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Ricardo Romero
Verified Expert in Design
Designer
New York, NY, United States
Toptal member since March 31, 2021
Bio
Ricardo is a design leader with 15+ years of experience in product design, specializing in human-centered digital products and systems. He combines visual craft, UX research, prototyping, and product strategy to simplify complex customer and business needs. Ricardo has led teams, mentored designers, and collaborated with product, engineering, research, and senior stakeholders, using emerging technologies and AI-assisted workflows to enhance exploration, improve quality, and drive innovation.
Experience
- Visual Design - 14 years
- Web Design - 13 years
- UI Design - 13 years
- Responsive Design - 9 years
- Wireframing - 8 years
- UX Design - 8 years
- User-centered Design (UCD) - 5 years
- Prototyping - 4 years
Portfolio
Work Experience
Senior Manager UX
2025 - 2026
Hospitality
- Led experience design for Marriott's next-generation in-room Smart TV platform, creating a human-centered software experience designed for deployment across thousands of global properties.
- Translated guest needs and product requirements into user flows, interaction models, UI prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.
- Partnered with product, engineering, research, and operations to align design intent, technical feasibility, quality, timelines, and delivery across interconnected platform components.
Technologies: Figma, figmamak, Adobe, Lovable
Creative/Design Director
2022 - 2025
Deloitte Digital
- Led experience and product design across multimillion-dollar consulting engagements, combining human-centered design, visual craft, UX research, product strategy, and client leadership.
- Owned complex workstreams from planning and discovery through execution and delivery while guiding multidisciplinary teams, managing stakeholder expectations, and aligning design quality with business outcomes.
- Directed end-to-end experience design for Western Union's $10 million global digital transformation program, covering research, strategy, prototyping, high-fidelity UI, stakeholder alignment, planning, and global execution.
- Led and developed a team of 18 designers across the US, India, and Portugal, coaching and leveraging individual strengths, providing critique, and maintaining high-quality standards across workstreams.
- Selected to coach colleagues in UX program management and engineering, facilitating talent development, improving collaboration, and enhancing performance on complex enterprise projects.
Technologies: Figma, Adobe, Sketch, A/B Testing
Lead Designer
2017 - 2022
Razorfish
- Developed high-level design vision and direction, leveraging advanced knowledge of technology and user experience to deliver exceptional designs.
- Produced visual designs and supported implementation for Android and iOS.
- Rebuilt the existing product using a modular system, which optimized the development time.
Technologies: InVision, Sketch, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Figma, InVision Studio, Craft CMS, Adobe CC, Design Systems, UX Design, User Experience (UX), Graphic Design, Creative Thinking, Product Design, Pitch Decks, UX Prototyping, User Experience Design, Marketplace Design, UI Prototyping, Squarespace, Web UI Design, Wix, Design Optimization, Landing Page Design, MVP Design, Mobile App Design, Gamification, Business to Consumer (B2C), B2C, Component Design, Figma Component Library, Jira, Marketing, Responsive Web Design (RWD), UI Components, Web Components, Web UI, A/B Testing, Design Leadership, Leadership, WordPress, Mobile Design, Conversion, Landing Page Optimization, Landing Pages, B2B, Web, Mobile, Web UX Design, Storytelling, Design Thinking, Web App Design, UX Wireframes, Web App UI, Web App UX, High-fidelity Wireframes, User Journeys, Email Template Design, Website Design, Email, Email Design, Email Marketing, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Presentation Design, Presentations, Information Architecture (IA), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Component Libraries, Dashboards, Dashboard Design, Design Libraries, Consumer-facing Product Design, SaaS, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Usability, Social Media, Adobe Creative Suite, Mobile Apps, React Native, Design, Creative Direction, App Design, Apps, App UI, App UX, Digital Marketing Design, Webflow, Mailchimp
Graphic Designer
2004 - 2021
Image Factory
- Managed multiple projects from concept through to completion, working with both in-house resources and third-party vendors.
- Created graphic art and coordinated installations of stands.
- Interacted with clients and customers while covering the front desk.
Technologies: Adobe, Graphic Design, Creative Thinking, Marketplace Design, Branding, Business to Consumer (B2C), B2C, Conversion, B2B, Storytelling, Web App UI, Website Design, Presentation Design, Presentations, Dashboards, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Social Media, Adobe Creative Suite, Design, App Design, Digital Marketing Design
Senior Digital Art Director
2013 - 2016
Lopez Negrete Communications
- Led teams in the successful creation and production of digital solutions for assigned accounts.
