Chris is available for hire
Hire ChrisChris Blanz
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Location
Nashville, TN, United States
Toptal Member Since
March 8, 2021
Chris creates user-friendly digital experiences that inform, instruct, and inspire. He can serve multiple roles for a single project, including UX strategist, UX designer, UI designer, and copywriter, creating everything from concept sketches to high-fidelity, interactive prototypes. As a hands-on team leader, Chris has created award-winning campaigns for brands like Band-Aid, Cracker Barrel, ExxonMobil, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, MIT, The Washington Post, LEGO, and National Geographic.
Portfolio
Work Experience
User Experience Designer
2013 - PRESENT
Self-Employed
- Redesigned the user experience for Dataswift's user and developer platforms, plus the internal admin UX. Enhanced brand standards and a "best practices" process to bring multiple products under a single visual and vocal identity. dataswift.io.
- Designed and managed the development of a message management system UX and UI for the WNBPA that allowed management to tactically message individuals, teams, special groups, or the entire league with announcements, polls, or special alerts.
- Developed the first-to-market concept for Smile Care Club that included product development and the initial pilot to prove the concept. Shortly after launch, Invisalign bought a 19% stake in the company.
- Enhanced the user experience, recruited an elite team of creatives to accelerate the brand's evolution, and developed investor presentations for SportsBlog.com. Momentum grew from 5,000 visitors in the first month to 1 million after 11 months.
- Designed and developed a fresh brand strategy, company identity, and graphic standards library for Kythera Labs.
Technologies: Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Sketch, Webflow, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Apple Keynote, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Advertising, Product Design, Graphic Design, Writing & Editing, Creative Direction, Logo Design, Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Microsoft Office, Statistics, Analytics, Basketball, Sports, Coaching, Product Strategy, Brainstorming, UX Strategy, iOS App Design, Android App Design, App Design, Mobile UX, Mobile App UI, Facilitation, Art Direction, Education, K-12 Education, Early Childhood Education, Education Technology (Edtech), SaaS, SaaS Design, Enterprise SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Healthcare, Health & Wellness, Health, Digital Health, Healthcare Management Systems, Wellness, Web Design, Web UX, Web App UX, Web UI, Web UI Design, Web Animation, UX Design, UI Design, iOS UI Design, Mobile UI, Mobile, iOS, Design Leadership, Web Platforms, Online Platform, Copywriting, Platform Design, Websites, Landing Page Design, Landing Pages, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Web Marketing, B2B, Branding, Illustration, Mobile Design, Brand Logos, UX Writing, Newsletter Design, Blog Posting
VP | Creative and User Experience
2018 - 2019
Perception Health
- Designed enhancements for the flagship SaaS platform's interface with a multiphased approach that provided minor incremental but tactical improvements to the user experience.
- Refined the company brand and the existing SaaS product identities.
- Wrote new copy for all public-facing products and services and promotions for the web, print, and sales presentations.
- Designed and developed a new website, including a full CMS-driven blog using Webflow.
Technologies: Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Webflow, Microsoft Office, Salesforce, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Apple Keynote, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Advertising, Product Design, Graphic Design, Writing & Editing, Creative Direction, Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Principle, Statistics, Analytics, Product Strategy, Brainstorming, UX Strategy, Facilitation, Art Direction, Education, SaaS, SaaS Design, Enterprise SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Healthcare, Health & Wellness, Health IT, Health, Digital Health, Healthcare Management Systems, Wellness, Web Design, Web UX, Web App UX, Web UI, Web UI Design, Web Animation, UX Design, UI Design, iOS UI Design, Mobile UI, Mobile, iOS, Design Leadership, Web Platforms, Online Platform, Copywriting, Platform Design, Websites, Landing Page Design, Landing Pages, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Web Marketing, B2B, Branding, Illustration, Mobile UX, Mobile Design, Brand Logos, UX Writing, Newsletter Design, Blog Posting
UX/UI Product Designer | Co-Founder
2013 - 2018
PHY.net SDK
- Invented a new patented process to securely manage and remotely control Bluetooth beacons, NFC tags, and QR code touchpoints using Google's Physical Web protocol.
- Designed a comprehensive user experience strategy that took concepts through an iterative process of design, including wireframes and high-fidelity comps based on user-testing and feedback.
- Strategized a browser-based user experience and managed a team of developers (React, Redux, Node.js, MongoDB, AWS) to build a modern SaaS platform to remotely control Physical Web touchpoints.
