Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

As an AI systems designer and product thinker, I specialize in designing and building AI-powered, responsive software systems from 0→1.

I combine UX discovery, systems thinking, and hands-on implementation to turn complex workflows into scalable, human-centered AI solutions.

My work spans product design, AI interaction design, prototyping, and building systems that are secure, accessible, and designed to hold up over time.

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

Summary

I do my best work in roles where I can partner with teams and clients to solve complex, ambiguous problems—especially those involving emerging technologies and evolving workflows.

My strength lies in bridging strategy, design, and execution—operating as both a design leader and hands-on builder, whether shaping product direction or delivering working systems.

I’m currently focused on designing and deploying custom AI agents and systems, and I’m open to both full-time remote roles and consulting opportunities.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Overview

Table of Contents

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Skills

Skills

Skills

Skills

Skills

  • AI Systems Design & Agent-Based Workflows
  • Human-AI Interaction Design
  • User Experience — UX Design
  • User Interface — UI Design
  • Product Design (0→1 and Scale)
  • Design Systems & Scalable Architectures
  • Responsive & Mobile-First Design
  • Conversational Design
  • Information Architecture & Taxonomy
  • Prototyping (Low- to High-Fidelity)
  • Journey Mapping & Persona Development
  • Customer Research & Usability Testing
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Product & Design Leadership
  • Client & Stakeholder Management
  • Agile & Iterative Development

Work Experience

Experience

Experience

Experience

Experience

AI Systems Designer + Product Builder

Independent Consultant

WATERFORD, NEW YORK

Jun 2005 — The present moment

Designing and building custom AI agent systems tailored to individual and organizational workflows, combining product design, systems architecture, and human-centered AI interaction design.

  • Conduct UX discovery to identify workflow inefficiencies and translate them into AI-driven product opportunities
  • Design and deploy private, local-first AI architectures using Agent Zero, LiteLLM, Ollama, and AWS (EC2)
  • Develop persistent memory systems, personality models, and contextual recall frameworks to support continuity and long-term use
  • Prototype and iterate on agent-based product experiences, balancing speed, scalability, and usability
  • Build end-to-end systems, including voice-to-text pipelines (WhisperLocal) and modular AI integrations

Senior Digital Experience Designer
Self-Employed Freelancer

HamiltonBerchman LLC

Ojai, California

Jun 2005 — The present moment

Led product design across 8 disciplines and 30+ industries, delivering over 1,000 digital projects spanning web, applications, and transactional systems.

  • Designed and maintained scalable design systems and brand systems across complex environments
  • Partnered with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to translate ambiguity into clear product direction and execution
  • Delivered responsive, accessible (WCAG/ADA) solutions across healthcare, insurance, finance, and other regulated industries
  • Led remote collaboration with global teams, aligning business goals with user needs and technical constraints

Senior User Experience Designer

Hatch Early Learning, Inc.

Winston-Salem, NC (Remote)

Nov 2022 — May 2023

  • Reduced onboarding from 19 steps to 6 through research-led redesign, improving engagement and adoption
  • Established a design system and user personas to support a new product initiative
  • Used AI-powered tools to accelerate research, prototyping, and ideation
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align product direction and delivery

User Experience & User Interface Designer

Art+Logic Inc.

Pasadena, CA (Remote)

Jun 2016 — Apr 2022

  • Led design for complex software projects, including a $2M+ 0→1 modernization of a legacy auction platform
  • Translated ambiguous requirements into clear product direction through discovery and prototyping
  • Collaborated with distributed teams to deliver high-quality solutions across multiple industries
  • Played a key role in securing new business through strong discovery and design leadership

Senior Web & Email Designer

AGIA

Carpinteria, California

Oct 2013 — Sep 2015

  • Increased conversion rates by 20% and engagement by 25% through UX improvements and targeted campaigns
  • Designed and developed responsive email systems using HTML/CSS with dynamic personalization
  • Used testing and iteration to optimize performance and user experience

Other Previous Roles

Director of Internet Strategy & Services
AIGA Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
Jan 2007 — Mar 2010

I was involved in web design, development, and strategic consulting for the local Santa Barbara chapter of the national AIGA organization. As a founding member, I helped establish the Santa Barbara AIGA chapter..
Web Design & Web Development Director
Journalism Accelerator
Portland, Oregon (Remote)
Jun 2012 — Dec 2013

As a web strategist, designer, and developer, I assisted the Journalism Accelerator (JA) project in creating engaging discussions among various communities to explore innovative and sustainable models for journalism. The website I worked on for JA was one of the most technically advanced WordPress sites I had ever encountered.
Creative Director
Dennison+Wolfe
Ojai, California 
January 2009— December 2011
 
I founded Dennison+Wolfe with a friend to assist small businesses in leveraging their networks. Our focus was on creating custom websites and page templates using WordPress as our base, with a specialization in Non-Profits, Law Firms, and Restaurants. I oversaw all aspects of creative direction, design, and production of Dennison+Wolfe branding and communications, as well as website design and custom development work.
Director of Communications
The Thacher School
Ojai, California 
February 1999 — June 2005

As Director of Communications, I oversaw the design of all institutional communications, both print and web, for Admissions, Alumni + Development, and Administrative offices. The deliverables included the monthly magazine, website, and other periodic communications. I also led the design efforts for The Campaign for Thacher, the school's first-ever $80 million Capital Campaign. In addition to my role as Creative Director, I served as a Faculty Advisor to the student yearbook, El Archivero, for five years. During this time, I mentored students in graphic design, typography, photography, and internet skills.
Director of Production, Network & Systems Manager & Web Developer
Jensen Design Associates
Long Beach, California 
May 1996 — February 1999

