18 years experience
10 years managing teams
400+ pages written about creative process
I’m an outcome-oriented creative leader with a history of building diverse and effective teams, delivering best-in-class experiences, and establishing inclusive processes within organizations. I believe in putting my energy in places where I can help shape the world into something better.
VanMoof
Head of Experience Design
2020 – 2023
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Established experience design as a practice, growing a diverse team (10 nationalities across 16 hires) in both scale and skill and serving as a model for other teams within the company.
Reporting directly into the CEO, worked with executives to ensure teams had the clarity and support necessary to achieve both short-term practical and long-term strategic goals, even in times of ambiguity.
Created a design language system to align brand and communication across multiple physical and digital products as well as user types with diverse needs (end users, internal teams, B2B, and B2C).
Designed organizational structures and processes to support research and insights gathering, design and product strategy, and software development through multiple stages of scaling.
Defined a 3–5 year product strategy to guide physical and digital product and service development across 15 product teams. Strategy included clearly rationalized initiatives and measurable outcomes.
Established best practices around collaboration, communication, experimentation, and outcome-oriented design and development.
Freelance Consulting
Creative Strategy & Direction
2018 – 2020
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Worked with large enterprises to define, document, and prototype new processes for internal disruption and innovation.
Guided a venture spin-off of large raw-material producer in researching, defining, and building a product strategy for extending their reach to a smaller-scale B2C segment.
Worked with several small-scale connected-product companies to increase product lifespan by designing physical hardware that would maintain relevance through software releases.
Collaborated with a client in the travel industry to establish a strategic vision, guiding the next 3–5 years of development objectives for a team of 50+ designers, product owners, and engineers.
The Artificial
Creative Director & Founder
2013 – 2018
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Established and maintained relationships with clients, engaging from the start of the product cycle to shipping software with companies like Philips, 3D Systems, and Samsung, as well as several startups.
Built an inclusive design culture, empowering an all-female team of design consultants to contribute, grow, and lead. Most now either hold leadership positions or have established their own practices.
Developed methodologies to help partners' design and development teams create better quality products and services with more efficiency.
Choreographed the user experience for connected products and services intended for both professionals and consumers.
frog design
Senior Designer
2010 – 2013
Munich, Germany
Seattle, USA
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Established rapid expertise with a diverse client base, including financial, home automation, social networking, digital entertainment, telecommunications, retail, and enterprise software.
Designed digital interfaces for mobile, tablet, desktop, television, and architectural experiences.
Effectively communicated complex systems and strategies to diverse clients and stakeholders.
Collaborated with strategy and technology departments to deliver holistic solutions.
Big Fish Games
Senior UX Designer
2009 – 2010
Seattle, USA
Designed and developed game UI elements to improve usability.
Directed user research sessions and synthesized feedback into prioritized actions.
Brought an online social game to Facebook by integrating log in using Facebook Connect, incorporating Facebook Credit purchase flows, and designing a Facebook app experience.
Assisted in designing and executing physical experiences for trade shows.
Worked with marketing and community departments to ideate and design promotional material.
Microsoft
Senior UX Designer
2008 – 2009
Seattle, USA
Developed concepts for a web-based social-networking platform for music and media.
Coordinated with both local and overseas development teams to bring features to life.
Translated and extended existing device and sofware design language for web.
Developed designs for projects with musical artists and other partners.
Explored multiple design options through mockups, motion design, and prototypes.
infuz
Designer
2007 – 2008
St. Louis, USA
Participated in ideation and pitch preparations.
Presented concepts and interface design to clients.
Designed marketing campaigns and experiences at both conceptual and detail levels.
Managed traffic and resourcing.
Directed and supported production and development teams.
Education
Southern Illinois University
Graduated 2006
Edwardsville, USA
Bachelor of Fine Arts (summa cum laude)
Major in Studio Arts – Painting & Drawing
Minor in English
Extras
Author of The Practical Guide to Experience Design
Speaker and Mentor for Ladies that UX
Curator and Coordinator of Atelier Awful
Kind Words
“Best director I’ve ever had” doesn’t quite cover how great a leader Shannon is.
From my first day at VanMoof she guided me, taught me, supported me, all done in such a personable and warm way. She creates a team that wants to do well, not just for the company, but because she make you feel valued.
If you’re looking for a leader, an organiser, a crazy smart designer, but most importantly a caring person, you’ve found her.
Karis Mimms
UX Writer / Indirect Report at VanMoof
I count myself lucky to have worked with Shannon for two years at VanMoof. She’s an empathetic leader who took great care of the team, and who made sure we all took great care of our users (‘riders’ for VanMoof).
The depth of her experience is unparalleled - both when it comes down to the topics of design and leadership. She’s an advocate for an inclusive design practice, something I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration from.
Jip Eilbracht
Design Lead / Direct Report at VanMoof