James Ferguson

Head of Product Design @Freelance, self-employed

United KingdomPresentation DesignerCustomer Researcher🧨 ConsultingFitness CoachSport Fan🔥 Startup Founder💸 Marketing✔️ IT📝 Influencer or Blogger🐦 Design🎥 Entertainment🧮 Education🏐 SportsCopywriterCreative ProducerUX/UI DesignerProduct DesignerGraphic DesignerCommunication DesignerBrand DesignerProduct ManagerProject ManagerTutorResearcherFounderProduct ConsultantSport ManagerCoachAthlete

I have been fortunate enough to work in some exciting startups across ecommerce, proptech and adtech. Following this experience, I attempted to bring an ambitious InsurTech x WellTech startup to market. I was able to hire a small, yet talented team, establish key partnerships, raised £50k investment, worked on the project full time for 12 months and joined the Google Startups Program. I’m a multi-award winning Product Designer by trade focusing on effective, efficient, simplicity. Design wasn’t just a job for me, it was a way of life and a topic that I have enthusiastically spoken about at a number of events and conferences. “I didn’t choose the UX life…” I have over 5 years of experience in sales and marketing and 12 in design, and my experience ranges from working with start-ups to SMEs and large international enterprises. This combination has enabled me to develop the skills to not only be able to conceptualise new ideas, but to communicate them effectively (and with commercial focus) to gain stakeholder buy-in. I am happy to roll my sleeves up day-to-day, and thrive when collaborating and driving long term improvement. I think at a strategic level and seek ways to integrate commercial objectives with unique opportunities, resulting in excellent ROI wins!

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Work Background

Ortē LifeCo-Founder

Mar. 2023United Kingdom · Hybrid

VidsyHead of Product Design

Jan. 2022 - Jan. 2024

DesignlabMentor

Jul. 2019 - Jan. 2024Manchester, United Kingdom

ResidentlyHead of UX

Jan. 2020 - Feb. 2022Manchester, United Kingdom• Responsible for all UX function across the organisation. • Developed UX research strategy. • Supported in organisation rebrand (due July 2021). • Contributed towards the setup and ongoing delivery of OKRs. • Delivery of functional, forward facing design system.

MoonpigLead Product Designer

Oct. 2019 - Jan. 2020Manchester, United Kingdom

On the BeachLead UX Designer

Nov. 2018 - Oct. 2019Manchester, United Kingdom• Introduced Design Thinking process company wide. • Tripled size of UX team (3-9). • Mentored, coached and managed researchers, UX designers, brand designers and content writters. • Hired and implemented UX Research team. • Took UX at company from low to high maturity - NN/g scale. • Created and evolved company UX strategy. • Initiated and delivered Design System for design & dev. • Introduced Guerrilla Testing. • Hosted Manchester Digital Futures workshops. • Introduced Design Sprints to further innovation & discovery. • Built cross team relationships with key stakeholders - development, product, marketing, content, data, legal. • Lead a cross functional team to deliver new checkout experience resulting in +£5m profit margin. • Shortlisted as a “Leader and Champion of Design” at InsideOut Awards, London.

On the BeachSenior UX Designer

Jan. 2018 - Nov. 2018

Lesniak SwannUX/UI Designer

Sep. 2016 - Mar. 2018Manchester, United KingdomDigital designer focused on great user experience and engaging visual interactions. Design is always brilliant if it looks great, but completely useless if it isn't useable, comfortable or meaningful. Using a user centred approach, I provide solutions to digital problems that promote the client's key messages and purpose. A great user experience is the first step in solving problems. Great aesthetics comes next and finally conversion rate optimisation is key to strategic growth and continued success.

Borne AgencyProduct Designer

Jun. 2015 - Sep. 2016London, United KingdomBorne is a different kind of digital agency. We are a mobile first digital agency. A creative and strategic company developing mobile apps, websites and digital products in London. We work with early stage start ups to help them with their branding, strategy and designs right through to the finished product. We also work with a select few corporate clients to assist them with their digital roadmap.

Freelance DesignerUX/UI Designer

Jan. 2014 - Jun. 2015

Science in SportField Sales Executive

Mar. 2014 - Apr. 2015North England• Tour de France brand planning and execution • Ensuring successful delivery of brand promotions to ensure key growth targets met • New Business - retail and online • Brand marketing through local and national events • Account management • Territory strategy planning

On Track FitnessOwner

Jan. 2013 - Apr. 2015SheffieldThere is no greater pleasure than helping people achieve their goals and give them back the confidence they may have lost, or the self-belief to go on and achieve more than they ever thought capable. I set On Track Fitness up to mentor, coach and show people that they have the power to change their bodies in any way possible. Dedication, commitment and sheer hard work (often blood sweat and tears) is all it takes. I have achieved unbelievable results with clients, transforming their appearance and lifestyle to live longer, happier, healthier and more active lives.