As I approach over 15 years in design, I’ve realized my passions have stayed the same: I love helping designers deliver impact. I love creating systems to make design teams and my students succeed. I love working closely with cross-functional teams and complex technologies to shape how people interact with products, services, and experiences.

I’m a faculty member at SVA’s Product of Design MFA program and run a design practice that helps startups establish product design foundations for early-stage funding.

A picture of young Krissi smiling, looking at the camera, infant of an apple computer from 1989
If you count my obsession with designing alien avatars, it’s a bit more than 15 years.

Professional Experience

Vanna Health, Director of Product Design

Los Angeles, CA  | 2024 - Current

  • I apply the appropriate design strategy and program to complex healthcare challenges to create compliant and intuitive solutions.

Product Design Consultant

Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY | 2022 - Current

  • I help startups establish product design foundations for early-stage funding by applying the appropriate design strategys and programs to complex healthcare challenges.

SVA Products of Design MFA, Faculty Member, and Thesis Advisor

New York, NY | 2020 - Current

  • Instructs classes of up to 18 MFA candidates in Advanced Interaction Design Practices
  • Combines theory with practical application through projects with AI, Big Data, and AR/VR technology themes
  • Transitioned the class into virtual and hybrid models throughout the Covid-19 pandemic

Komodo Health, Director of Design

New York, NY | 2020 - 2022

  • Responsible for the user experience of ten healthcare data analytic products and platform experiences and associated DesignOps programs
  • Grew the design practice from two to six full-time hires in 12 months, onboarded consultants, and launched a design internship program
  • Ensured the design team’s work aligned with business goals and kept stakeholders involved and informed
  • Built a design career advancement program based on goals and expectations of levels and roles
  • Established guidelines for data visualizations, product illustrations, and launched a design system to create a consistent user experience across applications, increasing design and development delivery by up to 40 percent.
  • Worked cross-functionally to promote the value of human-centered design and user research through various sessions, including a half-day interactive workshop with over 60 participants

IBM | New York, NY | 2015 - 2020

Americas Design Lead at the IBM Garage for Cloud

  • Oversaw the design discipline of 13 product design consultants across six garage locations in North and South America
  • Defined and executed DesignOps initiatives for IT organization transformation projects
  • Collaborated with leadership and business development to scope and deliver design solutions for clients, supporting over $5 million in revenue
  • Watch one of my clients from Mueller speak to an engagement I led.

Design Lead at the IBM NYC Garage for Cloud

  • Delivered over 35 Enterprise Design Thinking, AI/Data engagements to clients and drove design execution of product deliverables worldwide
  • Supported the launch of new IBM Garage locations in Germany and Denmark by hiring and onboarding for local candidates and sales teams
  • Co-created with clients to define business opportunities and develop cloud-based solutions through human-centered design, Lean Startup, and agile methodologies

Visual Design Lead for IBM Z

  • Led a team of up to 6 product designers concentrated on software for IBM’s high-end mainframe offering
  • Defined and communicated design strategy and execution to executives and stakeholders
  • Contributed to IBM’s international design program office as the NYC IBM Design Studio Ambassador, responsible for cross-organization critiques, visiting guest presentations, and mentorship

Select Clients: Ikea, Citi, Electrolux, Volvo, Moleskine, Anthem, Duke Energy

Shake, Head of Design

New York, NY | 2013 - 2015

  • Led the product design and execution of the iPhone, Android, and web app, as well as company brand and integrity standards
  • A leadership team member, worked with engineering and business teams to identify opportunities, develop product strategy, and prioritize 
company goals
  • Collaborated with Pivotal Labs to support an agile development process as a product manager and design lead
  • Participated in Legal Shields’s acquisition of Shake

Parson’s The New School Design Lecturer

New York, NY |  2014

  • Instructed 18 BFA Communication Design students in Editorial Design for mobile and digital interfaces

Joe Zeff Design, Digital Product Designer

Greater New York | 2012 - 2013

  • Designed, built, and managed digital application development projects

Select Clients: National Geographic Magazine, Fast Company Magazine, 
The Royal Irish Academy, Kids Discover Magazine, PC Magazine

Ink, Co-Founder, Editor, and Creative Director

Baltimore, MD | 2010 - 2012

  • Conceptualized, art directed, produced original editorial content, and managed illustration and editorial contributors for Ink, a design publication
  • Coordinated sponsorships and events, raised funding and advertising
  • Created issues in conjunction with The Denver Post, The Detroit Media Partnership, and The Boston Globe

Dotomi, Interactive Designer

Chicago | 2009

  • Designed digital advertisements with multiple dynamic fields and built out campaigns with account managers and engineers

Select Clients: The Company Store, Babies’R’Us, Reebox

The Virginian-Pilot Media Companies, Multimedia Designer

Norfolk, VA | 2006 - 2009

  • Art directed, designed, and developed editorial content, special sections, and photoshoots for Link, a daily publication
  • Designed and built the publication’s website and managed the content team

Speaking Engagements

ITX Product and Design Conference

Rochester, New York | 2023

Keynote Speaker: How to Measure Design Without Selling Your Creative Soul

Interaction23

Zurich, Switzerland | 2023

Accelerate impact: How to align design, data, and business to build products people actually use.

IBM + Futurism: Your Clouds Can Conference

New York, NY | 2019

How Design Thinking Fosters Innovative Making with Data

Maryland Institute College of Art

Baltimore, MD | 2019

As a design resident, led BFA graphic design students through a three-week speculative futurism project.

IBM’s Energy, Environment, and Utilities Symposium

Yorktown Heights, NY | 2019

How Design Supports Digital Transformations

AIGA Double or Nothing Initiative

New York, NY | 2018

Co-facilitated design thinking workshop to support women design leaders with Doug Powell, IBM Vice President of Design, for AIGA’s leadership committee

NC State College of Design

Raleigh, NC | 2018

Developed and led Master of Graphic Design students through a speculative futurism workshop on machine learning and product design practices

Women President’s Organization Annual Conference

Orlando, FL | 2017

Led an IBM Garage Method workshop experience

IBM Asks Series with Ellen Lupton

New York, NY | 2016

Interviewed Ellen Lupton about her research on the sensory design experience

Design Driven NYC from FirstMark Capital

New York, NY | 2015

Presented Mobile Design For Long-Form Content

Maryland Institute College of Art

Baltimore, MD | 2013 and 2014

As a visiting design lecturer, led two intensive digital application workshops with MFA candidates.
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Education

MFA Graphic Design
Maryland Institute College of Art

Baltimore, MD

Thesis advisors: Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips
My thesis, The Designer as Editor, revealed the nuances of the editorial process and the contemporary role of the designer as editor, by using Ink, a design magazine, as a living experiment.

Graphic Design Thinking: Beyond Brainstorming
Contributing writer and designer

Edited by Ellen Lupton, published by Princeton Architectural Press

MICA’s Certificate in College Teaching of Art

Applied pedagogy strategies and theory to teaching internships

B.A. Journalism
Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

© KRISSI XENAKIS 2023
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