JAMES

JACOBSEN

Hey, I'm James

I got into design because I couldn't stand watching people struggle with things that didn't need to be hard. Fifteen-plus years later I've built that instinct into a career, from logistics to retail, with stops at Maersk, IGN, PCMag, and FourKites along the way. I stay hands-on, lead with visual empathy, and still ask the annoying questions until a system makes sense.

MAERSK
FOURKITES
GROCERY OUTLET
ZIFF DAVIS
IBM
PCMAG
BBBS
IGN

SNAPSHOT

Based in

SF Bay Area

Based in

SF Bay Area

Based in

SF Bay Area

Background

Brand/Editorial → Product

Background

Brand/Editorial → Product

Background

Brand/Editorial → Product

Range

Founding Designer → Director of UX

Range

Founding Designer → Director of UX

Range

Founding Designer → Director of UX

Approach

Systems + Visual Design + UX

Approach

Systems + Visual Design + UX

Approach

Systems + Visual Design + UX

My Resume

15+

Years designing products at scale.

Design teams built and/or led

700K

Downloads on shipped products

SELECTED WORK

Backend System Redesign

Retail

Backend UI/UX

Design Systems

Data Visualization

Cut speed-to-market by 25% across 500 stores
Redesigned the internal platforms powering operations, streamlining workflows for store operators through scalable design systems and DesignOps improvements.

Global Logistics Executive Dashboard

SaaS

Blockchain

Data Visualization

Design Systems

Reporting

Real-time trade insight across 15+ markets
Designed a real-time shipment intelligence dashboard for a Maersk and IBM blockchain platform, translating complex global trade data into actionable insights for compliance teams.

AI/ML Supply Chain Product

SaaS

Data Visualzation

Design Systems

AI/ML

Cut manual steps 30% across Fortune 500
Worked on the interface for FourKites' AI automation tool. The challenge was trust, operators needed to see what the AI was doing and step in when something looked off. I built the review checkpoints that made that possible.

Loyalty Mobile App Redesign + AI Integration

Commerce

Mobile UI/UX

Design Systems

Designed AI recommendations, grew active users
Led the end-to-end redesign of Grocery Outlet's consumer mobile app, building an AI-powered recommendations engine to increase active users and set the foundation for E-Commerce.

PCMag.com Publishing Platform Redesign

PCMag.com Publishing
Platform Redesign

Design Direction

Mobiler UI

User Research

Commerce

Rebuilt platform balancing commerce, ads, SEO
Redesigned PCMag's editorial publishing platform, creating a scalable slideshow and feature page system that improved reader engagement, streamlined editorial workflows, and balanced the competing needs of commerce, advertising, and SEO.

Rebuilt platform balancing commerce, ads, SEO
Redesigned PCMag's editorial publishing platform, creating a scalable slideshow and feature page system that improved reader engagement, streamlined workflows, and balanced the competing needs of commerce, advertising, and SEO.

EXPERIENCE

Grocery Outlet

Director of User Experience

2024-2026

Led product design for a Fortune 1000 retailer's mobile app and digital ecosystem, serving 2M+ monthly active users. Designed an AI-powered recommendations engine and oversaw the product design system across all platforms.

FourKites

Senior Product Design Manager

2023-2024

Led design for AI-driven supply chain platforms tracking 3.2M+ daily shipments across Fortune 500 logistics teams. Designed human-in-the-loop ML automation products and shaped 0-to-1 vision across 3 emerging product lines.

Ziff Davis

Senior UI/UX Designer 2014-2018

Designer 2012-2014

Led design across high-traffic digital media brands including PCMag, IGN, Mashable, and Geek. Art directed and designed across multiple platforms, as well as the monthly PCMag digital magazine.

FourKites

Senior Product Design Manager

Designer 2012-2014

Led design across high-traffic digital media brands including PCMag, IGN, Mashable, and Geek. Art directed and designed across multiple platforms, as well as the monthly PCMag digital magazine.

AP Moller Maersk

Director of Product Design 2022-2023

Design Manager 2020-2022

Senior UX Designer 2018-2020

Owned end-to-end product design for a Maersk and IBM blockchain-powered global trade platform supporting documentation, shipment visibility, and regulatory compliance.

iPullRank

Senior Visual Designer

2018

Partnered with clients on SEO-driven UX enhancements, feature requests, and conversion improvements.. Conducted user testing and usability research along with design analysis in a fast-paced, SEO-focused agency.