About

A collage of Brandon in different environments.


Good design isn’t about the latest tool. It’s about positioning human-centered design as a value driver and using data and insights to make  informed decisions.

My journey began when I taught myself how to code. By the seventh grade, I had built three websites. Today, I build and scale high-performing experience design teams that tackle complex digital problems and connect experiences across digital channels. The UX designers, researchers, and writers I lead think systematically, practice design thinking, and deliver impactful user-centered solutions.

Beyond work, I'm a writer, a transit advocate, a family historian, a Pallas cat conservationist, and an artist.

Ready to push your UX maturity? Let’s talk.

Recipe For EXD Leadership

Remember We're Human

Ingredients

  • Work-life balance
  • Space for creativity and recovery
  • A psychologically-safe culture

Method

  1. Advocate for work-life balance by setting clear boundaries.
  2. Build a culture that celebrates experimentation, growth, and play.
  3. Create an inspiring workplace that nurtures rather than drains energy.

Prioritize Diversity and Inclusion

Ingredients

  • A team with varied cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds
  • Open channels for all voices to be heard
  • A culture of curiosity and respect

Method

  1. Build a hiring pipeline that values diversity.
  2. Encourage collaboration where unique perspectives can thrive.
  3. Foster an environment where differences drive creativity, not conflict.

We Design for People, Not Dollar Bills

Ingredients:

  • A user-centered design mindset
  • A focus on user feedback and needs
  • Long-term vision over short-term profits

Method:

  1. Root every project in research about real human needs.
  2. Balance stakeholder goals with the integrity of user-focused design.
  3. Trust that prioritizing people will lead to lasting business success.

UX is Not a Janitorial Process

Ingredients

  • A clear understanding of UX as a problem-solving discipline
  • Empathy and commitment from leadership
  • A culture of proactive collaboration

Method

  1. Treat UX as a core strategy, not a cleanup task.
  2. Empower teams with tools and time to explore problems deeply.
  3. Reinforce the value of solving human problems, not just organizational pain points.

Establish a UX Practice

Ingredients

  • Straightforward design and research process
  • Shared goals, values, and principles
  • "Work smarter, not harder" strategies

Method

  1. Document workflows and processes that align with your team's goals.
  2. Regularly revisit these practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
  3. Ensure everyone understands and buys into the system to avoid misalignment.

Build a UX Army

Ingredients

  • Cross-functional partnerships with analytics, marketing, and product teams
  • Metrics to demonstrate UX success
  • Regular storytelling about the impact of UX

Method

  1. Establish strong relationships with key partners to amplify UX insights.
  2. Use data and research to validate decisions and show the value of UX.
  3. Communicate success stories to gain further buy-in from stakeholders.

Awards & Recognitions

2018
18th Annual Webby Honoree
  • Organization: The Webby Awards
  • Category: Websites/Digital Media
  • Project: GE Capital Bank Website
  • Role: Designer
2016
New York City Citation of Honor
  • Organization: President of the Borough of Queens, New York
  • Award: New York City Citation of Honor
  • Project: Access Queens
  • Role: Designer/Public Advocate
2011
American Package Design Award
  • Organization: GD USA
  • Award: American Package Design Award
  • Project: Connecticut College "Viewbox"
  • Role: Designer
2010
American Graphic Design Award
  • Organization: GD USA
  • Category: "Brochures/Collateral"
  • Project: Frank's Place Website
  • Role: Designer
2009
38th Big W Awards
  • Organization: Advertising Club of Westchester
  • Award: Silver - Interactive/Social Media
  • Project: Manhattanville My Soldier
  • Role: Designer, Developer
2009
38th Big W Awards
  • Organization: Advertising Club of Westchester
  • Award: Gold - Non-Profit Website
  • Project: PEPA Website
  • Role: Designer, Writer, Developer

About "Manji"

MANJI [mahn-jee] · n. Charms and symbols of luck, divinity, and spirituality — often used by Jains and Buddhists of ancient Persia, India, China, and Japan.

"Manji" represents bringing luck, blessings, infinity, and the ongoing cycle of creation to those who embrace it.

The concept is inspired by ancient Chinese metaphysics, including Taoist cosmology and feng shui, which use baguas — energy maps — to enhance eight areas of life: family, prosperity, reputation, relationships, creativity, career, spirituality, and health.

These areas are represented by trigrams encircling a yin-yang symbol, which signifies balance and change. A purple yin-yang blends duality with the concepts of royalty, power, ambition, and creativity.

These ideas shape the Manji Designs logo and its creative philosophy. It positions design as a guiding force, echoing ancient beliefs in harmony and continual creation, central to the brand's purpose.

By intentionally aligning ambition with creativity, design becomes more than functional — it serves as a strategic philosophy that harnesses purpose, harmony, and innovation to drive success.