Michael Helman

Michael Helman Email and Phone Number

Principal UI and UX Product Designer @ Surefront
Chicago, IL, US
Michael Helman's Location
Greater Chicago Area, United States
About Michael Helman

At the core of every impactful design is a deep understanding of the user's needs and a commitment to delivering elegant, intuitive experiences. My passion lies in leveraging design thinking and creative innovation to solve complex problems and elevate user experiences. My guiding philosophy is that exceptional design not only meets but anticipates and exceeds user expectations, driving both user satisfaction and business success.With a robust foundation in user experience and digital product design, I excel at transforming abstract ideas into tangible, user-centric solutions. My expertise ranges from UX/UI design, prototyping, and usability testing, to team leadership and information architecture. I thrive in collaborative environments where I can harness cross-functional feedback to refine and perfect design executions that resonate with users. Whether it’s conducting user research or developing a scalable design system, I bring a comprehensive approach to every project.My career is punctuated by key accomplishments, such as leading the design and implementation of a comprehensive Atomic Design-based Figma system that streamlined workflows and enhanced consistency. At US Foods, I was integral in elevating our NPS score beyond that of our leading competitors by spearheading initiatives that focused heavily on user feedback and continuous improvement. Additionally, as the owner of Flying Monkeys Studio, I successfully managed the end-to-end creation of corporate identities and marketing campaigns for a diverse client base, showcasing my versatility and creativity.I am passionate about using my experience to mentor emerging designers and champion the role of user experience in product development. My goal is to bring this dedication to your organization, driving innovation and strategic design initiatives that align with business objectives. Let’s connect and explore how we can achieve exceptional results together by prioritizing user experience and creative excellence.

