Driving Product & UX Innovation
Mike Blackford
Select a project from my portfolio to view more information:
Mastercard
Corporate Card Payment Setup
The Opportunity
Led the transformation of an inefficient, outdated business credit card workflow into a faster, user-centered process, implementing design and process improvements that enhanced usability, minimized errors, and drove measurable gains in operational efficiency.
My Role
As Design Manager, I led a cross-functional team to revamp corporate card onboarding, overseeing user research, workflow mapping, data strategy, design reviews, and creation of a scalable Figma design system.
Process
Design Thinking Hybrid Approach:
- Empathize & Define: Conducted user research and documented workflow challenges
- Ideate & Prototype: Created journey maps, wireframes, and service blueprints
- Test & Refine:Validated improvements through iterative design reviews
Tools & Methods:
- Figma (design system & prototypes)
- Journey mapping and service blueprinting
- Usability feedback sessions with stakeholders
Key Changes & Findings
- Eliminated redundant data fields
- Developed reusable components with engineering
- Reduced jargon and simplified internal codes
- Directed accelerated TSYS implementation
- Transformed onboarding from cluttered single view to guided step process
Solution
- Data entry reduced from 25 minutes to under 10 minutes
- Overall account creation and processing reduced from 3 days to under 10 minutes
- Step-by-step guided setup with optional data captured later
- Reusable components ensure global consistency
User Feedback
- “Much faster and easier than before.”
- “I know exactly what to fill out and why — no guesswork.”
Business Outcome
- Reduced onboarding-related support calls
- Faster corporate card adoption among clients
- Scalable foundation for future products
Platform STL
Organ Transplant Evaluation Platform
The Opportunity
Transform kidney care with AI–human collaboration that accelerates slide analysis, enhances precision, and supports more informed, confident diagnoses.
My Role
As the UX Director, I led strategy and implementation of an intuitive platform that addressed key pain points, securing multiple grants and industry recognition while driving continued growth and innovation.
Process
Design Thinking Hybrid Approach:
- Empathize & Define: Conducted in-depth interviews with pathologists and clinical staff to map current slide review workflows and identify error-prone patterns
- Ideate & Prototype: Created interactive prototypes of guided AI review flows, including “mowing the lawn” pattern detection and keyboard navigation
- Test & Refine: Ran usability sessions with real users to validate AI confidence indicators and refine interaction models
Tools & Methods:
- Figma (high-fidelity prototypes and design system)
- Journey mapping and service blueprinting
- Usability testing with pathologists and lab technicians
- Before/after state comparisons and performance benchmarking
Key Changes & Findings
- Identified “mowing the lawn” pattern as key error source
- Added guided + free-scrolling for full slide coverage
- Enabled keyboard-first navigation for high-volume labs
- Optimized load times with smooth UI animations
- Built AI feedback loop for continuous improvement
- Created summary panel for fast review
- Designed dual interfaces for pathologists and staff
Solution
- AI-assisted slide review with real-time anomaly detection and confidence scoring
- Hybrid navigation: guided path with optional free exploration
- Keyboard shortcuts for rapid scanning and annotation
- Performance-optimized image loading with progressive enhancement
- Closed-loop AI training via pathologist feedback
- Clear, prioritized summary dashboard for final diagnosis
- Role-based interfaces tailored to workflow needs
User Feedback
- “The AI catches things I might miss on a long day — it’s like having a second set of eyes.”
- “I can finally trust that I’ve reviewed every area of the slide.”
Business Outcome
- Secured $2M+ in NIH and industry grants
- Platform adopted by 3 major transplant centers
- Published in *Nature Medicine* for AI-UX innovation
- Foundation for future AI pathology tools
Mastercard
Cryptocurrency Risk Platform
The Opportunity
As crypto adoption grows, Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) face rising fraud and compliance risks. A dedicated security platform can close gaps in adjacent transactions, protect users, and strengthen trust.
My Role
As Director of Design, I led the evolution of an early-stage concept into a cohesive product vision and design strategy. I defined key data visualization frameworks and introduced a dark mode system tailored to the industry’s needs. Beyond aesthetics, I shaped the end-to-end experience to convey clarity, security, and trust—aligning design principles with business goals, compliance standards, and stakeholder expectations in a sensitive, high-risk market.
