Erik Wirtz

Senior Visual, UX/UI Designer

APR 2024 - PRESENT · 2.4 years

Senior Product Designer - Product teams

AUG 2022 - FEB 2024 · 1.6 years

Redesigned returning-filer onboarding for TurboTax’s 31.7M returning users, reducing repetition, lowering cognitive load, and removing re-entry friction. Shipped a controlled-cohort test measuring a +1 percentage-point conversion lift, projecting approximately $4.5M in incremental annual revenue. Located an intervention using prior-season support data showing where filers were requesting assistance, then designed a three-state sentiment check-in that detected frustration and routed users to targeted remediation. Tested against a higher-fidelity slider with expanded questioning; the lower-cognitive-load version won and shipped. Synthesized Amplitude data, usability testing, and customer feedback into product decisions, contributing to an approximately 10% satisfaction increase for a first-time bulk-upload experience. Created flows, prototypes, Figma designs, and annotated specifications across onboarding, upload, and growth work; improved QA handoff and reduced design-related implementation errors by approximately 25%. Recognition for Excellence: Earned Customer Obsession and Stronger Together awards for contributions to flagship projects and fostering cross-functional collaboration.

Senior Product Designer - Visual

JUN 2019 - AUG 2022 · 3.3 years

Led the design of innovative consumer marketing initiatives, enhancing user experiences and aligning designs with both user needs and business objectives through cross-functional collaboration. Aligned designs with user needs and business goals through collaboration with product, engineering, and marketing teams. Created and maintained scalable marketing design systems, implementing responsive Figma components to improve consistency across teams. Designed user-centered wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes using Figma, improving cross-functional alignment. Mentored junior designers, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment and providing constructive feedback during design reviews. Conducted in-depth user journey analysis using Amplitude data, identifying pain points and driving design improvements that enhanced engagement and satisfaction. Spearheaded accessibility initiatives, refining marketing materials to meet WCAG standards and improving inclusivity across campaigns.

Senior Product Designer - UX & Visual Systems

JUN 2019 - AUG 2022 · 3.3 years

Redesigned TaxCaster, Intuit’s consumer tax-estimation web app, a top-of-funnel tool drawing approximately 2M users per tax season and converting 7.4% into authenticated TurboTax accounts. The redesign won its A/B test and projected a $14M increase in annual revenue. Designed customer-facing growth and engagement experiences across responsive product and marketing surfaces, connecting brand, interaction design, accessibility, and experimentation. Built scalable Figma systems and partnered with product, engineering, marketing, analytics, research, and QA to ship consistent, production-ready experiences.

Creative Director | Co-founder CanIStream.it?

MAY 2011 - MAY 2019 · 8.1 years

Co-created Can I Stream It?, a cross-platform streaming search product that grew to about 500K registered users, peaked near 750K users, reached about 50K monthly active users, and generated $7K–$10K in monthly affiliate revenue. Owned creative direction, UX/UI, product strategy, brand, and marketing across five Can I Stream It? platforms. Increased Urban Pixels’ monthly revenue by 30% by leading client pitches, developing new business opportunities, and partnering with agencies on outsourced web and mobile work. Created brand identity, positioning, campaigns, sales collateral, print, and customer-facing digital work for Can I Stream It?, Urban Pixels, and client brands. Partnered with founders, executives, leadership teams, product marketing, and sales to create websites, pitch decks, one-pagers, case studies, presentation decks, motion graphics, and trade show materials. Redesigned the VisionRT website to explain complex healthcare technology through a clear and customer-focused web experience. Turned PillDrill wireframes into complete high-fidelity workflows for a healthcare product used by patients and caregivers. Created presentation decks for Knowledge in the Public Interest using research and workshop data collected from participants. Managed several projects at once, ranging from one-week rapid prototypes to multi-month engagements involving research, iteration, handoff, launch, and follow-up. Delivered creative work for clients including Samsung, DMX, Knowledge in the Public Interest, VisionRT, and PillDrill.

Creative & design | Co-founder CanIStream.it?

