching in 44 countries and 9 languages. I helped achieved this milestone by managing design resources, establish- ing sprint schedules with the product management team, implementing design systems, creating content management workflows with offshore vendors, and handling client feedback. Another key accomplishment was securing a $50 million contract as the digital agency of record for Honda North America to enhance its competitiveness in the evolving online landscape, for which I contributed to visual design during the 8-month review process and during our in-person presentation to the Americas CEO.

Senior Designer — Avenue A / Razorfish San Francisco, CA

Designed Facebook’s first open API-driven app, a photo-sharing “widget” tailored for Microsoft Vista OS. This widget allowed users to conveniently perform actions such as bulk uploading, tagging, liking, commenting, and posting photos. My work on Red Bull’s Scratch- er microsite earned recognition in the Communications Arts Annual. I also played a significant role in establishing the U.S. branding for Breville kitchen appliances and the development of brevilleusa.com. This effort was recognized with The One Show Interactive Merit Award for Excellence in New Media Advertising, an Art Directors Club Distinctive Merit Award, recognition as a Webby Awards Official Honoree, a District ADDY Awards Silver, and being a finalist in the Ad:Tech Awards - Peoples Choice Award Best Business-to- Consumer Marketing Website, 2008 ADDY Gold Website Consumer Flash.

UX/UI Designer — sbi Razorfish San Francisco, CA

Celebrated human achievement by crafting microsites for Visa’s sponsored athletes while adapting to a new city and design culture. I played a pivotal role in enhancing Visa’s omnichannel brand through product and environmental design for Visa Signature Card, Visa Olymics, and Visa.com. I also streamlined and disseminated user-friendly guidelines for Sun Microsystems’ visual brand identity, refining and promoting their brand image.

Designer — sbi Inc Chicago, IL

I streamlined processes and improved customer satisfaction on discovercard.com while advocating for a human-centered design approach across Discover’s organization. As a member of the design team designated as the digital agency of record (AOR) for Discover Card, I actively engaged with clients, crafting presentation decks to convey our vision. My responsibilities also included overseeing and enhancing designs for on-card applications, online payments, and account management on discovercard.com. In addition to my financial sector work, I contributed to the creation of games and content for Kraft’s Postopia.com, an interactive digital platform featuring beloved mascots like Tony the Tiger and the Flintstones.

Designer — VSA Partners Chicago, IL

Under the mentorship of founder Robert Vogel, I gained invaluable insights into the art and business of design, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and a well-defined process as the bedrock of an organization. I had the privilege of designing, art directing, and crafting for prominent global brands, such as Harley-Davidson, IBM, Weber, Cingular Wireless, and Steelcase.

Photography Assistant — Chicago History Museum Chicago, IL

Formerly known as the Chicago Historical Society. Helped advance the nonprofit’s educational and preservation mission through photography and conservation. Documenting objects and printing photographs from the archive for academic researchers and journalists, such as Lee’s saddle surrended to Grant at end of Civil War. Made new photographs for public exhibitions, such as vintage Versace ball gowns, Lincoln Park Zoo, and nineteenth century garbage uncovered during construction along Lake Shore Drive.

EDUCATION
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Bachelor of Fine Arts

AWARDS

Communication Arts
Art Directors Club
Webby Awards
The WebAward
The Awwwards
IAC and more

SKILLS

CONTACT