ABOUT ME
I'm Sam Small, a passionate designer who crafts beautifully intuitive experiences to solve problems and enrich lives.
Based in Kansas City, Missouri, I have 13+ years of design experience, with the past 8 years focused on product design. Driven by a passion for human-centered design, my approach is empathetic and focuses on deeply understanding user needs.
With extensive experience leading teams and collaborating on projects for top-tier clients such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, Fitbit, Amazon, Visa, First American, and the Brooklyn Nets, I have honed a diverse range of skills in UI/UX, user research, interaction design, design systems, branding, motion, and 3D design. I excel at aligning user needs with business goals to achieve maximum impact.
Outside of work, I am drawn to fashion, interior design, architecture, and fine art. I’m most inspired in nature, during runs, and listening to music and podcasts. My curiosity fuels continuous learning and collaboration, keeping my passions ever evolving.
I'm always eager to meet creative people or collaborate on impactful projects. If you'd like to learn more, let's connect!
Services
UI/UX Design
Visual Design
Concepting & Ideation
Wireframing
Prototyping
Interaction Design
Product Management
Information Architecture
Web Design
Mobile Design
User Research
Usability Testing
Branding & Identity
Design & Art Direction
Motion Graphics
3D Design
Print/Layout Design
Signage & Wayfinding
Screen Printing
Letterpress Printing
Experience
NOV 2020 – OCT 2023
Punchcut | Senior Visual & Interaction Designer
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality solutions meeting user needs and exceeding business goals. Responsibilities included user research, UI/UX design, design systems, VR, and 3D/motion. Led design projects for top-tier clients including Google, Visa, Fitbit, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and ServiceNow, integrating creativity, leadership, innovation, and a user-centric approach.
NOV 2016 – OCT 2020
Theorem | Lead Product Designer
Led design strategy and execution for numerous products, ensuring cohesive UI/UX and consistent design elements. Delivered impactful solutions for clients like Apple, AT&T, Brooklyn Nets, Intel, and First American. Solicited feedback, fostered improvement, and mentored junior designers. Aligned product managers and designers, clarifying priorities and expectations. Contributions spanned research, design, accessibility, and quality assurance.
2011 – PRESENT
Sam Small Design | Multidisciplinary Freelance Designer
As a freelance designer, I work on projects in product design, branding, art direction, 3D and motion graphics, web design, and print. My passion lies in crafting immersive experiences across digital, virtual, and print platforms.
DEC 2019 – PRESENT
Springboard | UI/UX Design Mentor & Teaching Assistant
Mentored students through UI/UX courses, offering hands-on support in weekly calls covering UX thinking, UI design, user research, and career advice, empowering them to strategically navigate their future career. As a TA, I support students with technical design skills and mastering tools for success in the field.
JUN 2014 – APR 2016
Hufft | Designer & Brand Manager
Oversaw design, marketing, and social media for the Hufft brand and a range of commercial clients. This included crafting brand identities through web design, interactive experiences, and signage/wayfinding. Contributed research, strategy, and conceptual designs during Hufft's rebrand, playing a key role in the brand's visual and strategic impact.
AUG 2014 – JUL 2018
Special Edition Co. | Co-Founder & Designer
Co-founded Special Edition Co., an experimental creative collective, with designer Trent Roach. We orchestrated collaborations with creatives worldwide, contributing to both collaborative and client projects in branding, motion, web design, and exhibition design.
AUG 2013 – MAR 2014
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | Print & Digital Designer
Led design of digital signage, print materials, and social content for museum exhibitions. Drove heightened engagement and increased foot traffic to various exhibitions.
JUN 2013 – AUG 2013
Bernstein-Rein Advertising | Contract Designer
Played a pivotal role in design of print and digital ad campaigns for renowned brands including McDonald's, Kansas City Chiefs, Old Dominion, and Hostess.
Education
Kansas City Art Institute | BFA in Graphic Design
Columbus College of Art & Design | Foundations
TESTIMONIALS ↓
"Sam is an outstanding design partner with a remarkable dedication to excellence. His positive, solution-focused attitude brings a valuable energy to our team, making him a reliable and proactive contributor. From driving UX initiatives to prioritizing customer-centricity, Sam consistently goes above and beyond. It's been a pleasure working with someone who not only excels in his role but also uplifts the entire team with his positivity."
– FITBIT / GOOGLE UX TEAM
"This work has been stellar. You took a complex project and made it digestible and beautiful. It was our first time working with you and it's been really, really great. I've been evangelizing about you and the work, everyone internally has been so impressed."
