Hello. I’m Kristina—a design leader at the intersection of design, business and storytelling. I thrive in collaborative environments that allow me to help creatives do their best work.
Experience
Smartsheet
Currently leading UX for a pivotal, company-wide onboarding initiative. Led the design team that brought the modernized Views experience into customers hands—with Table, Board and Timeline.
SaaS | New views | PLG | Leadership
Photo by Unseen Studio on Unsplash
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash
OfferUp
Co-led a rebuild of the product experience from scratch for 40 million users and wore many hats on the way.
Startup | Agile
Anthro-tech
Solo designer helping nonprofits and government agencies serve millions of users working alongside a team of researchers.
Consulting | Rigorous research
Photo by Brands&People on Unsplash
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Architecture
Designed in award-winning architecture firms where I helped shape public spaces.
Schacht Aslani | Mahlum | Consulting | Built environment
My range of roles has offered my depth and breadth to offer others.
Senior Product Design Manager | Smartsheet
May 2024–Present
Product Design Manager | Smartsheet
March 2023–May 2024
Design Lead | Smartsheet
November 2022–March 2023
Senior Product Designer | Smartsheet
March 2022–November 2022
Senior Product Designer | OfferUp
January 2020–March 2022
UX Designer | Anthro-Tech
2018–2020
Architectural designer | Schacht Aslani/Mithun & Mahlum
2013–2017
Artist & Storyteller
2004–Present
Mentoring
Design Playground Podcast 🎙️
Where you will find conversations with creatives about their craft.
Episode 1: The Art of Storytelling with Daniel Castro
A brief conversation about what makes a story.
Episode 2: The Art of Photography with Robert Wade
A brief conversation about how to frame a moment.
Episode 3: The Art of Coaching with Stephanie Peiorolo
A brief conversation about leadership, decision-making and unlocking our true creative potential.
Episode 4: The Art of Making Work Inspired with Nature with Laura Burkhart
Coming in May.
Writing
Creativity, Mentorship, and the Magic of Connection
Join myself and Cara Lynn Kleid as we explore a range of topics from how we went from strangers to creative partners for the long game, how we maintain our creative energy and what ambition means to us.
Design Playground Substack
Musings about design, leadership, mindfulness and play.
The Building Blocks of Improv
A look at the power and practice of improvisation.
Crafting AI Experiences
An AI series of articles by myself and Dilip Jagadeesh.
Communicating Design to Stakeholders
A summary of effective methods.
Talks
Crafting narratives people will listen to
September 2024 | ADPList
A key aspect of our role as designers is to craft narratives others listen to.
Tactics for stakeholder management
June 2024 | ADPList
Why it’s important. Why design can't sell itself. Tactics to try and apply.
Education
University of Washington, Seattle
Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Design
California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Bachelor of Architecture, No #1 in Nation
The Improv School at Unexpected Productions
Learned a new method and mindset for active listening, collaboration and storytelling. Level 100-600.
Lifelong Learner
I believe that learning never stops so I remain engrossed in books and online courses.
Play
I love exploring mixed mediums of creativity, ranging from ceramics to watercolor to freshening furniture and them some:
