Al is available for hire

Al Blanco

Verified Expert in Design

Designer

Location

New York, United States

Toptal Member Since

May 3, 2021

Al hits the ground running, uncovering insights, solving big challenges through IP-worthy innovation, applying rigorous UX methodologies and human-centered design principles. Blanco is hands-on; no prima donna here. Whether inventing new digital products, tackling automated process improvement, or finding clever ways to increase engagement through award-winning experiences, he can deliver world-class websites, mobile and tablet apps, as well as industrial and consumer software with true ROI.

Portfolio

Work Experience

Digital Strategy Director

2017 - 2020

Accenture

Delivered digital transformation of the customer travel experience for HMSHost brands, including Burger King, Starbucks, and over 2,000 other top food and beverage brands.
Developed the next-generation suite of cloud hyper computing applications for one of the largest oil and gas services companies in the world.
Transformed the end-to-end customer experience from mostly paper to mostly digital for the world's largest memorialization company.
Led the development of an innovation lab for a Fortune 500 company. Worked with C-level to recruit and staff UX teams.
Led design and implementation of reimagined POS kiosks, mobile apps, and integrated digital menu signage for HMSHost brands.

Technologies: InVision App, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Sketch, Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), Digital Strategy, Product Strategy, UX Strategy, Digital Product Design, Digital Marketing, Intuitive UX Design, UX Research, User Journey Maps, Business Cases, Requirements & Specifications, Heuristic Analysis, Use Case Analysis, User Personas, User Research, Ethnographic Studies, Lean UX, Agile UX, Ad Campaigns, Figma, Axure RP Pro, UXPin, Adobe InDesign, Sitecore, Adobe Photoshop, Unity3D, HTML5, CSS, Web UX, Competitive Strategy, Digital Kiosks, Facebook Open Graph API, Web App UX, Information Architecture (IA), Proprietary CMS, Functional Mapping, Wireframe to Product, Concepting, Wireframing, Animated Prototypes, Art Direction, User Experience (UX), User Journeys, Product Roadmaps, Product Design, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, Annotated Wireframes, UX Design, User Flows, Responsive Design, Customer Journeys, Mobile Design, Process Mapping, Mobile UX, Web Design, Information Design, Functional Design, Graphic Design, B2C, B2B, High-fidelity Mockups, Mobile App UI, MVP Design, Human-centered Design (HCD), Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Mobile App Design, UI Design, InVision Studio, Adobe Illustrator, HTML, Redesign, Web App UI, Website Redesign, User Interviews, Responsive Web Apps, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web App Design, User Interface (UI), Scheduling, Android, iOS, Presentation Design, Marketing Design, Digital Marketing Design, Dashboard Design, Data Visualization, High-fidelity Prototypes, Cross-platform UX, Cross-platform, Prototyping, Visual Design, Illustration, Motion Design, Animation, Social Media Apps, Social Media Platforms, Enterprise Application Design, Mobile Apps, Software as a Service (SaaS), Windows App Design, Dashboards, Component Libraries, Websites, Personas, Mobile-first Design, Leadership, System Design, Automotive, Usability Testing, UX Review, Blockchain Platforms, Banking & Finance, 3D, Interviewing, Interviews, Customer Interviews, Research, UI Research, Educational Platform Design, Education Technology (Edtech), Edtech Design, Content Management Systems (CMS), Webflow, Webflow CMS, UX Audits, Design Sprints, Discovery Workshops, Ideation, Ideation Workshops, Design Thinking, Design Workshops, UX Workshops, Framer Prototyping, UX Flows, Web Portals, Restaurants & Dining, Portal Websites, SaaS Design, eCommerce, Sales Funnel, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Conversion Rate, Order Management, Funnel Analysis, Funnel Optimization, Progressive Web Applications (PWA), Online Ordering, Conversion, Design Systems, Branding, Rapid Prototyping, User Testing, SaaS, Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), UX Leadership, Thought Leadership, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Strategy, Enterprise, Accounting Systems, Data Virtualization, DataViz, Task Flows, Interaction Design (IxD), Industrial Design, Strategic Design, Human-computer Interaction (HCI), Design Strategy, User-centered Design (UCD), Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Design Leadership, Miro, Mobile UI Design, Mobile UX Design, Mobile UI, UX Wireframes, 3D Modeling, CAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketching, Interior Design, Physical Design, Events, Museums & Exhibits, R&D, AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, Fintech, Agile, Scrum

