Neil Dodd

Director of UX/UI at Crytek
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
Norwich, UK

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5.0

/5.0
/ Based on 37 ratings
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Katy Fyles Dell

Neil is an absolute pleasure to work with. He makes sound and swift decisions and his direct yet caring approach with his team is refreshing. He is well respected and you can see very quickly his team found it easy to speak to him both on a professional and personal level. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in UX/UI, this is perfectly combined with his loyalty and passion for his team. His mix of a no-nonsense attitude and a genuine care, means he not only supports but praises and shares in his team's success. From my own personal experience he gave me a great deal of encouragement and respect, enabling me the freedom to deliver change and improvements at John Lewis. He is open and confident with stakeholders with a strong drive and ambition for change. Working alongside Neil was a great experience and I hope to do it again one day if this opportunity doesn't arrive. I have gained not just a respected colleague but also a friend.

Gareth Holmes

I had the pleasure, quite literally, of working with and alongside Neil at Aviva during a reworking of our global design system. He was a fantastic person to work with and also spend time with, I learned a lot from him about not just how we can do things but why we should do things. He was as insightful as he was pragmatic and was able to achieve a balance between doing what worked for the business and what was best for the end user. Problems were approached as opportunities to improve and I took far more from our discussions than might have appeared when looking from the outside. We had plenty of heated discussions about what was best and I always valued his input and guidance. He drove me to be a better developer and helped to educate me on how design was far more than just "choosing a colour".

Jose Santos

I have a 12 years-long product design career in UK, and worked for a variety of companies across multiple industries, and I feel comfortable saying, Neil is one if not the best manager/head I have worked for/with. it's really rare to find someone who genuinely cares for the team they run, Neil understands people, processes, and design, and is an absolute ace at creating an environment for people to do the best work. Neil empowers the team to do what needs to be done, to be able to make decisions their own, and is always there for you when things are not going quite right. He is amazing at inspiring people and unlocking design thinking. Neil has a good understanding of the different skills/strengths within the team and is able to manage it efficiently to take the most out of it. Oh... and he is always very appreciative and people feel really good about the work they produce, making them want to do better every time. I absolutely recommend Neil to run any product team, he will transform it in the best team you ever had.

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Credentials

  • UX Foundations: Style Guides and Design Systems
    LinkedIn
    Aug, 2021
    - Nov, 2024
  • Accessibility for Web Design
    LinkedIn
    Jul, 2021
    - Nov, 2024
  • UX Foundations: Accessibility
    LinkedIn
    Jun, 2021
    - Nov, 2024

Experience

    • Germany
    • Computer Games
    • 400 - 500 Employee
    • Director of UX/UI
      • Sep 2023 - Present

    • United Kingdom
    • Retail
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Head of Omnichannel UI and Prototyping (Lead)
      • Sep 2021 - Sep 2023

      As the Head of Omnichannel UI, my team contributes to John Lewis’s strategy in creating a truly Omnichannel experience for our customers. We use UCD to create a digital first approach and my team collaborates with the content designers and Brand on all JL campaigns, we are the accessibility champions within the organisation. I have been the key stakeholder in the creation of the new digital JL brand, raising my teams profile within the organisation in doing so. I present team strategy and… Show more As the Head of Omnichannel UI, my team contributes to John Lewis’s strategy in creating a truly Omnichannel experience for our customers. We use UCD to create a digital first approach and my team collaborates with the content designers and Brand on all JL campaigns, we are the accessibility champions within the organisation. I have been the key stakeholder in the creation of the new digital JL brand, raising my teams profile within the organisation in doing so. I present team strategy and creative to c-suite exec. I’m also part of all creative sign off within the JL organisation. • Led the team for John Lewis New Digital Brand in collaboration of with Pentagram • Advocate and creation of the New John Lewis Design System • Accessibility champion within JL • Led the team to build a new Omnichannel UI team • Updated ways of working process (UCD) with the product team and optimised the design teams ways of working. Show less As the Head of Omnichannel UI, my team contributes to John Lewis’s strategy in creating a truly Omnichannel experience for our customers. We use UCD to create a digital first approach and my team collaborates with the content designers and Brand on all JL campaigns, we are the accessibility champions within the organisation. I have been the key stakeholder in the creation of the new digital JL brand, raising my teams profile within the organisation in doing so. I present team strategy and… Show more As the Head of Omnichannel UI, my team contributes to John Lewis’s strategy in creating a truly Omnichannel experience for our customers. We use UCD to create a digital first approach and my team collaborates with the content designers and Brand on all JL campaigns, we are the accessibility champions within the organisation. I have been the key stakeholder in the creation of the new digital JL brand, raising my teams profile within the organisation in doing so. I present team strategy and creative to c-suite exec. I’m also part of all creative sign off within the JL organisation. • Led the team for John Lewis New Digital Brand in collaboration of with Pentagram • Advocate and creation of the New John Lewis Design System • Accessibility champion within JL • Led the team to build a new Omnichannel UI team • Updated ways of working process (UCD) with the product team and optimised the design teams ways of working. Show less