Michael Helman's Current Company Details
Surefront

Surefront

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Principal UI and UX Product Designer
Chicago, IL, US
Michael Helman Work Experience Details
  • Surefront
    Principal Ui And Ux Product Designer
    Surefront
    Chicago, Il, Us
  • Us Foods
    Senior Ux Manager, Digital Commerce
    Us Foods Dec 2019 - Jul 2024
    Rosemont, Illinois, United States
    • Directed the development, execution, and branding of digital products like MOXē, ensuring cohesive design and enhanced user experiences.• Formulated vision and value propositions for new features incorporating emerging technologies like AI, resulting in more personalized user experiences.• Spearheaded the establishment of a robust Atomic Design-based Figma design system, introducing foundational elements and scalable components.• Actively managed, developed, and communicated… Show more • Directed the development, execution, and branding of digital products like MOXē, ensuring cohesive design and enhanced user experiences.• Formulated vision and value propositions for new features incorporating emerging technologies like AI, resulting in more personalized user experiences.• Spearheaded the establishment of a robust Atomic Design-based Figma design system, introducing foundational elements and scalable components.• Actively managed, developed, and communicated strategies, guidelines, and techniques via the creation and maintenance of style guides and user interface libraries.• Conducted user research through surveys, interviews, and A/B testing, enabling informed design decisions and improving user satisfaction.• Performed competitive audits and provided recommendations.• Boosted Net Promoter Score (NPS) by 5%, surpassing the nearest competitor, through innovative design strategies.• Stayed up-to-date on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies by attending seminars (ie. Figma Config 2024), took courses on LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), and subscribed to newsletters & blogs, such as Nielsen Norman Group, UX Planet, and UX Collective. Show less
  • Us Foods
    Senior Manager, Ux Design & Development
    Us Foods Oct 2015 - Nov 2019
    Rosemont, Il
    • As a member of the application development leadership team, increased sales channel adoption and improved margins by leveraging user data to ground design decisions in real-world behaviors.• Directed a team of passionate UX designers, researchers, and developers, driving new features, design patterns, and interaction models that engaged users and helped support the ambitious growth of applications.• Reduced design lifecycle times and rework by 65% through strategic UX direction and… Show more • As a member of the application development leadership team, increased sales channel adoption and improved margins by leveraging user data to ground design decisions in real-world behaviors.• Directed a team of passionate UX designers, researchers, and developers, driving new features, design patterns, and interaction models that engaged users and helped support the ambitious growth of applications.• Reduced design lifecycle times and rework by 65% through strategic UX direction and continuous improvement initiatives.• Led weekly team meetings, internal design sessions and assisted in customer usability testing to gather feedback and data on design effectiveness.• Facilitated card sorting and whiteboard activities to create information architecture, personas, use cases, and customer journeys leading to a more targeted design process.• Utilized data and analytics to optimize and improve the user experience across all channels.• Facilitated workshops and conducted customer interviews and usability testing to help tailor the end product to the audience’s needs.• Conducted user testing to gain insights and understand needs.• Delegated project tasks and oversaw the creation of wireframes, user flows, mock-ups, personas, prototypes, and dev specifications.• Ensured web accessibility by performing regular audits to adhere to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and made content accessible for people with disabilities.• Collaborated with QA to implement an automated tracking system for UI issues leading to a 35% decrease in errors.• Met regularly with leadership to align the user experience strategy with business objectives and goals.• Developed and maintained relationships with vendors; defined and implemented proof concepts to evaluate vendor technologies.• Supervised the recruitment and mentoring of resources.• Cultivated a positive team culture, ensuring all members felt supported and engaged. This led to a stronger, more cohesive team. Show less
  • Us Foods
    User Experience Architect
    Us Foods Jun 2013 - Oct 2015
    Rosemont, Il
    • Contracted for 8 months, then became the first UX designer at US Foods.• Created wireframes, detailed mockups, and rapid prototypes for eCommerce applications and reporting tools, effectively translating complex requirements into intuitive designs. Applied usability principles to ensure consistent vision and approach were applied when designing and developing new interfaces and enhancing existing ones.• Highly experienced with Agile methodologies and intuitive development processes… Show more • Contracted for 8 months, then became the first UX designer at US Foods.• Created wireframes, detailed mockups, and rapid prototypes for eCommerce applications and reporting tools, effectively translating complex requirements into intuitive designs. Applied usability principles to ensure consistent vision and approach were applied when designing and developing new interfaces and enhancing existing ones.• Highly experienced with Agile methodologies and intuitive development processes. All projects used the Scrum framework and participated in daily stand-up meetings, sprint planning, review, and retrospective meetings.• Ensured consistent vision and approach were applied when developing new interfaces and enhancing existing ones.• Collaborated with a third-party creative agency in establishing and documenting design standards/patterns for usage across products to achieve an integrated and consistent experience.• Presented front-end UI design concepts to senior management for feedback and approval. • Partnered with front-end developers to build experiences and review finished interfaces throughout the development lifecycle, maintaining a high bar for design and execution.• Collaborated with external partners to maintain and update the marketing email program.• Built, managed, and developed the experience design team that included designers, researchers, and front-end developers at the initial stage of the development team’s expansion. Show less
  • Flying Monkeys Studio
    Owner, Designer & Developer
    Flying Monkeys Studio Jun 1997 - Dec 2020
    Greater Chicago Area
    • Responsible for entire business operation including client recruitment, design, and production of all in-house promotional materials including business identity and website.• Wrote proposals and consulted with clients to determine their needs, goals, deadlines, and budget.• Created corporate identities, marketing campaigns, brochures, advertisments, multimedia presentations, websites, and illustrations for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups.
  • Retrofit Llc
    Art Director
    Retrofit Llc Jun 2012 - May 2013
    Greater Chicago Area
    • Responsible for the artistic direction of the public website and promotional campaign web pages.• Provided strategic direction of marketing initiatives while maintaining consistency of the brand. • Created project content from inception to completion.• Designed, documented, and delivered final web-ready mechanical files to the in-house development team.• Worked in a team-based dynamic that developed consistent design concepts that helped drive B2B and B2C purchases… Show more • Responsible for the artistic direction of the public website and promotional campaign web pages.• Provided strategic direction of marketing initiatives while maintaining consistency of the brand. • Created project content from inception to completion.• Designed, documented, and delivered final web-ready mechanical files to the in-house development team.• Worked in a team-based dynamic that developed consistent design concepts that helped drive B2B and B2C purchases. • Oversaw execution of marketing print and online communications.• Created a brand style guide to maintain a consistent look throughout the application and marketing materials.• Collaborated directly with outside vendors, designers, and search engine marketers. • Implemented the latest best practices, usability procedures, and software. Show less
