About

Design with the whole system in mind.

I'm Chris, a product designer based in Richmond, VA. I've worked across energy, insurance, federal agencies, and education. Always wherever the software had real consequences. Now I'm finishing an MBA and building toward the work that sits at the intersection of design, business, and systems that matter.

Approach

I work as a translator between what users actually need, what the tech can do, and what the business has to get out of it. 

Lately the part I find most interesting is figuring out how to put generative AI inside complicated companies without making a mess. That's the spot where somebody has to decide what the system shouldn't do.

How I work

  1. 01

    Learn the domain

    I sit with the people doing the work. Planners, operators, auditors, analysts. I stay until I can describe their day in their words.

  2. 02

    Translate

    I map what the business needs, what users actually do, and what the tech can support onto the same page. The artifact is usually a shared vision.

  3. 03

    Design & ship

    I prototype against the real constraints, work in tight loops with engineering, and ship something the team can keep running.

  4. 04

    Measure & adjust

    Once it's live, I track whether it's actually changing the work. Then look for the next opportunity to innovate and improve the systems.

Education & Certifications

  • Master of Business Administration

    Longwood University

    Winter 2026

  • AI Strategy & Governance

    University of Pennsylvania

    Jan 2026

  • People Management Essentials

    Google Education

    Dec 2025

  • Generative AI Leadership

    Google Education

    Nov 2025

  • UX Strategy & Management

    Interaction Design Foundation

    Jul 2021

  • B.A. Media Arts & Design

    James Madison University

    Jul 2015

People who'll vouch for me

Happy to put you in touch with former teammates and managers who can speak to the work. Available on request:

  • Gregory Primosch

    Principal Product Manager, Clearcover

  • Erin Brooks

    VP of Innovation, DEVSIO

  • Cody Simms

    Senior Product Designer, Mission Lane

  • Saul Medrano

    Senior Product Manager, Clearcover

Outside the work

I live outside Richmond, Virginia with my wife and two young sons. We run a small family farm — slow, underground work, where the reward is measured in years.

Most of my time outside of work is outside. Gardening with the boys, building imaginary worlds in the woods behind the house.

I use a light phone on purpose.

  • The four of us.

    The four of us.

  • The garden mid-summer.

    The garden mid-summer.

  • Creek walk with the youngest.

    Creek walk with the youngest.

  • Fishing a creek.

    Fishing a creek.

Get in touch

Helping teams with product strategy, design leadership, and AI-informed UX. Based in Richmond, VA.

christopherjvelazquez@gmail.com← Back to work