Hei, nice to meet you.

I’m Krystyn Heide.

I build high-velocity design practices that foster innovation. I thrive in diverse environments where I help shape an inclusive user experience.

2005-13

I joined Squarespace as the founding designer and second employee, where I developed components of the webapp (design, experience, front-end) and led initiatives from research to deployment. In eight years, we grew from two to hundreds of employees, with millions of creative and small business customers.

2013-17

I founded my own research and design practice, working with companies like Skillshare, a learning community; Action, an activism tool for NGOs and publishers; COTA, a platform using data science to improve oncology care; and Fortune 500 companies Wall Street Journal, American Express and Blue Shield of California.

2017-20

I transitioned to design leadership at DEPT® helping companies like PBS Kids, Verizon Smartcities, Linux Foundation, and Education First to build leading edge, immersive experiences.

During this time, I also taught graduate students in the Parsons School of Design’s Master of Professional Studies program.

2020-22

At Teamshares, I designed the brand, hired and onboarded senior talent, managed the design program, led digital product R&D, and created a cross-functional design system using Google Suite, Figma and React components.

I also taught a remote course to Parsons students in the BFA Communication Design program during lockdown.

2022-24

I was accepted into a DesignOps cohort led by Google’s UX Chief of Staff, and earned my Master of Arts in Design at the University of the Creative Arts in London.

My thesis, Designing for Neurodiversity, studied the use of technologies like machine-learning and artificial intelligence when designing for users with sensory and spectrum disorders.