Hello, I'm Sonja

Hello,
I'm Sonja

With 10+ years of design experience, I’ve spent the last 5 years building zero-to-one products centered on AI and Machine Learning, most recently on a Gen AI moonshot with Microsoft. Thanks to years working shoulder-to-shoulder with my data science peers, I’m the nerdiest designer you know when it comes to AI.


As a Senior Designer & UX Lead, I’m happy leading the design function as your first or only designer with a collaborative cross-disciplinary team. As a generalist, I also love integrating with a talented design team, flexing my process to any end-to-end project needs. I deliver quick and beautiful UI, grounded in human-centered-design, that keeps momentum propelling forward as we build.


I keep stakeholders on the same page with proactive communication, will craft storytelling for high visibility work, and keep things polished and to the point for presentations to senior leadership, customers, or investors.


My thoughtful UX makes your product value click instantly for your customers, solid visual design will captivate users making your product stick, and the power of consistent brand through-lines with modern UI ensures retention year over year.

Together we’ll ship cutting edge solutions for emerging technologies with a product strategy that creates market leadership, paves the way for growth, and strives for an equitable future.



Based in NYC, but you can often find me in my hometown Portland, OR.  

Glass Blowing

Kiln Forming Glass

Ploymers

Riso Print with p5

Xochimilco, Mexico City - Gies MBA

Curious… you're still scrolling

Curious… you're still scrolling

Curious… you're still scrolling

I love the world of design and am constantly learning and trying new things...

Lately I’m interested in

  • HOT GLASS –kiln work and blown glass

  • BIOPLASTICS –plant-based, algae-based, biodegradable, +more

  • RISOGRAPH –I am not a graphic designer, but maybe one day

Lately I’m interested in

  • HOT GLASS –kiln work and blown glass

  • BIOPLASTICS –plant-based, algae-based, biodegradable, +more

  • RISOGRAPH –I am not a graphic designer, but maybe one day

I’m also getting my MBA on the side at the University of Illinois, they are truly disrupting what it means to go to B-School.

Resumé

Resumé

Resumé

Leading product teams through ambiguous problems with human-centered design to generate cutting edge solutions and strategy that create market leadership and an equitable future.


Specializations: Zero-to-One, AI/ML Product Design, UX+UI Generalist

ABOUT

Ellicott

Sonja

PRODUCT DESIGNER | INNOVATOR

SR. INTERACTION DESIGNER

UX LEAD / SR. UX DESIGNER

Microsoft • Contract • New York City, NY • Oct 2023 - July 2024

American Family Insurance • Remote / Chicago, IL • Mar 2021 - Oct 2023

EXPERIENCE

UX DESIGNER

PRODUCT + UX DESIGNER

TECHNICAL DESIGNER

CERTIFICATE - Entrepreneurship & Leadership

MBA CANDIDATE - Global Studies, Innovation & Economics

B.S. PRODUCT DESIGN

rMark Bio, Cue App • Chicago, IL • Aug 2019 - Jan 2021

SE Designs • Chicago, IL & Portland, OR • Oct 2017 - Dec 2020

Columbia Sportswear • Portland, OR • Nov 2015 - Sep 2018

Design Leadership Forum • Member since 2022

AIxDesign • Member since 2021

Recycler • Free Geek • Chicago & Portland • 2017-2019

Girl’s Guide • Girl’s Inc. • Portland • 2016-2018

Cornell University • Bank of America Institute • 2019

University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign, Gies2026 Anticipated

University of Oregon • Eugene, OR • 2015

EDUCATION

TOOLS

COMMUNITY

Design lead for Cue, a suite of enterprise AI web/iPad/iPhone apps for Pharma & Life Sciences customers. Formalized the Design System (web and mobile), incorporated AI/NLP, led mixed methods research, hired and managed an intern.

Freelance work with agencies, founders, corporations, start-ups, to create concepts and design digital products for Mobile, Tablet, Kiosk, and Web.

Clients: Freeosk, Motherfigure, Peak6 Investments, Rise Gardens/Studio 2133

Developed outerwear and pinnacle product earning $300-325M in annual sales. Founded the Excess Materials Sustainability Team. Traveled to Dongguan, CN.

Figma • FigJam •  Miro • Adobe Suite • Jira/Confluence • ADO • Github • Notion • Hand Sketching • Principle • Lottie • Mixpanel • Google Analytics • Data Dog • Spline 3D • Rhino 3D • Keyshot • VS Code • FinalCut Pro

Project Sophia, a Generative AI Moonshot. Designing the next wave of Business Software in an AI-powered Business Canvas. Making Gen AI trusted, useful, and inspiring, to augment any business team. Copilot Apps Studio (BIC Group).

Led product design in the Data Science and Analytics Lab, we build fast and experiment as a cross-functional team of Software Engineers and Data Scientists, implementing transformative ML-AI solutions with Enterprise Partners.

+ CALL ME + BEEP ME + IF YOU WANNA REACH ME

Contact

Prospective client?

I work with all kinds… big tech, start-ups, entrepreneurs, artists, corporations, founders, creative agencies, and consulting. This form emails me directly; keep it brief and we'll chat soon. We don't let budget get in the way of awesome work, I can work with any project stage / team size.

Recruiter?

I'm picky about who I work with, if I'm just a face-less number in your quota, I'll know from the message you send or from our first call. I've been in the game a long time, be kind, be human, and maybe we'll work together.

Design Fam?

If you're a student or an aspiring designer, find me on Linkedin and send me DM. I'm always happy to chat about how to break into the industry or find your way. I can't get you a job, but I can tell you how.