MAY 2011 - MAY 2019 · 8.1 years

Managed creative services for major clients and co-created “Can I Stream.it?”, driving platform growth and revenue while leading design projects from concept to production. Led end-to-end design projects for high-profile clients, utilizing innovative approaches to create data-rich, visually compelling interfaces. Co-created “Can I Stream.it?”, an innovative online search service, growing monthly active users to 500,000 and generating an average $10K in monthly revenue. Spearheaded design projects from concept to production, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget constraints, resulting in a 30% reduction in production delays. Led design initiatives and pitched new business opportunities to clients, collaborated with large ad agencies for outsourced mobile work, growing Urban Pixels’ monthly revenue by 40%. Played a pivotal role in the design and promotion of projects like Tidiy, Can I Stream It?, and Social SOS, showcasing strategic design thinking and a wide range of creative solutions.

Freelance Senior Designer

JAN 2010 - MAY 2011 · 1.4 years

Collaborated with diverse clients such as Levain Bakery and Seattle Quest Field to design innovative online solutions, integrating design and content strategy to enhance user engagement and deliver seamless digital experiences. Led client presentations and pitches, effectively communicating design concepts to secure new projects, increasing client retention and reinforcing Urban Pixels’ reputation for innovative design and creative excellence. Built strategic partnerships with clients, ensuring that digital solutions met and exceeded their expectations, leading to improved customer satisfaction and brand visibility. Developed and executed comprehensive marketing design services for clients like Love Your Layover and RitDye, driving enhanced digital presence, brand recognition, and customer engagement through visually compelling online campaigns.

Freelance Designer

JAN 2014 - OCT 2017 · 3.8 years

Led creative efforts at Tragic Media, expanding design services, enhancing market positioning, and driving client engagement through innovative online marketing and photography projects. Led all creative at Tragic Media, significantly expanding the design services offered by the company and enhancing its market positioning. Developed and implemented innovative online marketing solutions for key clients, including SportRX, Cocina Verify, and Faveo Moves, driving enhanced digital presence and customer engagement. Directed and produced all photography for Tragic.Media, including creative imagery and professional headshots for all team members, enriching the company's brand image. Participated as design lead in client meetings and pitches, effectively communicating design concepts and securing new projects, increasing sales and reinforcing Tragic Media's reputation for creative excellence.

Senior Design Consultant

MAR 2010 - JUN 2013 · 3.3 years

Collaborated with the Web Advanced team to design innovative online solutions, driving UX and content strategy integration for diverse clients, and ensuring digital solutions exceeded expectations. Collaborated with a dynamic team at Web Advanced to design innovative online solutions, serving a diverse clientele including Baldwin Hardware, McKinley Children’s Center, Pfister Faucets, and the North American Star League. Functioned as a Senior Design Consultant, partnering closely with the Creative Director to spearhead design strategies, ensuring that digital solutions met and exceeded client expectations. Collaborated on the integration of UX design principles and content strategy across various projects, enhancing user engagement and delivering seamless online experiences.

Freelance Senior Designer

JUN 2008 - DEC 2009 · 1.6 years

Designed creative for key clients Shea Homes, Active.com iHoops, and Cricket Wireless, enhancing brand presence on customer facing websites. Collaborated with a team of designers, project managers and developers to create modern website designs improving user experience.

Art Director

MAY 2007 - MAY 2008 · 1.1 years

Designed creative solutions for key clients Baltimore Ravens, Gateway, DTS, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Created design assets for multiple platforms and devices, including web, mobile. Utilized user research to inform design decisions and create user-centered designs.

eCommerce Art Director

FEB 2005 - APR 2007 · 2.3 years

Elevated Fila's digital presence by orchestrating online communications, executing photo shoots, and managing design teams, leading to improved brand visibility, user engagement, and cohesive design systems across platforms. Orchestrated online communications for Fila brands, significantly elevating the brand's digital presence and enhancing e-commerce platform user engagement. Executed photo shoots and developed online advertising strategies, substantially improving brand visibility and campaign effectiveness. Managed a diverse team of in-house and outsourced designers, collaborating effectively with international teams to ensure cohesive brand messaging and design across all digital platforms. Developed and maintained a library of brand assets, ensuring all materials were easily accessible and up-to-date. Developed and maintained style guides that ensured consistency across all visuals. Created design assets for multiple platforms and devices, including web, mobile, and print. Led a team of designers to develop and implement a cohesive design system that improved user experience and streamlined our team workflows.