Resume

Professional Summary

Creative Director and UX/UI Designer with 20+ years of experience delivering brand strategy, digital product design, and front-end development across agency, fintech, and enterprise environments. Proven track record leading cross-functional design teams, managing end-to-end UX processes (wireframing, prototyping, design systems), and aligning creative execution with business objectives. Expert in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Front-End Development and Gen AI. Adept at stakeholder management, design ops, and driving measurable engagement through intuitive, accessible digital experiences.

Michael Marandola
Creative Director | UX/UI Design | Brand Strategy | Front-End Development
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Experience

Feb 2018 - Present
Creative Director / Visual Design
Pixels 360
Boston, MA

Lead the design team at a full-service creative agency, overseeing UX/UI and visual direction across a broad range of channels and formats.

  • Direct end-to-end UX/UI design process including wireframing, prototyping, design systems, and visual design for web and mobile platforms
  • Spearhead branding initiatives for key clients
  • Serve as primary client liaison and project manager, managing timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder expectations across multiple concurrent accounts
  • Mentor and manage designers while serving as the key liaison between design and development, ensuring creative integrity from concept through implementation.
  • Drove agency growth through consistent delivery of high-quality creative work, contributing to new client acquisition, team expansion from 2-5 designers and PM, and increased digital revenue across accounts

Nov 2014 - Feb 2018
Creative Director + Web Developer
RSW Advertising, Financial Media Exchange
Plymouth, MA

Led branding, messaging, and product development for RSW Advertising and its sister company Financial Media Exchange while managing a cross-functional team of five designers and developers.

  • Directed UX/UI design and front-end development for the FMeX platform — a fintech web application — from initial concept through launch and growth phases
  • Developed and maintained responsive websites, digital products, and multi-channel marketing campaigns spanning web, email, and social media
  • Held key leadership role spanning product design, marketing strategy, and business development initiatives
  • Oversaw branding, campaign creative, and visual identity systems across both agencies

Jan 2013 - Nov 2014
Web Designer + Front End Developer
DST Customer Communications
Weymouth, MA

Designed and developed websites, landing pages, and HTML email campaigns using modern web standards. Created and managed digital content across web, social, and email channels.

  • Built responsive web experiences using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and jQuery
  • Produced print collateral including brochures, presentations, and sales materials for internal and external clients
  • Honored with Principles of Excellence Awards for accountability and customer-centricity
  • Consistently delivered high-quality work on deadline in a fast-paced agency environment

Education

2019 - Present
The Interaction Design Foundation
Aarhus, Denmark
Multiple Certifications
User Experience / Design Thinking / HCI

My studies at the Interaction Design Foundation focus on key areas such as design thinking, user experience (UX), and human-computer interaction (HCI). Through in-depth courses, I have learned how to create intuitive, user-centered designs that solve real-world problems. The curriculum has equipped me with practical skills and knowledge to excel in the ever-evolving field of digital design.

Achievements and Honors
  • Top 10% Course Taker
  • Assiduous Learner Award
  • Local Group Member

May 2006
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Electronic Imaging / Digital Media

I received my BFA degree in Electronic Imaging / Digital Media at UMASS Dartmouth. This degree focus includes web and graphic design, typography, 2D/3D computer animation and motion graphics.

Secondary studies included sculpture, woodworking, ceramics, photography, painting and illustration, computer science (basic programming), economics, art history, music theory and creative writing.

Achievements and Honors
  • Dean’s List
  • Senior Class Treasurer
  • Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity: VP Finance, VP Membership

Professional & Technical skills

Creative & Art Direction
Team Management
Project Management
Client Relations
Customer Service
Strategic Planning
Startup Experience
Corporate Work Experience
UX / UI Design
Visual Design
Web Development
Product Design
Responsive Web Design
Graphic Design
2D / 3D Animation
Video Editing & Production
Generative AI
Prompt Engineering
Large Language Models
Creative Thinking
Web Server Management
Google Analytics
Digital Advertising
Database Administration

Software and Programming

Figma
Photoshop
Illustrator
InDesign
Premiere
After Effects
Zeplin
Lightwave 3D
Maya
MS Office
MAMP
VS Code
Git Respository
Version Control
HTML
CSS
SASS/Bourbon
PHP/MySQL
JavaScript
jQuery
Ajax
React
Node.js
ChatGPT/Claude