    • United Kingdom
    • Financial Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • VP of Design
      • Nov 2020 - Jan 2022

      The VP of Design is part of the CPO’s Leadership Team; I’m responsible for owning Design and driving Design team development, Design execution and Design culture. • Upside’s digital brand development • Creation of Upside’s Design System & Design Principals • Design Leadership, Team Development and Mentoring • Creation of Upside’s Social Media and Website Design • Design Vision • Design Execution • Design Culture The VP of Design is part of the CPO’s Leadership Team; I’m responsible for owning Design and driving Design team development, Design execution and Design culture. • Upside’s digital brand development • Creation of Upside’s Design System & Design Principals • Design Leadership, Team Development and Mentoring • Creation of Upside’s Social Media and Website Design • Design Vision • Design Execution • Design Culture

    • United States
    • E-Learning Providers
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Independent UX/UI Design Leadership Consultant / Creative Director
      • Apr 2020 - Apr 2021

      My role at Coursera was to create and oversee their new Brand development across digital. Coursera’s design team had seen expediential growth over the last few years, which meant the UX / UI had become fragmented and inconsistent. Coursera’s Design organisation was relatively immature; I created new design processes and helped unify Design across the product. Coursera needed a Design System to align the new brand work and improve the product’s UX / UI design alignment. I built a small team of… Show more My role at Coursera was to create and oversee their new Brand development across digital. Coursera’s design team had seen expediential growth over the last few years, which meant the UX / UI had become fragmented and inconsistent. Coursera’s Design organisation was relatively immature; I created new design processes and helped unify Design across the product. Coursera needed a Design System to align the new brand work and improve the product’s UX / UI design alignment. I built a small team of specialist designers working solely on the Design System in London; I led and managed the team, working closely with the Design Org in Mountain View (San Francisco). We were responsible for component design and creation, documentation, product alignment and accessibility. • Coursera digital brand development • Creation of (CDS) Coursera Design System • Design Leadership and Mentoring of my UK team • Creation of Coursera Design Principals • Coursera Enterprise design development. Show less My role at Coursera was to create and oversee their new Brand development across digital. Coursera’s design team had seen expediential growth over the last few years, which meant the UX / UI had become fragmented and inconsistent. Coursera’s Design organisation was relatively immature; I created new design processes and helped unify Design across the product. Coursera needed a Design System to align the new brand work and improve the product’s UX / UI design alignment. I built a small team of… Show more My role at Coursera was to create and oversee their new Brand development across digital. Coursera’s design team had seen expediential growth over the last few years, which meant the UX / UI had become fragmented and inconsistent. Coursera’s Design organisation was relatively immature; I created new design processes and helped unify Design across the product. Coursera needed a Design System to align the new brand work and improve the product’s UX / UI design alignment. I built a small team of specialist designers working solely on the Design System in London; I led and managed the team, working closely with the Design Org in Mountain View (San Francisco). We were responsible for component design and creation, documentation, product alignment and accessibility. • Coursera digital brand development • Creation of (CDS) Coursera Design System • Design Leadership and Mentoring of my UK team • Creation of Coursera Design Principals • Coursera Enterprise design development. Show less

    • United Arab Emirates
    • Technology, Information and Internet
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Head of Product Design
      • Feb 2020 - May 2020

