Certificate in Innovation and Creativity

Design Systems Blueprint: Comprehensive Strategies for Success

Certficate in Innovation and Creativity

Graphic Communications

B.A. in Graphic Communications

• Provide strategic recommendations, solving complex business problems, and delivering measured results for organizations and their users
• Specialize in crafting high-impact user experiences and applications for small businesses and larger corporations

Projects include:

Fuego UX • 03/2022 – 01/2023
• Managed a team of designers, performed and synthesized research into actionable recommendations, and designed two experiences addressing major pain points for Beeline, a vendor management system company
• Delivered two MVP clickable prototypes for user validation and testing in Q2 of 2023

Treuth, PBC • 01/2020 – Present (Ongoing advisor)
• Lead design efforts to understand user needs and translate them into experiences that empower major retailers with tools and technology to combat organized crime
• Advise on the product roadmap, help prioritize functionality, and set the vision for building experiences across mobile and desktop environments

Toast and Roast • 05/2021 – 05/2022
• Led 

Product Designer - Founder

Oversee design and operations of a personal + home fragrance studio. Also manage personnel and the production of our small-batch, premium fragrances and goods. Acquired by Commonwealth Provisions.

Founder

Freelance Visual/UI Designer

MobileFirst for iOS  + IBM partnership. 

As a designer, I have worked extensively on mobile enterprise solutions for healthcare, industrial and chemical products, education, consumer products and insurance. These iPhone, iPad and Watch apps have leveraged IBM's data capabilities and analytics with Apple's focus on design and the user.

Working in an Agile environment, the process often entails executing design thinking workshops using IBM or Apple design methodologies, research, conceptualization, wireframing, prototyping, designing and leading other designers, POCs, presenting and selling ideas as well as working alongside the client, iterating, creating design languages, etc. 

Every project is different but I have delivered engaging, compelling solutions that have transformed the way our client's users work in their space. 

I've also been able to add value through design mentorship as well as community involvement with local and IBM-sponsored schools.

iOS User Experience Designer, Apple + IBM

As an instructor for Kansas State University, NJIT, University of Miami and UW-Madison, I lead online courses and teach all aspects of user experience and interface design to individuals looking to switch careers and enter the field. 

Courses included fundamentals of design, color theory, typography, grids and layouts, software tools, presenting design and portfolio preparation. Online courses were highly interactive and included lectures as well as hands-on sessions where students worked on a wide range of projects in preparation for entering the job market.

Lead Instructor - UI/UX Design

Lead UI/UX Designer

Mobile User Experience Designer, North America Mobile & XR

• Design of online advertising compaigns for Top 100 Internet Retail clients; work to align campaigns with internal client development’s business strategies in providing substantial incremental lifts in conversion rates 
• Partner with Account Managers and Account Development Directors to deliver online incremental lifts by optimizing creative via A/B, Multivariate testing and message sequencing 
• Coordination of studio resources between graphic designers and Flash developers to deliver highly relevant advertising to client’s target audience 
• Successful implementation of creative portal to promote sharing of resources, encourage creative discussions and foster conceptual thinking 
• Design and execution of creative presentations for clients across different verticals 
• Design of pitches and presentations for potential clients

Graphic Designer

Part of an award-winning team providing strategic and creative services to leading brands in the travel, retail, B2B and wireless internet service industries

Oversee and orchestrate creative efforts among project managers, designers, copywriters, creative coordinators and HTML coders to ensure client’s program objectives are successful in engaging their audience and maximizing revenue

Prototype, wireframe and design of a mobile site for the Responsys Interact 2012 conference; mobile site provided easy, on-the-go access to conference info to more than 1000 attendees made up of clients and prospects

Design and implementation of a creative portal to encourage and foster creativity among creatives

Art Director

Design of logo, website, promotional and collateral materials for JC Thomas Marketing, WAM Asian Grill, Cutting Image Salon

Creative Director/Designer

Design of logo, website and collateral marketing material for the marketing boutique firm Moka Marketing

Creative consultant for Moka Marketing's clients; provided design and marketing solutions that resulted in local business growth

Freelance Graphic Designer

Design and production of ads, brochures, packaging for clients including Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises; New West Realty and Terrapin Properties

Design and production of school materials

Image retouching and production for FTD's website

Design and production of ads, collateral and marketing for real estate clients including New West Realty, Terrapin Properties, Lennar Homes and Joseph Freedman.

Design and production of small, medium and large format displays and promotional material for The Home Depot

Production of direct mail packages for Capital One and Advanta

Design and production of packaging, collateral and marketing material for local and national clients such as CSC and Fellowes.

Successful implementation of new brand standards throughout marketing and collateral material.

VP, Lead Product Designer

Product Designer | Educator & Entrepreneur | Leading Teams & Delivering Innovative, User-Centered Design Solutions

Know about Rafael J. Hernandez's work experience, education, bootcamps, certifications, and much more. Rafael J. Hernandez