Process
Design Thinking Hybrid Approach:
- Empathize & Define: Conducted stakeholder interviews with compliance officers and security analysts to map fraud vectors and regulatory pain points
- Ideate & Prototype: Built interactive wireframes, risk visualization prototypes, and dark mode UI kits in Figma
- Test & Refine: Conducted usability sessions with VASPs and iterated based on feedback around clarity under high cognitive load
Tools & Methods:
- Figma (design system, prototypes, dark mode toggles)
- Data visualization libraries (D3.js concepts for risk scoring)
- Accessibility audits (WCAG 2.1 AA compliance in low-light environments)
Key Changes & Findings
- Introduced hierarchical risk heatmaps with drill-down transaction trails
- Standardized dark mode as default with high-contrast alerts (yellow/orange/red) for fraud signals
- Reduced visual noise by 60% through typographic hierarchy and negative space
Solution
- Real-time adjacent transaction monitoring with 95% fraud detection accuracy in beta
- Dark mode framework reduced eye strain by 40% in prolonged use.
- A configurable risk dashboards to be deployed to 12 global VASPs in first quarter
- Accessibility-first color system passes WCAG contrast ratios in both light/dark themes
User Feedback
- “The risk heatmaps let me spot anomalies in seconds—before, it took minutes of digging.” – Senior Fraud Analyst
- “Compliance alerts that are actually noticeable without combing through complex hard to read data tables.” – Digitial Security Officer
Business Outcome
- Enabled 3x faster threat response for high-risk crypto flows
- Positioned Mastercard as compliance leader in VASP segment
- Scalable design system slotted to be integrated into the Mastercard MADE design system
PlatformSTL
Oncology Early Warning System
The Opportunity
Nurses and doctors in oncology wards manage high patient loads under extreme time pressure. Delayed or unclear vital-sign alerts lead to missed interventions. A dedicated real-time early warning interface can surface critical changes instantly, reduce cognitive load, and enable faster, confident responses.
My Role
As Principal UX Designer, I owned the end-to-end user experience. Drawing insights from clinician shadow sessions, I translated complex clinical protocols into clear UI requirements and collaborated closely with engineering to deliver a functional prototype on time.
Process
Clinical Design Sprint (adapted Design Thinking):
- Empathize & Define: Consulted with lead doctor and nursing shifts mapping alert fatigue triggers.
- Ideate & Prototype: Designed glanceable patient card layouts and built high-fidelity Figma prototypes integrated with live data.
- Test & Refine: Ran think-aloud sessions in simulated wards and refined iconography, color semantics, and escalation logic.
Tools & Methods:
- Figma — interactive prototypes, component library
- Figjam — persona driven userflow, journey mapping
- TestFlight - Deployed real data builds to capture authentic user feedback
View Clickable Prototype
Solution
- Critical alerts surface in <3 seconds from sensor trigger to screen
- Early warning score auto-calculated and visualized per patient
- Zero-training recognition — task success on first use
- WCAG 2.1 AA compliant at 4.5:1 contrast in all states
User Feedback
- “I can see who’s deteriorating from the doorway—no more running to the station.” - Charge Nurse, Oncology Ward
- “The color system matches our mental model; red means act *now*.” - Attending Oncologist
- “False alarms could drop dramatically.” – Night-Shift RN
Business Outcome
- Pilot ward saw the potential of faster response time to sepsis-onset vitals
- Reduced alarm fatigue—nurses reported less stress
Scottrade
Trading Platform Rebrand
The Opportunity
Identifying a significant opportunity, I proposed an efficient method for Scottrade to rebrand their trading platform with minimal coding requirements. By implementing strategic modifications, their trading platform could undergo a swift transformation, seamlessly aligning with their latest branding efforts.
My Role
As Senior Designer/Design Manager, I authored high-fidelity mockups, wrote production-grade CSS, coordinated with third-party widget vendors, and presented weekly progress to C-suite executives—delivering the full rebrand on time in a 3-month sprint.
Process
Lean Rebrand Sprint (CSS-Centric):
- Audit & Scope: Mapped 400+ UI components; prioritized high-impact surfaces (header, charts, modals)
- Theme Architecture: Built a single CSS theme file (colors, backgrounds, shadows etc...)