      Working out of Dubai (UAE), I led a small team of Product Designers on a B2B E-Commerce Startup. The company was in its infancy and had no Design infrastructure. I implemented new Design processes, brand design, UX/UI Design, team recruitment and started their design systems. I was required to be hands-on, and I designed many essential areas of the site. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, my role was displaced, and I returned to the UK. • Responsible for Tradeling Digital Brand •… Show more Working out of Dubai (UAE), I led a small team of Product Designers on a B2B E-Commerce Startup. The company was in its infancy and had no Design infrastructure. I implemented new Design processes, brand design, UX/UI Design, team recruitment and started their design systems. I was required to be hands-on, and I designed many essential areas of the site. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, my role was displaced, and I returned to the UK. • Responsible for Tradeling Digital Brand • Creation and production of the Tradeling Design System • Introduced UCD Design processes and Design Tools. Show less Working out of Dubai (UAE), I led a small team of Product Designers on a B2B E-Commerce Startup. The company was in its infancy and had no Design infrastructure. I implemented new Design processes, brand design, UX/UI Design, team recruitment and started their design systems. I was required to be hands-on, and I designed many essential areas of the site. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, my role was displaced, and I returned to the UK. • Responsible for Tradeling Digital Brand •… Show more Working out of Dubai (UAE), I led a small team of Product Designers on a B2B E-Commerce Startup. The company was in its infancy and had no Design infrastructure. I implemented new Design processes, brand design, UX/UI Design, team recruitment and started their design systems. I was required to be hands-on, and I designed many essential areas of the site. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, my role was displaced, and I returned to the UK. • Responsible for Tradeling Digital Brand • Creation and production of the Tradeling Design System • Introduced UCD Design processes and Design Tools. Show less

    • United Kingdom
    • Financial Services
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Global Head of UX, UX Research and Design
      • Jan 2019 - Feb 2020

      A multi-faceted hands-on designer that is leading a world-class (UI/UX) design org of over 60 designers worldwide. Skills include Creative Direction, UI/UX, UCD Process & Problem Solving, Team Development, Mentoring & Team Morale, Project management. I'm training to become an (ICF) Leadership Coach. Responsible for Aviva's Global Digital Design language and Design System, which has now been rolled out creating a unified Global online brand presence. A main stakeholder/contributor to the… Show more A multi-faceted hands-on designer that is leading a world-class (UI/UX) design org of over 60 designers worldwide. Skills include Creative Direction, UI/UX, UCD Process & Problem Solving, Team Development, Mentoring & Team Morale, Project management. I'm training to become an (ICF) Leadership Coach. Responsible for Aviva's Global Digital Design language and Design System, which has now been rolled out creating a unified Global online brand presence. A main stakeholder/contributor to the Brand team to develop a new Brand Tone of Voice for Aviva that creates a single look and feel for B2C and B2B online and offline which connects all of the business areas within Aviva. I work closely with the CEO and the Exec teams, the UX team, Development, BA's and the business to ensure the highest quality of work is produced by the team. Day to day, I'm responsible for the look and feel of all Digital products. Creating an online Style guide and an asset library that now has design and development parity. The work can be shared globally with the design team and external agencies, allowing us to build faster and with less technical debt https://standards.aviva.com/framework/ . I've created processes in the design team to ensure consistency, design thinking and customer centricity. Attention to detail, creativity and consistency is at the forefront of all our designs.

    • Head of Visual Design and Creative Services
      • Jun 2017 - Feb 2020

      A multi-faceted hands-on designer that is leading a world-class (UI) design org of over 60 visual designers worldwide. Skills include Creative Direction, UI/UX, Problem Solving, Project management, Team Development, Mentoring & Team Morale. I'm training to become an (ICF) Leadership Coach. Responsible for Aviva's Global Digital Design language and Design System, which has now been rolled out globally creating a unified online brand presence. A main stakeholder/contributor to the Brand… Show more A multi-faceted hands-on designer that is leading a world-class (UI) design org of over 60 visual designers worldwide. Skills include Creative Direction, UI/UX, Problem Solving, Project management, Team Development, Mentoring & Team Morale. I'm training to become an (ICF) Leadership Coach. Responsible for Aviva's Global Digital Design language and Design System, which has now been rolled out globally creating a unified online brand presence. A main stakeholder/contributor to the Brand team to develop a new Brand Tone of Voice for Aviva that creates a single look and feel for B2C and B2B online and offline which connects all of the business areas within Aviva.

    • Head Of Visual Design
      • May 2016 - Feb 2020

      In charge of a team of 25 Visual Designers across 3 sites (Norwich, London and Singapore). My team designs all aspects of Aviva's Digital World. Including, Responsive Website, App Design Web Banners etc. My main daily roles include developing the Digital Brand, Art Direction, Web and App Design, building individual and team morale, solving design problems.