Principal Digital Strategist

2010 - 2017

Infusion

Developed high-impact apps and digital marketing programs for the American Idol show that delivered 10X audience conversions.
Designed the largest architectural research website and supporting CMS designed to stringent scholarly use cases from MIT and Harvard.
Led the establishment of professional UX practice from infancy to maturity in a few years for Infusion.
Responsible for over $50 million in UX project revenue through a hands-on, in the trenches, approach where I drove the lion's share of the output and outcomes.
Developed internal UX practices and human-centered design methodologies and established internal processes.

Technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Digital Strategy, Product Strategy, UX Strategy, Digital Product Design, Digital Marketing, Intuitive UX Design, UX Research, User Journey Maps, Business Cases, Requirements & Specifications, Heuristic Analysis, Use Case Analysis, User Personas, User Research, Ethnographic Studies, Lean UX, Agile UX, Ad Campaigns, Automation, Figma, InVision App, UXPin, Adobe InDesign, Sitecore, Unity3D, HTML5, CSS, Content Strategy, Web UX, Competitive Strategy, Digital Kiosks, Facebook Open Graph API, Web App UX, Information Architecture (IA), Proprietary CMS, Functional Mapping, Wireframe to Product, Concepting, Wireframing, Animated Prototypes, Art Direction, User Experience (UX), User Journeys, Product Roadmaps, Product Design, Annotated Wireframes, UX Design, User Flows, Responsive Design, Customer Journeys, Mobile Design, Process Mapping, Mobile UX, Web Design, Information Design, Functional Design, Graphic Design, B2C, B2B, High-fidelity Mockups, Mobile App UI, MVP Design, Human-centered Design (HCD), Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Mobile App Design, UI Design, InVision Studio, HTML, Redesign, Web App UI, Website Redesign, User Interviews, Responsive Web Apps, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web App Design, User Interface (UI), Scheduling, Android, iOS, Presentation Design, Marketing Design, Digital Marketing Design, Dashboard Design, Data Visualization, High-fidelity Prototypes, Cross-platform UX, Cross-platform, Prototyping, Visual Design, Illustration, Motion Design, Animation, Social Media Apps, Social Media Platforms, Enterprise Application Design, Mobile Apps, Software as a Service (SaaS), Windows App Design, Dashboards, Component Libraries, Websites, Personas, Mobile-first Design, Leadership, System Design, Automotive, Usability Testing, UX Review, Blockchain Platforms, Gaming Platforms, Banking & Finance, 3D, Interviewing, Interviews, Customer Interviews, Research, UI Research, Educational Platform Design, Education Technology (Edtech), Edtech Design, Content Management Systems (CMS), Webflow CMS, Webflow, UX Audits, Design Sprints, Discovery Workshops, Ideation, Ideation Workshops, Design Thinking, Design Workshops, UX Workshops, Framer Prototyping, UX Flows, Web Portals, Restaurants & Dining, Portal Websites, SaaS Design, eCommerce, Sales Funnel, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Conversion Rate, Order Management, Funnel Analysis, Funnel Optimization, Progressive Web Applications (PWA), Online Ordering, Conversion, Design Systems, Branding, Rapid Prototyping, User Testing, SaaS, Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), UX Leadership, Thought Leadership, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Strategy, Enterprise, Accounting Systems, Data Virtualization, DataViz, Task Flows, Interaction Design (IxD), Industrial Design, Strategic Design, Human-computer Interaction (HCI), Design Strategy, User-centered Design (UCD), Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Design Leadership, Miro, Mobile UI Design, Mobile UX Design, Mobile UI, UX Wireframes, 3D Modeling, CAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketching, Interior Design, Physical Design, Events, Museums & Exhibits, R&D, AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, Fintech, Agile, Scrum