- Created and communicated concepts that intrigued and inspired peers and clients, along with smart rationales to back them up.
- Designed comps, storyboards, initial graphic concepts, and final deliverables.
- Brainstormed and developed campaigns while working with clients on multiple projects at the same time.
- Collaborated and partnered with copywriters to ensure that copy and visuals were in perfect sync to make concepts as powerful, vivid, and compelling as possible.
- Assisted the creative director in improving the creative group’s technical and creative performance.
Technologies: Adobe CC, Art Direction, Graphic Design, Product Design, UX Prototyping, User Experience Design, Marketplace Design, UI Prototyping, Web UI Design, Branding, Landing Page Design, Gamification, Business to Consumer (B2C), B2C, Component Design, Marketing, Responsive Web Design (RWD), UI Components, Web Components, Web UI, A/B Testing, Design Leadership, Leadership, WordPress, Mobile Design, Conversion, Landing Page Optimization, Landing Pages, B2B, Web, Mobile, Web UX Design, Storytelling, Design Thinking, Web App Design, User Experience (UX), UX Wireframes, Web App UI, Web App UX, High-fidelity Wireframes, User Journeys, Email Template Design, Website Design, Email, Email Design, Email Marketing, Presentation Design, Presentations, Information Architecture (IA), Dashboards, Dashboard Design, Design Libraries, Usability, Social Media, Adobe Creative Suite, Mobile Apps, Design, Creative Direction, App Design, Digital Marketing Design, Webflow, Mailchimp
Senior Visual Designer
2012 - 2013
Astadia
- Led the creative/UX team in brainstorming creative concepts while reporting to the creative director and working alongside the account team.
- Applied advanced understanding of composition, color, typography, iconography, texture, photographic curation, and usability, to help users successfully navigate dynamic, multimedia experiences.
- Defined the visual direction of a project to shape and position ideas for customer impact.
- Applied best practices for human-centric design to common visual and usability challenges.
- Developed relationships across a project team, specifically with technical team members and software developers.
- Created adaptations of original designs for different devices, locales, and environments.
- Translated wireframes into highly detailed Photoshop files with pixel precision.
Technologies: Adobe CC, Human-centered Design (HCD), Adobe Photoshop, Graphic Design, Product Design, UX Prototyping, User Experience Design, Marketplace Design, UI Prototyping, Web UI Design, Branding, Landing Page Design, MVP Design, Business to Consumer (B2C), B2C, Component Design, Jira, Responsive Web Design (RWD), UI Components, Web Components, WordPress, Mobile Design, Conversion, Landing Page Optimization, Landing Pages, B2B, Web, Mobile, Web UX Design, Storytelling, Design Thinking, Web App Design, User Experience (UX), UX Wireframes, Web App UI, Web App UX, High-fidelity Wireframes, User Journeys, Website Design, Email Design, Presentation Design, Presentations, Component Libraries, Social Media, Mobile Apps, Design
Art Director
2011 - 2012
Media 3 Creative
- Created content and collaborated with creative and production teams to bring stories to life via multimedia and omnichannel approaches based on specific project briefs and timelines.
- Ensured brand and design consistency across client initiatives.
- Presented concepts and design treatments, storyboards, and completed work to internal and external clients.
Technologies: Adobe, Graphic Design, Product Design, Marketplace Design, Web UI Design, Branding, Landing Page Design, Business to Consumer (B2C), B2C, Marketing, Responsive Web Design (RWD), UI Components, Web Components, Web UI, Conversion, Landing Page Optimization, Landing Pages, B2B, Web, Mobile, Web UX Design, Storytelling, Design Thinking, Web App UI, Web App UX, High-fidelity Wireframes, Website Design, Email, Email Design, Email Marketing, Presentation Design, Presentations, Design, Digital Marketing Design
Visual Designer
2011 - 2012
Six Foot
- Collaborated with art directors and project teams to explore concepts and iterate layouts for responsive, design-focused projects.
- Translated wireframes into highly detailed Photoshop files with pixel precision.
- Created original designs, adhering to design principles and brand guidelines in established layouts.
- Adapted original designs for different devices, locales, and environments.
- Collaborated with developers to ensure that all visual elements and copy were pixel perfect.
- Leveraged proficiency in the formal elements of design, including typography, layout, balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis, and unity.
