Publication
AI in Design: Experts Discuss Practical Applications, Ethics, and What’s Coming Next
https://www.toptal.com/designers/artificial-intelligence/ai-ethics-in-design
Darrell is available for hire
Hire DarrellDarrell Estabrook
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
Richmond, VA, United States
Toptal member since January 5, 2019
Bio
Darrell has 30 years of experience designing engaging and productive apps for customers and business employees. He's led the design for a mobile enterprise app that replaced a legacy, paper-based process for a national auto retailer. Darrell specializes in turning big-picture thinking into practical visual experiences. His creative, purpose-driven design approach helps business leaders realize their vision.
Experience
- Web App Design - 20 years
- Design Systems - 20 years
- Product Design - 20 years
- UI Design - 20 years
- Enterprise Application Design - 20 years
- Design Leadership - 20 years
- Enterprise Design - 20 years
- Agile UX - 15 years
Portfolio
Genworth iOS App, Website, and Branding
iOS App DesignUX DesignUI DesignResponsive Web Design (RWD)Content Management Systems (CMS)User Experience (UX)+ 14 more
Work Experience
Principle UX Product Designer
2023 - 2025
Cigna
- Led the creation of a design system for an ecosystem of 26+ internal productivity apps for a team of 13 designers. Increased UX consistency and decreased design time for prototyping and feature design.
- Planned and established team norms and work cadences for the design system, built Figma library components, and created comprehensive documentation, demos, and designer training. Additionally, I managed weekly library updates and publishing.
- Mentored six UX designers in weekly one-on-one professional development and design reviews throughout the year. Designers achieved professional development goals sooner than anticipated for the year.
- Led the design of three software applications within the ecosystem, oversaw stakeholder meetings and UX design, and collaborated with Agile teams. This ensured focused requirements gathering, expanded design options, and high-quality implementation.
Technologies: Accessibility, Agile Software Development, Web App Design, Enterprise Design, Design Systems, Figma, Prototyping, UX Prototyping, B2B, Design Reviews, UX Audits, User Journey Maps, User Stories, UX Leadership, UI Research, User Experience Design, User Experience Strategy, UX Research, UX Management, Data-heavy Design, Feature Analysis, Information Architecture (IA), Information Design, Qualitative Research, Rapid Prototyping, Remote User Testing, User Interviews, User Research, Wireframing, Usability Analysis, Agile, Design Workshops, Low-code Development, Personas, User Journeys, User Personas, Web App UX, Enterprise SaaS, High-fidelity Prototypes, Interactive Prototypes, Low-fidelity Prototypes, Component Libraries, High-fidelity Mockups, High-fidelity Wireframes, Visual Design
Principle UX Product Designer
2020 - 2022
IBM
- Reimagined the mobile experience for IBM Maximo, an app for field technicians and inspectors used globally in commercial, industrial, and remote settings. Worked with IBM's VP executives in product and design to establish a vision.
- Created an all-new IBM mobile design system making UX efficient and effective in rugged environments. Balanced technical data presented in an easy-to-read tablet and phone experience.
- Led various IBM designers working on multiple products through regular team and one-on-one critique sessions to strengthen individual skills and overall product suite usability.
- Won the 2021 Gold Spark Design Award for product design, with the app being recognized for its ability to provide workers with help or assistance, even in harsh environments.
Technologies: Prototyping, UX Design, Design Systems, Enterprise, Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), UI Design, UX Strategy, Agile Software Development, Figma, Enterprise Application Design, Typography, Web Dashboards, Cross-platform UX, Internet of Things (IoT), Form Design, Visualization Design, Design Strategy, Responsive UX Design, SaaS, Communication, Data Visualization, Dashboards, Collaborative Design, Design Leadership, Web App Design, Enterprise Design, SaaS Design, Accessibility, B2B, Design Reviews, UX Audits, User Journey Maps, User Stories, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), UX Leadership, UI Research, User Experience Design, User Experience Strategy, UX Research, UX Management, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data-heavy Design, Feature Analysis, Information Architecture (IA), Information Design, Qualitative Research, Rapid Prototyping, Remote User Testing, User Interviews, User Research, Wireframing, User Testing, Usability Analysis, Agile, Design Workshops, Personas, User Journeys, User Personas, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Web App UX, Enterprise SaaS, High-fidelity Prototypes, Interactive Prototypes, Low-fidelity Prototypes, Component Libraries, High-fidelity Mockups, High-fidelity Wireframes, Visual Design
UX Product Design Lead | UX Product Design Team Manager
1999 - 2018
SingleStone
- Designed an enterprise productivity app to replace a paper-based process for a national auto retailer's 150 locations. This removed data entry errors and increased the number of vehicles processed.
- Crafted a mobile experience for state-wide energy customers to monitor their home energy usage and lower energy production loads.
- Created an enterprise dashboard design for the executives of a national insurance company. This increased the timeliness of reporting and increased the visibility of critical metrics.
- Designed a dashboard and research tool for financial brokers for a national financial modeling company. This increased visibility in new content and decreased time to find relevant content.
- Crafted a content management system of templates to support a 600-page website for a regional North Carolina hospital network. This reduced broken links and increased the speed at which patients could find content.
- Designed a grade-entry system for statewide elementary teachers. This reduced data entry errors and teacher time to input data.
- Grew, managed, and developed the experience design team for four years.
Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite, Agile UX, Portal Design, Design Thinking, Enterprise Application Design, Product Design, Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), UI Design, UX Strategy, Prototyping, Agile Software Development, Presentation Design, Web, Enterprise, Typography, Web Dashboards, Cross-platform UX, Internet of Things (IoT), Form Design, Visualization Design, Design Strategy, Responsive UX Design, SaaS, Communication, UX Design, Data Visualization, Dashboards, Collaborative Design, Design Leadership, Web App Design, Enterprise Design, SaaS Design, Accessibility, B2B, Design Reviews, UX Audits, User Journey Maps, User Stories, UX Leadership, UI Research, User Experience Design, User Experience Strategy, UX Research, UX Management, Data-heavy Design, Feature Analysis, Information Architecture (IA), Information Design, Qualitative Research, Rapid Prototyping, Remote User Testing, User Interviews, User Research, Wireframing, User Testing, Usability Analysis, Agile, Design Workshops, Low-code Development, Personas, User Journeys, User Personas, Web App UX, Enterprise SaaS, High-fidelity Prototypes, Interactive Prototypes, Low-fidelity Prototypes, SharePoint, Component Libraries, High-fidelity Mockups, High-fidelity Wireframes, Visual Design
Web Design Specialist
1998 - 1999
CSX Corporation
- Redesigned the main corporate website for CSX.com and served as a primary means of press release information for corporate communications.
- Designed several custom websites for the company's specialty lines of business, including intermodal and Alaskan pipeline.
- Contributed to corporate communications pieces such as press releases, annual reports, and time-sensitive web pages.
Technologies: Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), UI Design, Web, Communication, UX Design, Collaborative Design, Design Leadership, Web App Design, Enterprise Design, SaaS Design, Design Reviews, UX Audits, User Journey Maps, User Experience Design, User Experience Strategy, UX Research, Information Architecture (IA), Information Design, User Interviews, Wireframing, Visual Design
Web Designer
1996 - 1997
Vanguard Information Group
- Designed a regional monthly coupon service website. My efforts included UX design, interface design, and development using Microsoft Active Server Pages and monthly content updates.
- Designed animated banner advertisements for small businesses.
- Designed all company branding and promotional material.
Technologies: UI Design, Web, Communication, UX Design, Collaborative Design, Design Leadership, User Experience Design, UX Research, Information Architecture (IA), Wireframing, Visual Design
Other Experience
Education
1992 - 1996
Bachelor's Degree in Management Information Systems
Ambassador University - Big Sandy, TX, USA
Skills
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite, Zeplin
Industry Expertise
Insurance, Automotive
Platforms
Figma, Web, Mobile, SharePoint
Other
Whiteboarding, Financial Systems, Productivity, Financial Design, Executive Presentations, Design Systems, Dashboards, B2B, Product Design, Design Thinking, Design Strategy, UI Design, UX Strategy, Visualization Design, Typography, Presentation Design, Agile UX, Agile Software Development, Enterprise Application Design, Dashboard Design, Prototyping, User Flows, Desktop App Design, Mobile App Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Data Visualization, Form Design, Responsive UX Design, UX Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Complex Application User Interfaces (UI), Enterprise, Cross-platform UX, Communication, Collaborative Design, Design Leadership, Enterprise Design, MVP Design, SaaS Design, Web App Design, Design Reviews, UX Audits, User Journey Maps, User Stories, UX Leadership, UI Research, User Experience Design, User Experience Strategy, UX Research, UX Management, Data-heavy Design, Feature Analysis, Information Architecture (IA), Information Design, Qualitative Research, Rapid Prototyping, Remote User Testing, User Interviews, User Research, Wireframing, Usability Analysis, Agile, Design Workshops, Low-code Development, Personas, User Journeys, User Personas, Web App UX, Enterprise SaaS, High-fidelity Prototypes, Interactive Prototypes, Low-fidelity Prototypes, Component Libraries, High-fidelity Mockups, High-fidelity Wireframes, Visual Design, Creative Direction, Portal Design, Fintech, Ideation Workshops, User Testing, SaaS, iOS App Design, Internet of Things (IoT), Data-informed Visual Design, Information Systems, Accessibility, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Energy, Web Dashboards, Interaction Design (IxD), Content Management Systems (CMS), App Design, UX Prototyping
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