- Vendor Sync: Negotiated CSS injection points with 3rd-party chart & grid providers
- Iterate & Demo: Bi-Weekly → live sync; executive review
Tools & Methods:
- Photoshop (mockups, designs, dev handoff)
- CSS Custom Properties (theming at runtime)
- Chrome DevTools + live site overrides for rapid testing
- Inspection + NVDA screenreader for WCAG 2.1 AA validation and live audit-feedback loops
Solution
- Full visual rebrand deployed to 2M active users with zero downtime
- Updated all charts via vendor CSS overrides—no JS changes
- 100% CSS-drivenminimal backend or core JS/HTML modifications
User Feedback
- “Looks like a completely new platform, way cleaner and more professional.” - Active Trader, 10+ yrs
- “I didn't even notice the switch—just logged in and it felt right.” - Long-Term Investor
Business Outcome
- Brand perception score up in post-launch survey
- Reusable theme system adopted by two internal teams
- Support tickets for UI confusion dropped 34% post-launch
Transforming complex challenges into simple, meaningful, and intuitive user experiences.
About Me
I specialize in enhancing user journeys and delivering user-focused solutions that drive business impact. With 15+ years leading innovative design projects, I leverage AI, LLMs, and emerging technologies to create intuitive, scalable experiences and shape design strategy across complex initiatives.
Professional Impact & Roles
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Director/Principal Designer Level
Defining and driving the design vision that connects business strategy with customer experience. Partnering with senior leadership, I shape product direction, set measurable outcomes, and ensure design remains a strategic advantage across the organization. I lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor emerging leaders, and build scalable systems that accelerate delivery and consistency. My focus is on fostering innovation through collaboration, data-driven insight, and the thoughtful integration of AI and emerging technologies.
Technical & Strategic Skills
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Product Management
Connecting vision to execution by uniting cross-functional teams around shared goals. From discovery through delivery, I ensure products meet real user needs while supporting business growth. I lead with empathy, data, and experimentation, fostering alignment and accountability across design, engineering, and strategy.
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Design/Dev Management
Empowering teams to create exceptional experiences through structure, collaboration, and creativity. Balancing hands-on leadership with mentorship, I shape design culture, strengthen communication between disciplines, and foster an environment where designers can grow, take ownership, and consistently deliver outstanding results.
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Senior Product Designer
Delivering end-to-end design for complex products, I turn user needs and business goals into intuitive, accessible experiences. I collaborate closely with product and engineering teams, create prototypes, validate designs through research, and mentor designers to maintain high standards across teams.
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Business Owner
Running BlackfordDesign, I oversee every aspect of digital product creation, from strategy to execution. I focus on crafting user-centric websites, optimizing for search and advertising, and building strong client relationships that turn design into tangible business growth.
Professional Experience
Companies
Led design for fraud detection platforms using machine learning, AI, and Emerging Tech (projected $15M revenue), directed adaptive dark mode systems for 30,000+ employees, and reduced fraud incidents by 24% across 10+ regions with 85% customer satisfaction.
Reduced corporate card onboarding from 3 days to 10 minutes, delivered scalable financial platform interfaces, and increased expense management user satisfaction by 75% through research-driven design improvements.
Long-term strategic design leadership role in healthcare innovation, conducted part-time while holding full-time senior design positions.
Designed custom websites and WordPress solutions, built contact forms, and drove results through Google Ads and digital marketing strategies, focusing on intuitive, conversion-driven experiences for measurable business impact.
Redesigned trading platform with intuitive interfaces, earning industry recognition, driving 20% growth in user awareness through marketing websites, and building a 300+ page knowledge center.
Designed eCommerce website and marketing sites for educational series, served as founding member of innovation team, and optimized user experience through graphics and product imagery.
Led product photography for industrial refrigerators, developed sales materials, and maintained printed sales sheets for the entire product line.
Skills
Testimonial
Mike is an exceptional UI/UX designer. He led the creation of a customer-focused website, turning complex problems into intuitive workflows. His creativity and expertise shine in the healthcare technology he built for pathologists. Collaborative and imaginative, Mike consistently delivers outstanding results.