    • General Manager (GM)
      • Oct 2018 - Aug 2019

      Part Time General Manager of the Birmingham Bulls. Coordinating daily operations of each team, working with the relevant committee stakeholders and delivery of marketing to ensure a sustainable product is offered at each level Coordinate with Gameday Manager/Treasurer to ensure each fixture is sufficiently manned, medics, chain crew, officials Coordinate completion of player and coaches contracts and qualifications Actively assist Chairman in coordination of Coaches Development… Show more Part Time General Manager of the Birmingham Bulls. Coordinating daily operations of each team, working with the relevant committee stakeholders and delivery of marketing to ensure a sustainable product is offered at each level Coordinate with Gameday Manager/Treasurer to ensure each fixture is sufficiently manned, medics, chain crew, officials Coordinate completion of player and coaches contracts and qualifications Actively assist Chairman in coordination of Coaches Development Group, ensuring the development plan is enacted and that coaches are suitably engaged and advancing/learning Oversee attendance and players subs at each level, working with HC’s & Committee to enforce player contracts where applicable Assisting Chairman with grant and other funding applications Show less Part Time General Manager of the Birmingham Bulls. Coordinating daily operations of each team, working with the relevant committee stakeholders and delivery of marketing to ensure a sustainable product is offered at each level Coordinate with Gameday Manager/Treasurer to ensure each fixture is sufficiently manned, medics, chain crew, officials Coordinate completion of player and coaches contracts and qualifications Actively assist Chairman in coordination of Coaches Development… Show more Part Time General Manager of the Birmingham Bulls. Coordinating daily operations of each team, working with the relevant committee stakeholders and delivery of marketing to ensure a sustainable product is offered at each level Coordinate with Gameday Manager/Treasurer to ensure each fixture is sufficiently manned, medics, chain crew, officials Coordinate completion of player and coaches contracts and qualifications Actively assist Chairman in coordination of Coaches Development Group, ensuring the development plan is enacted and that coaches are suitably engaged and advancing/learning Oversee attendance and players subs at each level, working with HC’s & Committee to enforce player contracts where applicable Assisting Chairman with grant and other funding applications Show less

  • FreeStyleGames
    • Leamington Spa
    • Lead UX/UI Artist
      • Jul 2013 - Apr 2016

      Guitar Hero Live (PS4 / XBOX ONE / PS3 / XBOX360 / WiiU / IOS) BAFTA Nomination Call Of Duty Online (PC) Lead User Interface Artist on GuitarHero Live and Call Of Duty Online. Responsible for the UX and UI Art team for the UI, front ends and Huds of both games. CoDo: Liaising with project leaders at 3 world wide studios. Core Skills 3D and 2D User Interface Design, User Experience, Screen Flow and Navigation, Graphic Design, Studio Management, Leadership… Show more Guitar Hero Live (PS4 / XBOX ONE / PS3 / XBOX360 / WiiU / IOS) BAFTA Nomination Call Of Duty Online (PC) Lead User Interface Artist on GuitarHero Live and Call Of Duty Online. Responsible for the UX and UI Art team for the UI, front ends and Huds of both games. CoDo: Liaising with project leaders at 3 world wide studios. Core Skills 3D and 2D User Interface Design, User Experience, Screen Flow and Navigation, Graphic Design, Studio Management, Leadership, Typography, Logo and Brand Creation, UI Art Direction, People Management, Team Development and Mentoring, Interviewing and Project Planning. I'm a highly motivated Leader and was responsible for the UI Art teams high standards. I have a strong work ethic with the ability to liaise with the studio heads, design and code teams alike. I aim to provide creative solutions and create successful interfaces. I balance aesthetics and usability to create an intuitive and immersive experience. Show less Guitar Hero Live (PS4 / XBOX ONE / PS3 / XBOX360 / WiiU / IOS) BAFTA Nomination Call Of Duty Online (PC) Lead User Interface Artist on GuitarHero Live and Call Of Duty Online. Responsible for the UX and UI Art team for the UI, front ends and Huds of both games. CoDo: Liaising with project leaders at 3 world wide studios. Core Skills 3D and 2D User Interface Design, User Experience, Screen Flow and Navigation, Graphic Design, Studio Management, Leadership… Show more Guitar Hero Live (PS4 / XBOX ONE / PS3 / XBOX360 / WiiU / IOS) BAFTA Nomination Call Of Duty Online (PC) Lead User Interface Artist on GuitarHero Live and Call Of Duty Online. Responsible for the UX and UI Art team for the UI, front ends and Huds of both games. CoDo: Liaising with project leaders at 3 world wide studios. Core Skills 3D and 2D User Interface Design, User Experience, Screen Flow and Navigation, Graphic Design, Studio Management, Leadership, Typography, Logo and Brand Creation, UI Art Direction, People Management, Team Development and Mentoring, Interviewing and Project Planning. I'm a highly motivated Leader and was responsible for the UI Art teams high standards. I have a strong work ethic with the ability to liaise with the studio heads, design and code teams alike. I aim to provide creative solutions and create successful interfaces. I balance aesthetics and usability to create an intuitive and immersive experience. Show less