Technologies: Adobe, Adobe Photoshop, Graphic Design, Product Design, UX Prototyping, User Experience Design, UI Prototyping, Web UI Design, Branding, Landing Page Design, Business to Consumer (B2C), Component Design, Jira, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Web Components, Web UI, Design Leadership, Leadership, WordPress, Mobile Design, Landing Pages, B2B, Web, Mobile, Web UX Design, Storytelling, Design Thinking, Web App Design, User Experience (UX), UX Wireframes, Web App UI, Web App UX, High-fidelity Wireframes, User Journeys, Email Template Design, Website Design, Email, Email Design, Email Marketing, Presentation Design, Presentations, Information Architecture (IA), Dashboards, Design, Digital Marketing Design
Art Director
2009 - 2011
Rush Agency
- Developed creative ideas that met client and business objectives and maintained the company’s expected levels of creative excellence and professionalism.
- Ideated, crafted, and executed original and iconic creative concepts in response to client briefs, objectives, and/or goals.
- Managed multiple projects from concept through to completion, working with both in-house resources and third-party vendors.
Technologies: Adobe, Graphic Design, Marketplace Design, Business to Consumer (B2C), UI Components, Landing Pages, B2B, Presentation Design, Presentations, Dashboards, Design, Digital Marketing Design
Graphic Designer
2005 - 2007
Mall Marketing
- Reviewed and approved proofs of printed copy and art materials developed by staff members.
- Managed accounts and projects, always working within budget and scheduling requirements.
- Hired, trained, and managed staff members who developed design concepts into art layouts or prepared layouts for printing.
- Managed and coordinated a staff of graphic designers and ad installers and managed relationships with contractors.
Technologies: Adobe, Graphic Design, Marketplace Design, B2B, Presentation Design, Presentations, Dashboards, Design
Education
2000 - 2004
Associate Degree in Graphic Design
Antonio José de Sucre University Institute of Technology (IUTAJS) - Caracas, Venezuela
Certifications
FEBRUARY 2021 - PRESENT
User Centered Design Certification
Parsons School of Design - The New School
AUGUST 2013 - PRESENT
User Experience Design
Houston School of Advertising
FEBRUARY 2010 - PRESENT
Concepting Best Idea
Houston School of Advertising
Skills
Tools
Sketch, InVision, Adobe CC, Wix, Figma Component Library, Jira, Adobe Creative Suite, Mailchimp, Adobe Experience Design (XD), InVision Studio, Adobe, Adobe Photoshop, Figma Make
Platforms
Figma, Craft CMS, WordPress, Web, Mobile, Webflow, iOS, Android
Industry Expertise
Marketing, Banking & Finance, Education, Aircraft & Airlines
Other
UX Design, UI Design, Web Design, Responsive Design, Design Systems, Annotated Wireframes, Prototyping, User-centered Design (UCD), Art Direction, Creative Design, Creative Thinking, Visual Design, Interaction Design (IxD), Redesign, Banner Ads, User Interface (UI), Wireframing, User Experience (UX), Mobile Design, Human-centered Design (HCD), User Flows, CreativeJS, Graphic Design, Product Design, Creative Direction, Pitch Decks, Data Visualization, UX Prototyping, User Experience Design, Marketplace Design, UI Prototyping, Squarespace, Web UI Design, Branding, Landing Page Design, MVP Design, Mobile App Design, Business to Consumer (B2C), B2C, Component Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), UI Components, Web Components, Web UI, A/B Testing, Design Leadership, Leadership, Conversion, Landing Page Optimization, Landing Pages, B2B, Web UX Design, Storytelling, Design Thinking, Web App Design, UX Wireframes, Web App UI, Web App UX, High-fidelity Wireframes, User Journey Maps, User Journeys, Email Template Design, Website Design, Email, Email Design, Email Marketing, Presentation Design, Presentations, Component Libraries, Dashboards, Dashboard Design, Design Libraries, Consumer-facing Product Design, SaaS, Logo Design, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), User Research, Usability, Social Media, Mobile Apps, Rapid Prototyping, Design, App Design, Apps, App UI, App UX, Applications, Responsive UI, Digital Marketing Design, UX Research, Design Optimization, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Information Architecture (IA), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), React Native, User Testing, Energy, Sales, Tablet Design, Cars, Tires, Customer Journey, Gamification, figmamak, Lovable, Streaming
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