- Designed and managed the development of native iOS and Android apps that included QR code scanning, reading NFC tags, and scanning for Bluetooth Beacons. Based on these apps, multiple white label versions were developed.
- Designed multiple iterations of identity, web, print packaging, investor presentations, sales support material/presentations, and user interface designs (responsive web and mobile apps) that provided continuity across the breadth of the brand.
- Designed physical hardware products (Bluetooth beacons) and worked with hardware engineering and production teams in the US and China regarding the external look and feel, as well as the internal electronic features and functions for each product.
Technologies: Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Lightroom, Webflow, Microsoft Office, Principle, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Keynote, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Advertising, Product Design, Graphic Design, Writing & Editing, Creative Direction, Logo Design, Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Adobe Experience Design (XD), Statistics, Analytics, Product Strategy, Brainstorming, UX Strategy, iOS App Design, Android App Design, App Design, Mobile UX, Mobile App UI, Facilitation, Art Direction, Sports, Education, K-12 Education, Early Childhood Education, Education Technology (Edtech), SaaS, SaaS Design, Enterprise SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Healthcare, Health & Wellness, Health IT, Health, Digital Health, Healthcare Management Systems, Wellness, Web Design, Web UX, Web App UX, Web UI, Web UI Design, Web Animation, UX Design, UI Design, iOS UI Design, Mobile UI, Mobile, iOS, Design Leadership, Web Platforms, Online Platform, Copywriting, Platform Design, Websites, Landing Page Design, Landing Pages, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Web Marketing, B2B, Branding, Illustration, Mobile Design, Brand Logos, UX Writing, Newsletter Design, Blog Posting
Contract Creative Director | Product Innovation
2012 - 2013
MōBLS
- Designed a comprehensive UX and UI strategy for RecruitTalk, a "LinkedIn equivalent for high school athletes." No small feat, the UX had to accommodate mismatched stats from multiple sports being administered by novice web/app users. bit.ly/cab-rt.
- Developed an easy-to-follow eCommerce user experience and enhanced brand for non-technical senior citizens to purchase hearing aids online. Included design, copywriting, photography, illustration, and development team management.
- Mentored entrepreneurs participating in jfs.co and ec.co accelerator programs, helping enhance product offerings, user experiences, and brand messaging for on-line, mobile, and offline retail products and services.
- Developed investor pitch deck for Zingfin that included copywriting, design, animation, and pitch coaching.
- Developed investor pitch deck for KaraoQ that included copywriting, design, animation, and pitch coaching, but absolutely no public singing.
Technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, Microsoft Office, Adobe Lightroom, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Advertising, Product Design, Graphic Design, Writing & Editing, Creative Direction, Logo Design, Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Adobe Premiere Pro, Analytics, Basketball, Sports, Coaching, Product Strategy, Brainstorming, UX Strategy, Facilitation, Art Direction, Education, K-12 Education, Education Technology (Edtech), SaaS, SaaS Design, Enterprise SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Healthcare, Health & Wellness, Health, Digital Health, Wellness, Web Design, Web UX, Web App UX, Web UI, Web UI Design, Web Animation, UI Design, iOS UI Design, Mobile UI, Mobile, iOS, UX Design, Design Leadership, Web Platforms, Online Platform, Copywriting, Platform Design, Websites, Landing Page Design, Landing Pages, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Web Marketing, B2B, Branding, Illustration, Mobile UX, Mobile Design, Brand Logos, UX Writing, Newsletter Design, Blog Posting
Founder | CEO | Creative Director
2001 - 2012
cabedge
- Founded and served as CEO and hands-on Creative Director for an interactive agency of designers, writers, developers, web strategists, and public relations strategists with yearly revenues averaging $1.5 million before selling the agency in 2012.
- Designed and developed branded user experiences for brands like Band-Aid, Cracker Barrel, ExxonMobil, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, The Washington Post, LEGO, National Geographic, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), among others.
- Recruited and led a team of talented designers and creative contributors to innovate and lead key email, banner advertising, and animation design trends for over a decade.
- Received more than 75 American Advertising Federation awards.
- Honored with more than 50 American Graphic Design awards.
- Won 5 AIGA CASE Awards (including 2 "Best Of..." awards).
- Awarded a Telly Award for the only video we ever produced.
- Featured twice in the Music City Future 50 Awards by the Nashville Business Journal.
- Named Nashville Business Journal's Best in Business for two consecutive years.