Digital Products Inventor

2004 - 2009

TopDog Digital

Researched and developed a series of trade secrets and processes, including a U.S. Patent granted in 2008.
Developed intellectual property which gained investor funding. Patent value exceeded $10 million.
Developed systems and applied technology to support a global workforce of digital artists, including training, support technology, and a transactional website.
Took company from startup to profit in less than three years.
Develop multiple innovations using automation, digital processing, and specialized systems integration.

Technologies: Digital Printing, Adobe ExtendScript Toolkit, JavaScript, Business Cases, Digital Strategy, Product Strategy, UX Strategy, Digital Product Design, Digital Marketing, Intuitive UX Design, UX Research, User Journey Maps, Requirements & Specifications, Heuristic Analysis, Use Case Analysis, User Personas, User Research, Ethnographic Studies, Automation, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Unity3D, HTML5, CSS, Content Strategy, Web UX, Competitive Strategy, Digital Kiosks, Web App UX, Information Architecture (IA), 3D, Functional Mapping, Wireframe to Product, Concepting, Wireframing, Animated Prototypes, Art Direction, User Experience (UX), User Journeys, Product Roadmaps, Product Design, Annotated Wireframes, UX Design, User Flows, Responsive Design, Customer Journeys, Mobile Design, Process Mapping, Mobile UX, Web Design, Information Design, Functional Design, Graphic Design, Package Design, B2C, B2B, High-fidelity Mockups, Mobile App UI, MVP Design, Human-centered Design (HCD), Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Mobile App Design, UI Design, Adobe Illustrator, HTML, Redesign, Web App UI, Website Redesign, User Interviews, Web App Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Responsive Web Apps, User Interface (UI), Scheduling, Presentation Design, Marketing Design, Digital Marketing Design, Dashboard Design, Data Visualization, High-fidelity Prototypes, Cross-platform UX, Cross-platform, Prototyping, Visual Design, Illustration, Motion Design, Enterprise Application Design, Mobile Apps, Windows App Design, Dashboards, Websites, Personas, Leadership, System Design, Usability Testing, UX Review, Banking & Finance, Interviewing, Interviews, Customer Interviews, Research, UI Research, Content Management Systems (CMS), UX Audits, Design Sprints, Discovery Workshops, Ideation, Ideation Workshops, Design Thinking, Design Workshops, UX Workshops, UX Flows, Web Portals, Portal Websites, eCommerce, Sales Funnel, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Conversion Rate, Order Management, Funnel Analysis, Funnel Optimization, Progressive Web Applications (PWA), Online Ordering, Conversion, Design Systems, Branding, Rapid Prototyping, User Testing, SaaS, UX Leadership, Thought Leadership, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Strategy, Enterprise, Accounting Systems, Data Virtualization, DataViz, Stock Market, Stock Trading, Task Flows, Interaction Design (IxD), Industrial Design, Strategic Design, Human-computer Interaction (HCI), Design Strategy, User-centered Design (UCD), Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Design Leadership, Mobile UI, UX Wireframes, 3D Modeling, CAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketching, Interior Design, Physical Design, Events, Museums & Exhibits, R&D, AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, Fintech, Agile, Scrum

Chief Digital Officer

1994 - 2001

Meta4 Digital Agency

Chosen Digital Agency Of Record for General Electric's first global website - circa 1995. At the time thought to be the "largest" internet account of its kind by Adweek. Competing and winning against behemoth NYC agencies, BBDO, JWT, and others.
Pioneered early user experience methodology and processes. Developed unique roles based on other creative businesses such as film production, advertising, and graphic design practices. An early entrant into the field of digital strategy and UX.
Took pride (as a founder and partner) in having built a digital services business that was highly profitable during the early dot.com era. The company was successfully sold to a public digital conglomerate in 2000.