JDA is a graphic design firm specializing in providing clients with design, branding, and product positioning services. Their notable clients include Canon USA, Los Angeles Cardiology Associates, Robeks Juice, and Philharmonica Society of Orange County. During my time at JDA, I was responsible for developing and managing online business solutions for clients and overseeing the company's online presence. Additionally, I managed and maintained the computer network, handled digital archives and backup systems, and provided guidance on technology acquisitions and investments. I also established and implemented pre-press processes and production standards to ensure top-quality work, which printers admired and sought after—I did this before software solutions were available.
Production Designer & Information Systems Manager
Lakeshore Learning Materials
Carson, California
May 1995 — May 1996
 
Lakeshore is a creator of innovative learning materials and top-quality educational products. I was primarily responsible for designing and producing various collateral materials for the former KCET Store of Knowledge, which Lakeshore owned. I designed and created catalog materials for Lakeshore and implemented and maintained a backup system for networked computers.
Art Director
On The Boulevard Publishing
Studio City, California
September 1994 — May 1995
 
As a part of On the Boulevard Publishing, I oversaw the production of local arts and entertainment magazines for Santa Monica, Pasadena, West Hollywood, and the San Fernando Valley. Alongside my staff member, I directed, designed, and produced four monthly publications, which amounted to over 120 pages of editorial and advertising content. My design responsibilities included layout and cover design for each magazine and creating advertising designs for our clients, primarily restaurants, retail boutiques, and playhouses. Additionally, I was responsible for managing all digital pre-press and post-production operations, organizing and archiving our digital media systems, and providing management and guidance to the art staff.
Graphic Designer
J.R. Navarro & Associates
Los Angeles, California 
May 1994 — August 1994

J.R. Navarro is an advertising and marketing agency that has served clients such as Oldsmobile, Pacific Theaters, Petersen Automotive Museum, and Al Brooks Tickets. I was responsible for designing and producing various printed materials, including corporate collateral and advertising. I worked with clients in the automotive, entertainment, and customer service industries and took projects from concept to camera-ready artwork.
Advertising Artist
The Times Union
Albany, New York
June 1992 — May 1994

I provided creative print solutions to 40 sales representatives' clientele. My design services included art direction, concept development, layout, typesetting, illustration, image manipulation, color separation, mechanical production, and proofing of various advertising campaigns, special section covers, promotions, public service announcements, and corporate identities. To achieve a digitally produced news publication, I participated in a first-of-its-kind system integration with Macintosh, SII-66, and AGFA Colorscape systems. The integration involved technical training, testing, debugging, and implementation, which put our organization at the forefront of newspaper publishing systems at the time.
Advertising Artist
Troy Record
Troy, New York
December 1991 — June 1992

I worked for "The Record," a newspaper in the New York capital district area, where I provided design and production services for advertisements. I created camera-ready art and illustrations for display and classified ads and designed special section tabloid covers for holidays and events. This work was pre-digital; I was cutting rubylith and specifying typography for a typesetter to implement.

Business Sector Experience

Business Sector Experience

Business Sectors

Business Sectors

  • Accounting

  • Agriculture

  • Architecture

  • Arts

  • Audio

  • Construction

  • Consumer Electronics

  • Data Management

  • Education

  • Finance

  • Computer Hardware

  • Professional + Business Services
  • Publishing
  • Real Estate
  • Software
  • Surrogacy
  • Technology
  • Telecommunications
  • Healthcare
  • Insurance
  • Legal
  • Asset Management
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical Devices and Data
  • Motion Pictures
  • Motor Vehicles
  • Newspaper Publishing
  • Performing Arts
  • Printing (Commercial)
  • Private Investigation
  • Scientific + Technical Services
  • Wholesale Trade
  • B2B
  • B2C
  • B2B2C

Design Stack

Design Stack

Design Stack

Design Stack

  1. Figma (component libraries, auto-layout, variants)
  2. Adobe Creative Suite
  3. HTML • CSS • JavaScript
  4. Git-based version control (Sourcetree)
  5. Transmit (SFTP, WebDAV, Cloud)
  6. AI Stack: Agent Zero • LiteLLM • Ollama • AWS EC2

Education

Education

Bachelor of Science —
Computer and Information Science

Bachelor of Arts —
Fine Arts, Painting Concentration

Both from Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York.

Other Bits

Other Bits

American Web Design Awards

Ojai, California — 2012

My work on a website for Access Communications received a web design award from Graphic Design USA.

Clutch: Top Creative Design Agencies

Los Angeles — 2018

I had my work acknowledged as part of the Art+Logic design team.

Clutch: Top Graphic Designers

Los Angeles — 2018

I had my work acknowledged as part of the Art+Logic design team.

Coast Soccer League Champions (CSL)

Ojai, California — 2017

I was head coach for 5 years of a group of boys from the age of 8 to 13 in the Coast Soccer League in Southern California—one of the most competative youth soccer leagues in the United States. In our third season we won the league, 11-1-0.

CIF Boys Varsity Soccer
California State Finalist

The Thacher School : Ojai, California — 2019

I was Assistant Varsity Boys Soccer Coach during the 2018-2019 season when our team made a deep run into the CIF Southern Section playoffs making it to the final game. We were runner-up in a 5-4 thriller. I still actively coach today.

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Interested in working together?

Get in touch!

 Bert.forsale

 

© 2026 BERT.
ONLINE : MCMXCV — MMXXVI

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