About me…
"Be curious, not judgmental"
– Walt Whitman
I am an innovative and strategic leader of user experience & interface design with extensive experience leading design initiatives and managing product teams to elevate user engagement and drive business success. My expertise lies in mastering design theory and developing user-centered strategies that enhance product usability across diverse platforms.
I am a leader in UX/UI design, specializing in translating complex requirements into intuitive, user-centered design solutions. By leveraging data-driven insights and user research, I ensure that each design decision enhances the overall user experience. My expertise spans product design, UI/visual design, UX/interaction design, design systems, prototyping, and user research. With a focus on aligning user needs with business goals.
What people are saying…
Paige Young
Donny is an incredible manager. His attention to making his team feel comfortable while prioritizing continued education is like no other. He cares about how his team is treated and represented within the company. Donny is a well educated designer that has worked on many products with many complex problems. I have worked on many UX projects with Donny and value the talent and experience that he brings to the table. I have learned endless amounts of knowledge in UX Design from Donny and his dedication to creating better products for users.
Jenna Smith
I highly recommend Donny, my former Director of UX at Fishbowl Inventory. Donny believed in me right out of college, demonstrating exceptional trust, support, and an empowering management style that fostered independence and growth. His emphasis on continual learning and the creation of a comfortable yet challenging atmosphere made my success in UX design possible. Donny's extensive experience, compassionate leadership, and way of creating a positive work environment make him an outstanding manager and mentor. His expertise and understanding of design significantly contributed to our team's achievements. Working with him was a privilege and I'm confident he'll continue to inspire and support others in the future.
Eric Solari
I had the pleasure of working with Donny for the better part of 2 years. He's a great leader with wonderful design and product talents. During my time working with Donny, he was key in helping to move our SaaS product forward; leading the UI/UX team, working closely with the product group, providing subject matter expertise, being a sounding board for this engineering director (and his team) and always making himself available. It goes without saying that in addition to all of the above, he's a great guy that works well with everyone and fits right in.
I would not hesitate to work with Donny again and hope to do so one-day. I recommend him wholeheartedly.
Kraig Wastlund
I'm thrilled to recommend Donny Merrill, and I can't praise him enough.
Donny is truly outstanding. He’s the type of person who elevates any team he’s part of. His expertise in his field is unparalleled, and working with him is always a pleasure. A consummate professional, Donny consistently works towards the team’s goals, never prioritizing his own interests over those of the group.
Donny is fantastically skilled in many areas. His diverse skill set, even those not directly related to his immediate work, enhances his productivity and benefits everyone around him. He’s energetic, fun, and an excellent communicator, making collaboration both enjoyable and highly effective. His positive attitude and enthusiasm are infectious, creating a motivating and dynamic work environment. Donny’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively ensures that everyone is on the same page, which is crucial for team success.
In summary, Donny is not just a valuable asset; he’s a catalyst for team success and a joy to work with. I wholeheartedly recommend him.
Anastasia Rozhnova
Although I did not work directly with Donny, I had the pleasure of encountering him regularly in our daily standups and various meetings at Fishbowl. During these interactions, I was consistently impressed by his charisma, talent, and the positive energy he brought to numerous teams.
It is with great confidence that I recommend Donny for any role or opportunity he seeks. He will undoubtedly bring the same level of enthusiasm, expertise, and positive influence to your organization as he has to ours.
Danny Johnson
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Donny for over five years on various projects, including web applications and legacy Java systems. Donny is an exceptional professional with a rare blend of skills in graphic design and UX design.
What stands out most about Donny is his collaborative nature and commitment to delivering designs that truly meet the needs of the project. He’s not only easy to work with but also receptive to feedback, iterating on his work to ensure the final product aligns perfectly with both user expectations and project goals.
Donny’s ability to balance creativity with practicality makes him an asset to any team. He loves what he does and is great to work with.
Skyler Johnston
Donny is truly exceptional, and it was an absolute pleasure to work with him both before and after I joined the product team. After transitioning into product, I had the privilege of collaborating closely with Donny and his talented UX team. Together, they delivered phenomenal work, including a complete redesign of an outdated UI and the creation of hundreds of new features. Their professional and efficient approach not only elevated the user experience but also saved countless hours of potential mistakes—a challenge we currently face in the absence of a dedicated UI designer.
Donny’s dedication is evident in every aspect of his work. He pours his heart into his projects and into his interactions with others, consistently going above and beyond his role to support those around him. Beyond his UX expertise, Donny made significant contributions to our team culture at Fishbowl. Whether it was designing creative t-shirts, flipping pancakes at company events for years, or countless other acts of service, Donny brought an energy and passion that positively impacted everyone around him.
Working with Donny not only made me a better employee but also a better person. His influence is far-reaching, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside him.
I wholeheartedly recommend Donny and am confident he will excel in any endeavor he undertakes.