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Design with a purpose.

I help mission-driven teams simplify, reduce friction, and elevate their product—guided by mindfulness, systems thinking, and a commitment to social good.

FEATURED WORK

Person holding phone

Duo Mobile as Trusted

Simplifying authentication to lower support overhead and improve adoption.

computer with welcome email

Sentinel SafeGuard

Building a user journey that earns trust and drives customer conversion.

laptop with website open

Verta Prime

Optimizing the application experience to speed completion and reduce burden.

designers at a shared desk

Design Critique at Duo

Elevating craft and transparency to improve design outcomes.

ABOUT ME

Portrait of Desmond
Playing Chess
Playing Bass Guitar
Desmond at Austin Zen Center

I’m a punk rocker, meditation practitioner, chess player, freelance graphic designer, and Marine Corps Reserve veteran. It might be a weird mix—but trust me, it works.

 

Anyway, I’ve always been a creative kid, and when it came time to choose a major in college, graphic design beat out “starving painter.” After school, I freelanced—designing websites, record layouts, and merch for bands and indie labels in Boston. I eventually made my way to Austin and landed my first “real” design gig at frog. UX pulled me in, and I’ve been in the mix ever since.

 

My design process is informed by mindfulness and humility, both shaped by my daily meditation practice. It helps me stay grounded under pressure, keep perspective, and maintain a learner’s mindset.

 

Design is just one part of how I show up in the world. I stay involved in my local music scene, I draw and write tunes for the fun of it, and I volunteer with a support group for people in addiction recovery. Whether I’m designing a product, offering feedback, or showing up for my community—I do it with intention.

EXPERIENCE

Sr. DesignOps Program Manager

CISCO

DEC 2020 - JAN 2025

Senior Product Designer

DUO SECURITY

JUL 2018 - DEC 2020

UX Designer, Contract

INDEED

MAR 2018 - MAY 2018

Senior Designer

ARGODESIGN

JUL 2015 - JUL 2017

Assoc. Creative Director

SPREDFAST

JUN 2013 - MAR 2015

Senior Designer

MASS RELEVANCE

MAR 2012 - JUN 2013

UX/UI Designer, Contract

SPACECRAFT

AUG 2011 - MAR 2012

Visual Designer

FROG

FEB 2004 - APR 2011

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Desmond has a wealth of experience marked by a fresh perspective and expertise in enhancing processes and fostering collaboration across teams. The thing that always stood out to me about him was his infectiously calm demeanor. Even in the most stressful or chaotic of situations, he had an ability to lower the temp in a high stress situation.

SARAH MARSHALL, DIRECTOR OF DESIGN OPERATIONS, CISCO

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Portfolio content copyright respective companies and agencies.

All other content © 2025 Desmond Connolly

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