Hello there.
I design experiences that tackle genuine challenges, guided by attentive listening and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Currently looking for new opportunities in UX Design Leadership or Individual Contributor roles.
Contact
Location
Currently based out of San Francisco, CA 🌉
Open to relocate
Resumé
From Curiosity to Design
My Journey as a UX Design Leader and a Product Designer
As a seasoned UX Design professional with over 15 years of experience, I've journeyed from a curious child fascinated by how things work to a Senior Director of User Experience. This article chronicles my career path, highlighting key experiences and achievements that have shaped my expertise in UX/UI design, team leadership, and innovative problem-solving.
Early Beginnings and Education
My journey began with a childhood curiosity about the inner workings of toys and video games. This fascination led me to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science.
As I launched my career as an engineer, I uncovered a passion for improving user experiences through intentional UX flows, driven by a desire to simplify their interactions. This enthusiasm led me to pursue a Master's Degree in User Experience, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction.
Early Career: Vendio and 11Main
My professional journey started at Vendio, where I designed eBay templates for small business sellers. I then moved to 11Main, an Alibaba company, where I led the launch of their first website and mobile apps in the U.S., including their marketing efforts. At 11Main, I managed a team of three designers and, at one point, 25 contractors, honing my skills in team management and project execution.
Mid-Career: Quotient Technology
Joining Quotient Technology, a media and promotions company delivering grocery savings, I started as a UI designer and was promoted to Lead Product Designer. I designed consumer-facing experiences for Coupons.com and led the creation of innovative solutions for retail and CPG partners. My role involved satisfying three sets of customers: retailers, CPG brands, and end consumers.
Leadership Roles: Director to Senior Director
As I advanced to UX Director of Promotions at Quotient, I headed designs for consumer-facing products and B2B SaaS applications. My responsibilities included defining the vision for our experiences, mentoring designers, and establishing our design system. Eventually, I was promoted to Senior Director, overseeing the entire UX Department across multiple locations, including the Bay Area, India, Tel Aviv, and Paris. I also managed media capabilities like digital ads and billboards that led to savings experiences.
My journey in UX design has been marked by continuous growth, from an individual contributor to a leader of global teams. My experience spans various industries and products, always focusing on user-centered design and data-driven decision-making. As I look to the future, I'm excited to bring my expertise and passion for innovative UX solutions to new challenges and opportunities.
If you’ve made it this far, let me share a bit about myself and what I enjoy outside of being a UX Designer.
From Peloton to Pizza: How I stay sane Outside of UX
When I’m not busy saving the world through UX design, I make it a point to prioritize rest, meditation, and exercise—because who doesn’t love a little wellness and balance? I hop on my Peloton daily, pretending I'm in a high-stakes race while really just trying to avoid the couch. On weekends, I trade in my design tools for family time, indulging in meals, games, and movies that remind me why I love these people (most of the time). Oh, and let’s not forget my creative outlet: making stickers! Because nothing says “I’m a serious adult” like crafting tiny pieces of art. These little adventures keep me balanced, connected, and creatively fulfilled—because let’s face it, I need all the help I can get!
The Arellano 3 - Me, My wife, Malou, and my daughter, Lia
The most important thing in life will always be family
- Dominic Toretto
I lead a thrilling double life as a beach bum and Disney enthusiast. Yes, you heard that right—I'm living the dream!
Let me introduce you to my family, the dynamic trio that makes up our little crew. We're the Three Mouseketeers and not a debate, we know Han shot first. Love, support, and laughter are our specialties—mostly because we’ve mastered the art of laughing at each other’s dad jokes.
You might think I'd be a surfing pro living near the coast, but surprise! I’m more of a professional beach lounger. My idea of "hanging out at the beach" involves strategically positioning myself between the snack bar and the lifeguard tower. And when I say I love tropical vacations, I mean I've perfected ordering passion fruit margaritas from swim-up bars. Tough job, but someone has to do it!
When I’m not getting sand in uncomfortable places, you can find me at Disneyland, living my best life as an adult who gets unreasonably excited about oversized animal costumes. With Star Wars AND Marvel now in the mix, it’s like they took my childhood dreams and turned them into a theme park.
Our family dream is to visit all the Disney Parks and Cruise ships. So far, we've conquered 2 out of 6 parks and 1 out of 7 ships. At this rate, we should complete our mission sometime in the next century—but hey, who's counting? We’re just happy to wear matching family t-shirts and argue about FastPass strategies.
So there you have it—my thrilling life outside of UX design. If you ever see a grown man skipping down Main Street U.S.A. with a Mickey-shaped ice cream in one hand and a lightsaber in the other, don’t worry—it's just me, living my best life.
Woo!
- Nature Boy Ric Flair
Some more stuff I wanted to write about. All in random order:
❤️ video games, i think that was the one that truly got me into the tech industry in the first place.
❤️🩹 professional wrestling and I am glad my daughter loves it too.
If push comes to shove, we settle things in Mario Kart.
I am part of Beyonce’s 🐝-hive. I enjoy concerts and theatre, and if its a combo of both then hel! yes
I enjoy telling stories, editing, and making videos in my free time. YouTube channel soon.
A proud member of the Bay Are. I am a 49er faithful 🏈, part of the DubNation 🏀 and the G-Men ⚾