I am an execution-oriented design leader who builds high-performing design teams for complex data and AI/ML startups. My success stories are mostly about getting tough things done in fast-paced environments. My sweet spot is operating across all functions within the organization, using Design to turn vision into meaningful growth for the business.

I'm proud of the Design teams I've built over the years that elevate designers beyond the reactive and into the strategically proactive contributions that drive product success. So much of a startup Designer's success comes from their ability to know what tradeoffs to make when to make them, and when to push beyond them. I'd like to think that my teams get more of their best designs shipped because of skills like these.

I live in San Francisco with my wife, where I'm usually training for my next marathon when I'm not working. If you're in the Bay Area, drop me a note to connect.


Endorsements

"Brett is a trusted and inspiring design leader. I have the opportunity to be part of his team at Mixpanel. He is an advocate for customer-centered design and mentors the team on the best design practices. Even at an organizational level, he influences cross-functional leaders to align decisions on customer value. He is a thorough practitioner of the human-centered design process. Brett builds a great team culture by building trust and camaraderie. I am inspired by his leadership style and his commitment to human-centered design."
–  Rakhi Parekh, Senior Product Designer at Mixpanel


"Passion. Determination. Perseverance. Talent. Creativity. In the 17 years I've been involved with technology I've never met a successful entrepreneur who didn't possess a modicum of all five traits. Brett has them all in spades. He consistently delivers on projects big and small. I have entrusted him with my largest clients and even acquired his company in the past."
– Bryce Wells, Chief Product Officer, Athlon Sports


"I've been a client, friend and a co-worker of Brett's and believe him to have exceptional creative energy and interactive skill. He's one of the few people I know who offers both strategic intelligence and a strong design aesthetic. I think he has a big future in inspiring, informing and building signature interactive experiences."
– Gary Brandon, VP Brand Strategy, Lewis Communications

"I appreciate Brett’s skills as a leader and collaborator around user experience and design, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to work with him on key projects. During our first business trip together to interview end users and clients, I appreciate Brett’s approach to gather clear and concise information and apply it to improve the experience for the user. Whether he was creating easy-to-follow user flow charts and designing quick wireframes, I found Brett to be well organized and easily able to take complex workflows and provide simplified steps striving for optimal user experience, satisfying our business needs at the same time. I look forward to any opportunity to work with Brett."
– John Yamasaki, Product Manager, Telmate


"I've worked directly with Brett for the last six years. Brett lead the design and UX effort to build the StudioNow platform, its corporate website and several other products like our Asset Management system. Brett has a strategic mind, a great eye, and fantastic design/UX talent. After AOL acquired StudioNow, Brett continued to provide services not only to SN but to AOL and its broader content platform initiatives. Brett has shown leadership and management skills both in an entrepreneurial setting and within larger companies like AOL."
– David Corts, COO, StudioNow


"Brett is one of the most talented creative minds that I know. His approach towards design is strategic and thoughtful. I've never seen an interactive design from him that I didn't like."
– Jon Henshaw, President, Raven Tools


Experience

Head of Product Design
Altana.ai - San Francisco, CA
May 2022 - Present

  • Building the team designing AI-driven solutions for the world’s only living breathing map of the global supply chain.

Head of Product & Design
Lobus - San Francisco, CA
January 2020 - May 2022

  • Innovated NFT smart contract solutions for artists making physical art

  • Built the first shared asset management platform for artists and collectors

  • Unlocked new paths to new paths to liquidy for collectors

Head of Product Design
Blend - San Francisco, CA
October 2019 - May 2020

  • Unifying fragmented design systems across products for increased speed-to-market

  • Redefining user research team contribution for faster validation cycles to keep up with the pace of business

  • Mentoring Design Managers for personal and team growth

Head of Product Design
Carta - San Francisco, CA
December 2018 - October 2019

  • Spearheaded redesign of information architecture, journey maps, and new design system for entire product surface area.

  • Unified remote and local Product Design team with processes that foster holistic ownership of problems using outcomes-driven design best practices that leverage OKRs

  • Established first user research roles, processes and platforms in the company’s history

Head of Design
Mixpanel - San Francisco, CA
July 2017 - October 2018

  • 200% increase of the design team’s pulse survey results

  • Rebuilt the product design and studio teams to allow for fast problem-solving at scale

  • Created 1st customer-centric design process to deliver speed-to-value

  • Created and launched Mixpanel Visionary Partners (MVP’s) program that integrates customers into the design process

  • Redefined design principles, human-centered design processes, and leveling guides for employee growth

  • Created and launched the first Customer Beta Program in the company’s history

 

Head of Product Design
StudioNow - San Francisco, CA
February 2016 - July 2017

  • Rebuilt the product research, design, and development teams to help a sales organization transform into a technology company

  • Completely redesigned existing tech-enabled service platform to enable a pure SaaS offering. 

  • Redesigned all product UX and pattern libraries from the ground up leveraging the best practices of user centric design

 

UX Manager
Telmate - San Francisco, CA
August 2015 - February 2016

  • Rebuilt UX team on the foundation of Lean design and development methodologies

  • Implemented rapid prototyping and user feedback processes for high velocity development

  • Launched API-driven style guide with centralized pattern library to service responsive web, kiosk, and mobile app products

 

UX Lead (Contract)
Comcast Silicon Valley - San Francisco, CA
May 2015 - August 2015

  • Led strategy for the See.it product resulting in the integration of the product into the X1 entertainment system

  • Redesigned the See.it user experience and co-managed the design team to deliver definition for development

 

Creative Director UX
YouScience.com - New York, NY
September 2013 - May 2015

  • Led the product UX research and design teams for both enterprise and consumer platforms

  • Collaborated on strategy and executed all creative for marketing, achieving peak click-thru rates on banner campaigns of 7.9-12.5%, and increase of 800% above industry standard

  • Successfully managed both product and marketing objectives while advancing business strategy in a fast- paced startup environment

Founder, Creative Director
Brett Marlin Creative - New York, NY
May 2003 - June 2012

  • Founded a digital agency of strategists, designers, and developers to deliver product and solutions to clients of all types including: AOL, Best Buy, Stella Artois, Huffington Post, McKinsey & Co., Healthways, Apartment Therapy, Vanderbilt University, Warner Music, Maxim Magazine, and Hospital Corporation of America (HCA).

  • Led UX design strategy for AOL’s content platform and eventual integration with Huffington Post

  • Redesigned maxim.com and helped increase social pages by more than 400% with recommended strategy

  • Produced an immediate 200% sales increase for Johnston & Murphy with a design strategy to showcase their new comfort technology, XC4

  • Enabled Advanced Aesthetics, the nation’s largest aesthetic enhancement brand, to raise $30 million by designing an investor manual to clearly and accurately illustrate concepts

 

Senior Visual Designer
Weberize - Nashville, TN
May 2000 - May 2002

  • Retained following acquisition of my sole proprietorship, M4 Design Studio, to manage four designers for the region’s leading interactive agency specializing in digital design for startups

  • Served as Chief Creative Liaison between creative team and high profile clients including Capital Records, the National Football League and The Corporation for Public Broadcasting

  • Acknowledged by CEO as the driving creative force behind the company’s distinctive design approach that was used to clinch deals and gain competitive edge


Education

Savannah College of Art & Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography
Minor of Fine Arts, Art History


Social