Experience Design and Strategy
What is a Brakelbee? That’s me, Mike Blakesley. I have picked up perspectives and experience from each of the projects and companies I’ve done work for. I bring this wealth of experience, mix it with your specific needs, and create sweet digital experiences that are as good as gold. I don't take myself too seriously, but I do know hard work, creativity, and the fun of collaborating with people that you enjoy working with.
Contact me and let’s discuss your experience design
and strategy needs.
SERVICES
Strategy
Strategic innovation requires applying creativity to the right contextual inputs. Gain the right insights and perspective to open up a new world of possibilities.
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Generative Research
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Portfolio Prioritization
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Product Vision
Design
Innovative ideas can get lost in the shuffle if they don't properly connect with the people they're created for. Great design is more than utility, it creates meaning.
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UX Design
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UI Production
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Design Systems
Consulting
Keeping up with customer needs requires modernization of not just the experience, but the internal tools and methods themselves to deliver that experience.
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Heuristic Evaluation
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Digital Transformation Assessment
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Design Ops
MY WORK
HISTORY
2009-2017
Boutique to National Agency
Associate Creative Director to Vice President of User Experience
Seeking a change of lifestyle and scenery, Mike left Baltimore for sunny Austin, TX where he joined projekt202. Entering as the 25th employee, the company was deciding to make the crucial decision to focus on growth, to shed the boutique image and serve larger clients. Mike's roles evolved, taking on more responsibility as he led teams, directed more prestigious clients, and helped evolve the discipline of the design craft at projekt202. As the company grew and the CXO co-founder had an increasingly external role, Mike took over the leadership of the national design practice nationwide.
1997-2000
Entering Design
Graphic Designer
After a few internships to learn the basics, Mike joined Pinnacle Communications in Baltimore, MD as the first full time designer on staff. Here he honed his craft creating branding, collateral, and corporate websites. At this time, he was also building these sites in HTML and CSS where he enjoyed tinkering with each pixel to push the limits of the technology.
2000-2009
Emerging Industry
Graphic Designer to Vice President of Creative
Seeing the industry maturing and enjoying the digital projects more, Mike moves to e.magination - a design agency focused entirely on the emerging digital industry. During this time, as an adjunct faculty, he also led the development of a web design studio class at his Alma Mater, Shepherd University. His responsibilities evolved, while methodology for human-centered design evolved too - integrating user research and usability testing with design. As the company and capabilities matured, Mike took over as head of the design practice, leading a team of 10 researchers, designers, and front-end developers.
2019-2024
Financial Services
Experience Director to
UX Design Practice Lead
Reconnecting with projekt202 (later named, Stellar Elements), Mike moved into a leadership position for a multi-year digital transformation of an established regional bank. He also led the strategic value proposition to define a product vision and service area for regional banks, leveraging AI to drive better personalization for customers.
2024
BrakelBee Founded
Principal Designer and Strategist
With over two decades of experience designing digital solutions, BrakelBee is formed to deliver high-quality strategy, design, and consultation services.
2017-2019
Affiliate Network for Retail
Head of Design
Mike desired an opportunity mature a product and see the long-term results of evolving an experience to better address the wants & needs of customers. That opportunity came along to become the head of design at RetailMeNot. While there, he led a team of 12 designers, researchers, and content strategists. He led the strategy and vision for the product as it would incorporate new business lines. He also led the initiative to develop a design system that would eliminate tech-debt and unify the design across digital channels. Mike also supported the local design community with frequent engagements at design schools and created a paid internship program with a path-to-placement for emerging designers.
CONTACT
BrakelBee is dedicated to crafting exceptional digital experiences. Let's discuss how we can bring your ideas to life. Get in touch to start the conversation.