– VISA INNOVATION TEAM
"Sam is one of the best designers I have ever worked with. While working on some of the most complex design challenges for an enterprise software system, Sam led a team of designers while also producing flawless interactive prototypes on tight timeframes. He is also an advocate for user research and has experience conducting research himself."
– MANA MOMEN | RESEARCH LEAD
Awards
Adobe Above the Fold Design Awards
Best in Show: Web & App Design
AIA Monsters of Design Awards
Best in Show
AIGA Kansas City A9 & A10
Award Winner (x2)
KCAI Design Awards
Armin Hofman & Jan Tschichold Awards
Adobe Muse Web Design Showcase
Website of the Day & Year Awards
Organizations
AIGA Kansas City
Recognition
✦ Career Foundry - Feature in "9 of the best UI Design portfolios that will inspire you"
✦ It's Nice That - Interview feature
✦ Figma Editorial - Interview feature
✦ Bestfolios - Portfolio feature
✦ Mockplus Blog - Portfolio feature
✦ AIGA Eye on Design Design Diary - Featured collab with Emma Fisher
✦ Reality vs. Virtual Reality Features - Work in international events at Ace Hotel (LA), V&A Gallery (London), Magic Johnston (Melbourne). Featured on I-D Magazine & Acclaim
✦ KTLG Directory of Design Studios - Interview & video feature
✦ ilovecreatives - Interview feature
✦ Card Dsgn - Business card design feature
✦ EYE X EAR Exhibition - Curated exhibition with Special Edition Co. & Yaeji featuring work from 70+ international audio/visual artists in Brooklyn. Work also featured in the show.
✦ Pitch Zine - Feature article
✦ Fount Magazine - Work featured in magazine & exhibitions in Berlin & Dortmund
✦ Chroma Magazine - Work featured in The Red Issue
✦ Neue Goods - Creators Series interview
✦ UltraLab Apps - Work created for and utilized in Pattern Soup mobile app
✦ Computer Arts Magazine - Typeface design featured
✦ AIGA Get Out the Vote - Work featured in AIGA's National Design Gallery in NYC
It's Nice That
Interview feature
Figma Editorial
Interview feature
Mockplus Blog
Portfolio feature
Bestfolios
Portfolio feature
AIGA Eye on Design Design Diary
Featured collaboration with Emma Fisher
Reality vs. Virtual Reality Features
Work in international events at Ace Hotel (LA), V&A Gallery (London), Magic Johnston (Melbourne) / Featured on I-D Magazine and Acclaim Magazine
KTLG Directory of Design Studios
Interview & video feature
ilovecreatives
Interview feature
Card Dsgn
Business card design feature
EYE X EAR Exhibition
Planned & co-curated exhibition with Special Edition Co. & Yaeji featuring work from 70+ international audio/visual artists in Brooklyn, NY. Work also featured in exhibtion.
Pitch Zine
Feature article
Fount Magazine
Work featured in magazine & exhibitions in Berlin & Dortmund
Chroma Magazine
Work featured in The Red Issue
Neue Goods
Creators Series interview
UltraLab Apps
Work created for/utilized in Pattern Soup app
Computer Arts Magazine
Typeface design featured
AIGA Get Out the Vote
Work featured in AIGA's National Gallery in NYC
Career Foundry - Feature in "9 of the best UI Design portfolios that will inspire you"
It's Nice That - Interview feature
Figma Editorial - Interview feature
Bestfolios - Portfolio feature
Mockplus Blog - Portfolio feature
AIGA Eye on Design Design Diary - Featured collaboration with Emma Fisher
Reality vs. Virtual Reality Features - Work in international events at Ace Hotel (LA), V&A Gallery (London), Magic Johnston (Melbourne). Featured on
I-D Magazine and Acclaim Magazine
KTLG Directory of Design Studios - Interview & video feature
ilovecreatives - Interview feature
Card Dsgn - Business card design feature
EYE X EAR Exhibition - Planned & co-curated an exhibition with Special Edition Co. & Yaeji featuring work from 70+ international audio/visual artists in Brooklyn, NY. Work also featured in the show.
Pitch Zine - Feature article
Fount Magazine - Work featured in magazine & exhibitions in Berlin & Dortmund
Chroma Magazine - Work featured in The Red Issue
Neue Goods - Creators Series interview
UltraLab Apps - Work created for and utilized in Pattern Soup mobile app
Computer Arts Magazine - Typeface design featured
AIGA Get Out the Vote - Work featured in AIGA's National Design Gallery in NYC
