Always
Always
Always
Always
Intuitive
Intuitive
Intuitive
Intuitive
Lead Designer, shaping human-centered digital experiences for automotive and future-MINDED products.
Lead Designer, shaping human-centered digital experiences for automotive and future-MINDED products.
Lead Experience Designer, shaping human-centered digital experiences for automotive and future-MINDED products.
BASED IN Detroit, Michigan
Different Inputs,
Better Outputs.
WHO AM I?
I’m a futurist and creative leader specializing in UX/UI, web design, and art direction, based in Metro Detroit. I lead teams from insight to execution by setting vision, aligning stakeholders, and turning ambiguity into clear, human-centered experiences that balance strategy with craft. Through research, trend-spotting, and sharp creative direction, I translate customer needs into design systems, interfaces, and narratives that look great, work beautifully, and drive real impact. I connect the dots between consumer, content, and commerce by building momentum across disciplines and helping brands make the most impact. From scrappy startups to global organizations, I’ve guided cross-functional teams to ship standout digital experiences, strengthen brand presence, and in many cases, help companies become household names.
WHO AM I?
I’m a futurist and creative leader specializing in UX/UI, web design, and art direction, based in Metro Detroit. I lead teams from insight to execution by setting vision, aligning stakeholders, and turning ambiguity into clear, human-centered experiences that balance strategy with craft. Through research, trend-spotting, and sharp creative direction, I translate customer needs into design systems, interfaces, and narratives that look great, work beautifully, and drive real impact. I connect the dots between consumer, content, and commerce by building momentum across disciplines and helping brands make the most impact. From scrappy startups to global organizations, I’ve guided cross-functional teams to ship standout digital experiences, strengthen brand presence, and in many cases, help companies become household names.
WHO AM I?
I’m a futurist and creative leader specializing in UX/UI, web design, and art direction, based in Metro Detroit. I lead teams from insight to execution by setting vision, aligning stakeholders, and turning ambiguity into clear, human-centered experiences that balance strategy with craft. Through research, trend-spotting, and sharp creative direction, I translate customer needs into design systems, interfaces, and narratives that look great, work beautifully, and drive real impact. I connect the dots between consumer, content, and commerce by building momentum across disciplines and helping brands turn insight into growth. From scrappy startups to global organizations, I’ve guided cross-functional teams to ship standout digital experiences, strengthen brand presence, and in many cases, help companies become household names.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Human Centered Design, UX Design, UI Design, Art Direction, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Advertising, Photography, Retouching, Illustration, Videography & Animation, Presentation Design
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Human Centered Design, UX Design, UI Design, Art Direction, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Advertising, Photography, Retouching, Illustration, Videography & Animation, Presentation Design
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Human Centered Design, UX Design, UI Design, Art Direction, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Advertising, Photography, Retouching, Illustration, Videography & Animation, Presentation Design
FEATURED Work
Featured Work
FEATURED Work
I create bold products that feel effortless from the first touch. Every detail is designed to be intuitive, so it never needs instructions.
I create bold products that feel effortless from the first touch. Every detail is designed to be intuitive, so it never needs instructions.
I create bold products that feel effortless from the first touch. Every detail is designed to be intuitive, so it never needs instructions.
UX Design
Lincoln Panoramic Steering Wheel UX Design
UX Design
Lincoln Panoramic Steering Wheel UX Design
UX Design
Lincoln Panoramic Steering Wheel UX Design
Dealer Meeting Design
Kawasaki Unleashed Dealer Meeting
Dealer Meeting Design
Kawasaki Unleashed Dealer Meeting
Dealer Meeting Design
Kawasaki Unleashed Dealer Meeting
Digital Experiences
Car-as-the-Dealership Digital Experience
Digital Experiences
Car-as-the-Dealership Digital Experience
Digital Experiences
Car-as-the-Dealership Digital Experience
Restaurant Design
Brera Pizza and Salad
Restaurant Design
Brera Pizza and Salad
Restaurant Design
Brera Pizza and Salad
School and the Real world
In September 2000, I left Wisconsin for Detroit to learn how to be a designer, never expecting the Motor City would become home. I studied at the College for Creative Studies, earning a degree in Communication Design with a minor in Product Design, and I’ve been combining both ever since, blending storytelling and visual craft with systems thinking and functional problem-solving. After graduation, the real education began, learning how to translate ideas into results across industries, from restaurant environments and brand identity to web design, digital experiences, and product-focused interaction design.