- Honored as one of the Best Places to Work from the Nashville Business Journal. By far, it was one of the most fulfilling awards I have ever received.
Technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Adobe Lightroom, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Advertising, Product Design, Graphic Design, Writing & Editing, Creative Direction, Logo Design, Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Analytics, Basketball, Sports, Coaching, Product Strategy, Brainstorming, UX Strategy, Facilitation, Art Direction, Education, K-12 Education, Early Childhood Education, Education Technology (Edtech), SaaS, SaaS Design, Enterprise SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), Healthcare, Health & Wellness, Health IT, Health, Digital Health, Healthcare Management Systems, Wellness, Web Design, Web UX, Web App UX, Web UI, Web UI Design, Web Animation, UI Design, iOS UI Design, Mobile UI, Mobile, iOS, UX Design, Design Leadership, Online Platform, Copywriting, Platform Design, Websites, Landing Page Design, Landing Pages, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Web Marketing, B2B, Branding, Illustration, Mobile UX, Mobile Design, Brand Logos, UX Writing, Newsletter Design, Blog Posting
Creative Director
2000 - 2001
Weberize
- Recruited and managed a team of top-tier designers.
- Innovated early web UX with enhanced interfaces using Flash. Yes, there were a few "skip intros," but it was a policy that we did not have "Flash for the sake of Flash" on any website. All animation was required to form that followed function.
- Managed a team of staff designers and project managers in Nashville, New York, and Cairo, Egypt.
Technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Advertising, Product Design, Graphic Design, Writing & Editing, Creative Direction, Logo Design, Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Analytics, Product Strategy, Brainstorming, UX Strategy, Facilitation, Art Direction, Education, K-12 Education, SaaS, SaaS Design, Enterprise SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Health & Wellness, Healthcare, Health, Digital Health, Wellness, Web Design, Web UX, Web App UX, Web UI, Web UI Design, Web Animation, UI Design, Mobile UI, iOS, UX Design, Design Leadership, Copywriting, Websites, Landing Page Design, Landing Pages, Web Marketing, B2B, Branding, Illustration, Brand Logos, UX Writing, Newsletter Design, Blog Posting
Partner | Creative Director
1995 - 1999
Edgenet Media
- Invented, designed, and managed the development of a unique "moderated chat" function for the Grand Ole Opry that allowed celebrities to chat with fans without fear of fans going rogue and exposing the Opry to certain legal liabilities.
- Created the first website for Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores and enhanced the webmaster's experience with an "Assisted responder" that allowed her to field questions faster and more accurately. The estimated ROI was well over $50,000 per year.
- Designed and managed the development of one of the first news aggregator sites on the internet. (Think Google News, but focused on regions of the US with custom summaries.) This tool became the foundation of one of the first CMSs on the internet.
- Sold the company to a New York investment firm in 2004.
Technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Advertising, Product Design, Graphic Design, Writing & Editing, Creative Direction, Logo Design, Design, Analytics, Product Strategy, Brainstorming, UX Strategy, Facilitation, Art Direction, Education, Early Childhood Education, SaaS, SaaS Design, Enterprise SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Healthcare, Health & Wellness, Health, Healthcare Management Systems, Wellness, Web Design, Web UX, Web App UX, Web UI, Web UI Design, Web Animation, UI Design, UX Design, Design Leadership, Copywriting, Platform Design, Websites, Landing Pages, Web Marketing, B2B, Branding, Illustration, Brand Logos, UX Writing, Newsletter Design
Art Director
1994 - 1995
Creative Syndicate
- Designed and managed the development of several of the first multimedia (print and CD-ROM) campaigns at the beginning of the rise and eventual boon of tourism in Nashville.
- Partnered with rocket scientists (literally) to win the very first website design and development contract for the State of Tennessee, which led to a merger of the two companies.
- Designed one of the first legitimate rock-star websites for John Kay and Steppenwolf.
Technologies: Adobe Photoshop, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Advertising, Graphic Design, Writing & Editing, Creative Direction, Logo Design, Design, Brainstorming, UX Strategy, Facilitation, Art Direction, SaaS Design, Software as a Service (SaaS), Web Design, Web UX, Web App UX, Web UI, Web UI Design, Web Animation, UX Design, Copywriting, Websites, B2B, Branding, Illustration, Brand Logos, Newsletter Design
Education
1988 - 1992
Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design
Western Kentucky University - Bowling Green, KY
Experience
Collaboration That Works
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