About Me

Devona

Creative Director 2012 Present

UX agency

• Founded and led a UX design agency focused on developing user-centric digital products for high-profile clients like Esmail Corp., Glenstone Museum, and Stoli.
• Drove the strategy, design, animation and development for complex digital projects like the creation of a visual system for a large-scale ARG integrated campaign, a high-volume ad-serving platform delivering 1M+ daily impressions and an interactive tool for investor presentations, emphasizing sophisticated branding, seamless UX, and scalable performance.
• Conducted extensive design research, UX evaluations and usability testing across mobile and desktop and web applications, optimizing design to ensure designs met client expectations, drove engagement and supported the client’s goals.
• Led cross-functional teams of up to 20 members in Agile environments, collaborating closely with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to deliver high-impact solutions.

GrantLeff

Creative Technologist 2024 2025

Start Up

• Directed the end-to-end strategy, design, and development of Grant Leff’s AI integrated flagship product, prioritizing intuitive user journeys, simplifying complex workflows for non-technical users, and maintaining product consistency through meticulous UI/UX design.
• Created the technical infrastructure of the company around the collaboration of LLM content generation and human verification in order to exponentially increase productivity without reducing quality or accuracy.

Level All

Director of Visual Design/Technology 2021 2022

Start Up

• Led the design, development, and deployment of a scalable platform for LevelAll, optimizing creative production workflows and eliminating recurring bottlenecks.
• Created a cross-functional management system that forced collaboration among various departments to ensure technical feasibility and alignment of goals.

Make It Red

Technical Director 2016 2020

Start Up

• Created and oversaw the engineering department of a digital agency coordinated across 3 countries.
• Spearheaded development, deployment and monitoring of digital campaigns, social campaigns and online games for internal projects and clients including Prezzo, Bi-Pride UK and Netflix.
• Conducted in-depth UX evaluations, usability testing, and iterative development cycles to enhance engagement and support business growth.
• Collaborated with partners and clients in Agile environments to deliver complex digital products that emphasize both frontend and backend scalability.

WeChi

Creative Director 2011 2012

Start Up

• Designed a response-driven social networking platform, that used an intuitive visual interface to ingest emotional metrics, with a back end optimized for high availability and responsive frontend interactions.
• Worked closely with stakeholders and investors to develop an emotionally engaging brand identity that aligned with user needs and business objectives.
• Partnered with engineering to drive the technical strategy, aligning product architecture with business goals and user needs.

BBDO Worldwide

Art Director 2009 2011

Advertising Agency

• Led digital product design for Fortune 500 clients such as FedEx, developing creative concepts, UI/UX design, and implementing cross-platform campaigns.
• Developed high-impact, responsive print, digital and social campaigns for top brands like Snickers, enhancing customer perception and brand recognition through responsive across digital, print, and video marketing channels platforms.
• Worked with clients and cross-functional teams across pre-production, production, and post-production to launch interactive campaigns that drove customer engagement and business growth.

Deep Focus

Senior Art Director 2007 2009

Digital Marketing Agency

• Directed the design of digital campaigns, social media campaigns, websites, and engagement tools for clients including Nike, HBO, and the Ad Council, increasing brand visibility and user interaction.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to prototype, test, and iterate design concepts, ensuring the final products met brand messaging and user expectations.

R/GA

Designer 2003 2006

Interactive Agency

• Created visual designs for digital campaigns and websites for clients like Verizon and Target, focusing on increasing user interaction and improving brand perception.
• Worked alongside multidisciplinary teams to iterate on design features and ensure alignment with both user needs and client objectives.

Haus Interactive (The Big Ass Hat)

Co-Founder 2001 2002

Server & Hosting Company

• Co-founded and operated a boutique server and hosting company providing reliable infrastructure for creative agencies, startups, and content-heavy digital projects during the early web era.
• Designed and managed server architecture, deployment workflows, and uptime monitoring to support high-traffic websites, interactive campaigns, and database-driven applications.
• Partnered directly with designers and developers to translate creative and technical requirements into stable, scalable hosting solutions, bridging the gap between creative intent and technical execution.
• Oversaw client onboarding, systems configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting, ensuring performance, security, and reliability across multiple environments.
• Gained early hands-on experience with backend systems, networking, and operations—laying the technical foundation for later leadership roles spanning UX, product design, and engineering strategy.

EPVA (Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association)

Designer 2001 2002

Non-Profit Organization

• Designed educational print materials for paralyzed veterans, including a monthly newsletter, a 300-page handbook, and outreach publications focused on public awareness and compliance with federal disability laws.
• Developed accessible visual formats to communicate complex information about ADA guidelines, veterans’ rights, and available government resources.
• Applied inclusive design principles to support the needs of readers with a range of physical and cognitive disabilities, ensuring usability and clarity.
• Collaborated with the Creative Director to align all materials with the organization’s public service mission and informational objectives.

92nd St Y

Designer 2000 2001

Cultural and Community Center

• Designed and produced print materials—including concert posters, event flyers, and a 200-page annual course catalog—promoting public arts, cultural, and educational programming.
• Managed prepress and press checks to ensure high-quality, on-brand communication across all community-facing materials.
• Supported the design needs of five internal departments within a large nonprofit institution, helping to unify messaging for a diverse audience of New Yorkers.
• Contributed to the visual identity of one of NYC’s leading cultural and community centers, ensuring accessibility and clarity across print deliverables for public engagement.

DesignWorks

Designer 1998 1999

Design Agency

• Designed and produced print materials—including commencement materials posters, event flyers, and annual reports.
• Managed prepress and press checks to ensure high-quality, on-brand communication across all community-facing materials.
• Supported the design needs of various clients including Fraser, and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Freelance

Designer/Art Director 1999 Present

Notable clients include:

• J. Walter Thompson
• Pentagram
• Hill Holiday
• KBS (Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal + partners)
• Sotheby's
• Mother
• Safety Director
• Heady