Technologies: HTML5, Digital Strategy, Product Strategy, UX Strategy, Digital Product Design, Digital Marketing, Intuitive UX Design, UX Research, User Journey Maps, Business Cases, Requirements & Specifications, Heuristic Analysis, Use Case Analysis, User Personas, User Research, Ethnographic Studies, Ad Campaigns, Automation, Ad Design, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Unity3D, Digital Printing, JavaScript, CSS, Content Strategy, Competitive Strategy, Digital Kiosks, Web App UX, Information Architecture (IA), 3D, Functional Mapping, Wireframe to Product, Concepting, Wireframing, Animated Prototypes, Art Direction, User Experience (UX), User Journeys, Product Roadmaps, Product Design, Annotated Wireframes, UX Design, User Flows, Customer Journeys, Mobile Design, Process Mapping, Mobile UX, Web Design, Web UX, Information Design, Functional Design, Graphic Design, Package Design, B2C, B2B, High-fidelity Mockups, Mobile App UI, MVP Design, Human-centered Design (HCD), Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Mobile App Design, UI Design, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe ExtendScript Toolkit, HTML, Redesign, Web App UI, Website Redesign, User Interviews, Web App Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Responsive Web Apps, User Interface (UI), Scheduling, Presentation Design, Marketing Design, Digital Marketing Design, Dashboard Design, Data Visualization, High-fidelity Prototypes, Cross-platform UX, Cross-platform, Prototyping, Visual Design, Illustration, Motion Design, Animation, Enterprise Application Design, Mobile Apps, Dashboards, Component Libraries, Websites, Personas, Leadership, System Design, Usability Testing, UX Review, Gaming Platforms, Banking & Finance, Interviewing, Interviews, Customer Interviews, Research, UI Research, Educational Platform Design, Education Technology (Edtech), Edtech Design, Content Management Systems (CMS), UX Audits, Discovery Workshops, Ideation, Ideation Workshops, Design Workshops, UX Workshops, UX Flows, Web Portals, Restaurants & Dining, Portal Websites, SaaS Design, eCommerce, Sales Funnel, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Conversion Rate, Order Management, Funnel Analysis, Funnel Optimization, Progressive Web Applications (PWA), Online Ordering, Conversion, Design Systems, Branding, Rapid Prototyping, User Testing, SaaS, Accessibility, UX Leadership, Thought Leadership, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Strategy, Enterprise, Accounting Systems, Data Virtualization, DataViz, Stock Market, Stock Trading, Task Flows, Interaction Design (IxD), Design Strategy, User-centered Design (UCD), Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Design Leadership, Mobile UI, UX Wireframes, CAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketching, Interior Design, Industrial Design, Physical Design, Events, Museums & Exhibits, R&D, SOLIDWORKS, Fintech, Agile

Chief Digital Design Director

1990 - 1994

FolioTech

Developed and launched my first production software and database as a subscription service to talent scouts and producers in the adverting and entertainment industry.
Took digital product from concept, through R&D, design, development, production, deployment, and on through to the cash positive stage.
Developed a highly polished user experience for the product, employing early natural language search.
Developed one of the first CD-ROM subscription services for the entertainment industry.
Secured venture funding for this startup and grew the company's leadership and staff.

