Chris Wallace

Design Principal

I’m a design executive and founder with two decades of experience scaling teams, shaping product strategy, and delivering award-winning digital experiences.

My work

About

Fractional Design Leadership

Email me

Design is the creation of value on a product, in a product, that doesn't have to do with the actual raw materials. It is an extra value add that is a result of a lot of thinking, making, and iterating, so that those raw materials are now 10x more valuable.

John Maeda

My Approach

I design from first principles, questioning everything: systems, processes, decisions, tradeoffs, tech challenges, and business needs. This helps me deeply understand the problem space and champion direct and positive change the best way I can. Sometimes the right approach is the shortest path and sometimes it’s the longer, more trustworthy one. I learn how users think to provide them what they need at every step of their journey.

Leadership

I lead with empathy and push for constant improvement and better outcomes. I take the time to understand people, manage to their strengths and weaknesses, and am clear about expectations and accountability. Support without standards is empty. Standards without support burn teams out. I try to operate in the space where both exist and value gets shipped.

Experience

I’ve been a hands-on agency executive, which meant leading design strategy, creative direction, UX, visual, brand, and motion for Fortune 500 companies. I’ve worked in tech with brands like Facebook, Google, Starbucks, and Microsoft, and I’ve led the creation of award-winning digital products for the biggest gaming and entertainment brands in the world: The Walking Dead, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Roblox, MLB, DC Comics, and more.

My biggest win

Redesigning the California DMV during the COVID-19 pandemic. My superteam of 15+ designers embarked on a massive undertaking to bring critical services online for 1 in 9 U. S. drivers. We performed design research, content strategy, a brand and visual overhaul, and a series of mini-apps for users. Ultimately, we delivered an award-winning website under budget that was met with heaps of praise from California drivers.

I love working with Chris. He has the rare mix of design instincts and technical ability that makes him incredibly effective. We tackled several major redesigns together, and each time, I was impressed by how he could spot the core user flows and craft solutions that just made sense. He thinks deeply about user experience while actually knowing how to build what he designs. This combination is gold.

Mike Chabot, Director of Engineering @ Candy Digital

Outside of work

I just moved to Kirkwood, MO

I married my high school sweetheart

I play competitive Overwatch

My dog’s name is Sophie

I beat cancer at age 20

I like to golf

I’m an audiophile

I’m into digital/generative art

Got a big design challenge to solve?

Let’s work together.

Email me

Chris Wallace

Design Principal

I’m a design executive and founder with two decades of experience scaling teams, shaping product strategy, and delivering award-winning digital experiences.

My work

About

Fractional Design Leadership

Email me

Design is the creation of value on a product, in a product, that doesn't have to do with the actual raw materials. It is an extra value add that is a result of a lot of thinking, making, and iterating, so that those raw materials are now 10x more valuable.

John Maeda

My Approach

I design from first principles, questioning everything: systems, processes, decisions, tradeoffs, tech challenges, and business needs. This helps me deeply understand the problem space and champion direct and positive change the best way I can. Sometimes the right approach is the shortest path and sometimes it’s the longer, more trustworthy one. I learn how users think to provide them what they need at every step of their journey.

Leadership

I lead with empathy and push for constant improvement and better outcomes. I take the time to understand people, manage to their strengths and weaknesses, and am clear about expectations and accountability. Support without standards is empty. Standards without support burn teams out. I try to operate in the space where both exist and value gets shipped.

Experience

I’ve been a hands-on agency executive, which meant leading design strategy, creative direction, UX, visual, brand, and motion for Fortune 500 companies. I’ve worked in tech with brands like Facebook, Google, Starbucks, and Microsoft, and I’ve led the creation of award-winning digital products for the biggest gaming and entertainment brands in the world: The Walking Dead, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Roblox, MLB, DC Comics, and more.

My biggest win

Redesigning the California DMV during the COVID-19 pandemic. My superteam of 15+ designers embarked on a massive undertaking to bring critical services online for 1 in 9 U. S. drivers. We performed design research, content strategy, a brand and visual overhaul, and a series of mini-apps for users. Ultimately, we delivered an award-winning website under budget that was met with heaps of praise from California drivers.

I love working with Chris. He has the rare mix of design instincts and technical ability that makes him incredibly effective. We tackled several major redesigns together, and each time, I was impressed by how he could spot the core user flows and craft solutions that just made sense. He thinks deeply about user experience while actually knowing how to build what he designs. This combination is gold.

Mike Chabot, Director of Engineering @ Candy Digital

Outside of work

I just moved to Kirkwood, MO

I married my high school sweetheart

I play competitive Overwatch

My dog’s name is Sophie

I beat cancer at age 20

I like to golf

I’m an audiophile

I’m into digital/generative art

Got a big design challenge to solve?

Let’s work together.

Email me