  • Health Care Service Corporation
    Senior Web Designer / Front-End Developer
    Health Care Service Corporation Nov 2009 - May 2012
    Chicago, Illinois
    Duties included project management, and information architecture, created custom graphics and design layouts, developed cross-browser HTML templates, integration with content management systems, tested and debugged websites, and website maintenance for HCSC/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, and New Mexico.• Led art direction for large-scale, content-rich, public website and global web elements, Blue Access for Members, and Special Beginnings (an interactive… Show more Duties included project management, and information architecture, created custom graphics and design layouts, developed cross-browser HTML templates, integration with content management systems, tested and debugged websites, and website maintenance for HCSC/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, and New Mexico.• Led art direction for large-scale, content-rich, public website and global web elements, Blue Access for Members, and Special Beginnings (an interactive pregnancy micro-site).• Advised on user experience best practices and developed high level interactive prototypes for usability testing. • Provided creative vision, strategy, and leadership for several creative projects including wireframes, style guides, usability documentation, and functional specs.• Worked with senior management to determine milestones and deliverables, assessed user experience needs, and coordinated production resources.• Consulted with developers about usability/UX design principles throughout all four BCBS websites.• Wrote production-ready code for web-based page layouts, widgets, and micro-sites.• Provided visual design guidance for developers through implementing and designing for cross-network interfaces and platform best practices.• Researched and analyzed creative campaign goals, assuring that the company's image strongly reflects current industry standards and trends.• Created Flash interaction for micro-sites.• Articulated and documented design department processes. Show less
  • Art Technology Group
    Freelance Web Developer
    Art Technology Group Jun 2009 - Sep 2009
    • Develop navigation, jQuery accordion effect and debugged user interfaces to existing sites.• Applied knowledge of industry trends and developments to improve service to our stakeholders.• Assists in the design, coding, and testing of web solutions with Sr Web Developer
  • America'S Best Companies
    Creative Director / Information Architect
    America'S Best Companies May 2008 - May 2009
    Oak Brook, Illinois, United States
    • Led development team in the design and development of creative strategy, information architecture, content, graphics development, visual continuity, page layout & flow, HTML and functional development, content development, and project management.• Developed research analyses, conceptual models, workflows, sitemaps, wireframes, etc.• Designed and provided creative direction for all communications, including creating a unified brand identity, marketing collateral, printed and… Show more • Led development team in the design and development of creative strategy, information architecture, content, graphics development, visual continuity, page layout & flow, HTML and functional development, content development, and project management.• Developed research analyses, conceptual models, workflows, sitemaps, wireframes, etc.• Designed and provided creative direction for all communications, including creating a unified brand identity, marketing collateral, printed and online advertising.• Shared knowledge and provided leadership in creative development processes and project tracking.• Developed and maintained on-going email marketing and analysis.• Reported regularly to senior-management to discuss project status and reports. Show less
  • Shoplocal
    Senior Graphic / Ui Designer
    Shoplocal Mar 2006 - May 2008
    • Designed, architected and implemented multiple website designs at a major e-commerce "dot-com" and technical services corporation - responsibilities included information architecture, graphics development, visual continuity, page layout & flow, HTML and functional development, user research, and project management.• Rapid development of web-based prototypes of User Interfaces in fast-paced, multi-project environment.• Participated in user tests within a fully-implemented user… Show more • Designed, architected and implemented multiple website designs at a major e-commerce "dot-com" and technical services corporation - responsibilities included information architecture, graphics development, visual continuity, page layout & flow, HTML and functional development, user research, and project management.• Rapid development of web-based prototypes of User Interfaces in fast-paced, multi-project environment.• Participated in user tests within a fully-implemented user testing facility.• Responsible for designing and managing marketing services for product business side.• Collaborated with marketing services and product managers to translate company needs and customer experience efforts into effective web design.• Researched and incorporated best practices and results into ongoing promotional activity.• Worked with marketing managers and developers to integrate user interfaces to applications.• Worked with tech team to assure that the design and navigation of the design are usable with company tech environment.• Designed and developed all internal and member communications collateral, including: style guides, brochures, sell-sheets, direct mail, identity design, online campaigns, marketing material, etc.• Participated in executive staff meetings and decisions.• Facilitated collaborative efforts and provided guidance to design team.• Designed and conceptualize HTML email and other collateral campaigns.• Maintained and policed the identity and creative rollouts of all company initiatives.• Led in establishing in-house design department, including working with suppliers and vendors.• Responsible for team planning including: supervision of staff, contractor management, budget resource allocation, scheduling and mentoring.• Managed a variety of projects including site optimization; website features, HTML newsletters, marketing campaigns, and sales support projects. Show less
  • Direct Advantage
    Senior Graphic / Flash Designer
    Direct Advantage Dec 2004 - Mar 2006
    Chicago, Illinois, United States
    • Responsible for the design and production of the company Flash Web site; including business identity.• Created direct mail pieces, newspaper advertisements, corporate identities, marketing campaigns and brochures for clients ranging from small start-ups to major automotive dealerships. • Supervised update of computer programs and hardware. Troubleshooted the company's Internet connection along with managing web hosting and email accounts.

Michael Helman Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Michael Helman

What company does Michael Helman work for?

Michael Helman works for Surefront

What is Michael Helman's role at the current company?

Michael Helman's current role is Principal UI and UX Product Designer.

What schools did Michael Helman attend?

Michael Helman attended Columbia College Chicago, Moraine Valley Community College, Carl Sandburg High School.

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