    • United Kingdom
    • Computer Games
    • 300 - 400 Employee
    • Lead User Interface Artist
      • Dec 2010 - Jul 2013

      As Lead UI Artist at Codemasters, I was responsible for a team of 16. My daily skills included; UI Art Direction, Workload Planning and Team Development across all of Codemasters internal projects. F1 2013 (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC) GRID 2 (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC) 2 Unannounced Racing Title F1 2012 (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC) BAFTA Nomination F1 Race Stars (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC / IOS) RaceNet UI Art Lead January 2011 - August 2011 F1 2011 (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC) BAFTA… Show more As Lead UI Artist at Codemasters, I was responsible for a team of 16. My daily skills included; UI Art Direction, Workload Planning and Team Development across all of Codemasters internal projects. F1 2013 (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC) GRID 2 (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC) 2 Unannounced Racing Title F1 2012 (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC) BAFTA Nomination F1 Race Stars (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC / IOS) RaceNet UI Art Lead January 2011 - August 2011 F1 2011 (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC) BAFTA Nomination Responsible for providing 3D and 2D UI Art Direction and producing art for concepting and implementation.

    • Senior User Interface Artist
      • Apr 2010 - Dec 2010

      Operation Flashpoint - Red River (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC) Bodycount (XBOX360 / PS3 / PC)

    • United Kingdom
    • Advertising Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Senior Designer / Studio Manager
      • Jan 2001 - Apr 2010

      • Daily and Weekly Workflow Planning, Production Workflow Guardian of Rave's design and Artwork Quality • Main contact for the Studio with Account Management • Senior Graphic Designer & Senior Artworker. Carlsberg, DHL, Corgi, JLT Insurance, Polaris ATVs, Yamaha, Victory Motorcycles, Swinton, Cisco, Irwin Tools, De Montford University, Britax. • Daily and Weekly Workflow Planning, Production Workflow Guardian of Rave's design and Artwork Quality • Main contact for the Studio with Account Management • Senior Graphic Designer & Senior Artworker. Carlsberg, DHL, Corgi, JLT Insurance, Polaris ATVs, Yamaha, Victory Motorcycles, Swinton, Cisco, Irwin Tools, De Montford University, Britax.

    • United Kingdom
    • Advertising Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Creative Artworker Birmingham
      • Apr 2000 - Dec 2000

      Creative Artworker and Birmingham Studio Manager. Leeds United Football Club, Marley Roof Tiles, Record Tools Creative Artworker and Birmingham Studio Manager. Leeds United Football Club, Marley Roof Tiles, Record Tools

    • Creative Artworker
      • Apr 1998 - 2000

      Creative Artworker. Lloyds TSB, Peugeot, Home Service, Wesleyan Insurance, Birmingham Assay Office Creative Artworker. Lloyds TSB, Peugeot, Home Service, Wesleyan Insurance, Birmingham Assay Office

    • United Kingdom
    • Advertising Services
    • Junior Designer
      • Jan 1997 - Apr 1998

      Graphic Designer and Artworker. Aston University, Aston Science Park, Francis Graves, BRMB. Graphic Designer and Artworker. Aston University, Aston Science Park, Francis Graves, BRMB.

Education

  • University of Wolverhampton
    BA Hons, Graphic Communication
    1993 - 1996
  • Stafford College
    BTEC National Diploma, Graphic Design
    1991 - 1992

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