School and the Real world
In September 2000, I left Wisconsin for Detroit to learn how to be a designer, never expecting the Motor City would become home. I studied at the College for Creative Studies, earning a degree in Communication Design with a minor in Product Design, and I’ve been combining both ever since, blending storytelling and visual craft with systems thinking and functional problem-solving. After graduation, the real education began, learning how to translate ideas into results across industries, from restaurant environments and brand identity to web design, digital experiences, and product-focused interaction design.
School and the Real world
In September 2000, I left Wisconsin for Detroit to learn how to be a designer, never expecting the Motor City would become home. I studied at the College for Creative Studies, earning a degree in Communication Design with a minor in Product Design, and I’ve been combining both ever since, blending storytelling and visual craft with systems thinking and functional problem-solving. After graduation, the real education began, learning how to translate ideas into results across industries, from restaurant environments and brand identity to web design, digital experiences, and product-focused interaction design.
Chapters of My Career
I’ve had the chance to leave my mark on meaningful work across environments, brands, and digital products. After a handful of early design roles, I became a part owner at HUI Design Group in Dearborn, Michigan, where we built restaurant brands from the ground up and designed spaces across the Great Lakes State. After years of the always-on pace that comes with running a studio, I joined Moncur and sharpened my craft designing large-scale websites for brands like Lear, Amerikooler, and Ilmor, while continuing to freelance with other design teams. Along the way, I helped multiple firms win pitches, including the Walsh College brand refresh and Kawasaki dealer meeting show build-out. From there, I moved to Ford, where I found my stride in the FordPass Innovation team and later became Innovation Lead for Team Aspire, creating in-vehicle digital experiences for stationary moments and travel. After getting laid off in 2022, I co-founded Dodo Tees with my wife, expanded my print and illustration skills, and kept building creative momentum in a new medium. Now, I’m ready to bring that same energy back to a forward-thinking organization and lead a strong team that wants to do meaningful work.
Chapters of My Career
I’ve had the chance to leave my mark on meaningful work across environments, brands, and digital products. After a handful of early design roles, I became a part owner at HUI Design Group in Dearborn, Michigan, where we built restaurant brands from the ground up and designed spaces across the Great Lakes State. After years of the always-on pace that comes with running a studio, I joined Moncur and sharpened my craft designing large-scale websites for brands like Lear, Amerikooler, and Ilmor, while continuing to freelance with other design teams. Along the way, I helped multiple firms win pitches, including the Walsh College brand refresh and Kawasaki dealer meeting show build-out. From there, I moved to Ford, where I found my stride in the FordPass Innovation team and later became Innovation Lead for Team Aspire, creating in-vehicle digital experiences for stationary moments and travel. After getting laid off in 2022, I co-founded Dodo Tees with my wife, expanded my print and illustration skills, and kept building creative momentum in a new medium. Now, I’m ready to bring that same energy back to a forward-thinking organization and lead a strong team that wants to do meaningful work.
Chapters of My Career
I’ve had the chance to leave my mark on meaningful work across environments, brands, and digital products. After a handful of early design roles, I became a part owner at HUI Design Group in Dearborn, Michigan, where we built restaurant brands from the ground up and designed spaces across the Great Lakes State. After years of the always-on pace that comes with running a studio, I joined Moncur and sharpened my craft designing large-scale websites for brands like Lear, Amerikooler, and Ilmor, while continuing to freelance with other design teams. Along the way, I helped multiple firms win pitches, including the Walsh College brand refresh and Kawasaki trade show buid-out. In 2018, I began working at Ford, where I found my stride in the FordPass Innovation team and later became Innovation Lead for Team Aspire, creating in-vehicle digital experiences for stationary moments and travel. After getting laid off in 2022 role transition, I co-founded Dodo Tees with my wife, expanded my print and illustration skills, and kept building creative momentum in a new medium. Now, I’m ready to bring that same energy back and lead a strong team that wants to do meaningful work.
Hello, I'm Clay
Hello, I'm Clay
Hello, I'm Clay