Technologies: Digital Strategy, Product Strategy, UX Strategy, Digital Product Design, Intuitive UX Design, UX Research, User Journey Maps, Business Cases, Requirements & Specifications, Heuristic Analysis, Use Case Analysis, User Personas, User Research, Ethnographic Studies, Ad Campaigns, Package Design, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Digital Printing, HTML5, JavaScript, Competitive Strategy, Digital Kiosks, 3D, Functional Mapping, Wireframe to Product, Concepting, Wireframing, Animated Prototypes, Art Direction, User Experience (UX), User Journeys, Product Roadmaps, Product Design, Annotated Wireframes, UX Design, User Flows, Customer Journeys, Process Mapping, Web Design, Information Design, Functional Design, Graphic Design, B2C, B2B, High-fidelity Mockups, MVP Design, Human-centered Design (HCD), Competitor Analysis & Profiling, UI Design, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe ExtendScript Toolkit, Website Redesign, User Interviews, User Interface (UI), Scheduling, Presentation Design, Marketing Design, Digital Marketing Design, Dashboard Design, Data Visualization, High-fidelity Prototypes, Cross-platform UX, Cross-platform, Prototyping, Visual Design, Illustration, Motion Design, Animation, Personas, Leadership, System Design, Usability Testing, UX Review, Banking & Finance, Interviewing, Interviews, Customer Interviews, Research, UI Research, Content Management Systems (CMS), UX Audits, Discovery Workshops, Ideation, Ideation Workshops, Design Workshops, UX Flows, SaaS Design, eCommerce, Sales Funnel, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Conversion Rate, Order Management, Funnel Analysis, Funnel Optimization, Online Ordering, Conversion, Design Systems, Branding, User Testing, SaaS, UX Leadership, Thought Leadership, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Strategy, Enterprise, Accounting Systems, Data Virtualization, DataViz, Stock Market, Stock Trading, Task Flows, Interaction Design (IxD), Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Design Leadership, UX Wireframes, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketching, Interior Design, Industrial Design, Physical Design, Events, Museums & Exhibits, R&D

Group Creative Director

1986 - 1990

Saatchi & Saatchi

Responsible for the creative direction for Nissans trucks and SUV campaigns.
Conceptualized, storyboarded, and wrote highly acclaimed TV commercials for Nissan Maxima, Altima, and Sentra.
Responsible for major broadcast productions for Nissan at Universal Studios featuring Paula Abdul as choreographer.
Launched the most successful SUV campaign of its time for the introduction of the Nissan Pathfinder.
Responsible for the successful campaign "we make you feel like dancing" directed by Ridley Scott.
Led production and talent in production Hollywood productions of 6 X 30:00 commercials that aired on national television.

Technologies: Ad Design, Commercials, Digital Product Design, Package Design, Adobe Photoshop, Digital Printing, Competitive Strategy, Concepting, Art Direction, Print Ads, UX Research, Product Roadmaps, UX Design, User Flows, Content Strategy, User Experience (UX), Graphic Design, B2C, B2B, High-fidelity Mockups, Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Adobe Illustrator, Website Redesign, User Interviews, Presentation Design, Marketing Design, Digital Marketing Design, Data Visualization, High-fidelity Prototypes, Prototyping, Visual Design, Illustration, Motion Design, Animation, Personas, Leadership, System Design, Automotive, Banking & Finance, Interviewing, Interviews, Customer Interviews, Research, Discovery Workshops, Ideation, Ideation Workshops, Design Workshops, Sales Funnel, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Conversion Rate, Funnel Analysis, Funnel Optimization, Conversion, Design Systems, Branding, Thought Leadership, Strategy, Enterprise, Data Virtualization, DataViz, Interaction Design (IxD), Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Design Leadership, UX Wireframes

Education

1978 - 1982

Bachelor's Degree in Advertising and Marketing

University of Miami - Miami, Florida, USA

1976 - 1978

Associate's Degree in Art & Design

Miami Dade College - Miami, Florida, USA

Certifications

JUNE 2008 - PRESENT

Patent Number: 7384667

U.S. Patent Office

Experience

UX Strategy - 20 years Product Roadmaps - 20 years Digital Strategy - 20 years UX Research - 20 years User Research - 20 years Product Design - 20 years User Journeys - 20 years User Experience (UX) - 20 years

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