👋🏼 I’m Noel Childs. I lead and scale experience design teams focused on building connected product ecosystems that are human-centric and model friendly from early-stage concepts through enterprise-scale platforms.
As SVP and Head of Experience Design in Chicago, I oversee multidisciplinary teams across experience design, product design, and innovation—partnering closely with product and development leadership to define strategy, shape roadmaps and deliver high impact digital experiences across a diverse portfolio.
My daily design craft is interconnected across product design, brand, and emerging technologies. I’ve led large scale ecosystem transformations, guided teams through ambiguity and helped organizations evolve how they design, build and ship experiences in increasingly complex environments.
A core focus of my work is the integration of AI into the design process and the products themselves. I actively explore how AI is reshaping creativity, collaboration, and the role of designers on my projects.
I’m specifically focused on Design Intelligence:
Building and mentoring high-performing design teams (including developing design leaders)
Defining product design strategy across interconnected platforms
Exploring how AI transforms workflows, interfaces and collaboration
I also produce and host a monthly design podcast called A76, which I created to explore the ever-changing shift in our industry, synthesizing surprising connections and speculating on the future of design. I do this through thematic seasons, showcasing talented designers and adjacent makers who all share my desire to have deeper design conversations.
When I’m not designing, I’m running marathons, cheering Arsenal FC on and spending time with my wife, 3 daughters, 3 cats and 2 doggos in the historic district of Sycamore, Illinois.
noel@noelchilds.com
linkedin.com/in/noelchilds
Work experience
DIGITAS
SVP Group Experience Design Director // Head of Design Chicago
January 2016—Present
Experience Design Capability Lead for the Chicago office.
9INE
Director, Designer & Founder
September 2013—December 2015
Creative strategy, branding & positioning, innovation & experiential design
SLACK & CO.
Project Senior Designer
March 2013—December 2015
Strategically designing, guiding, and crafting user experience designs for integrated campaigns, across print & digital.
MADDOCK DOUGLAS
VP of Innovation, Creative
September 2008—March 2013
Innovation, branding and design of new products, services and business models from concept to launch.
FUSION IDEA LAB
Creative Director
September 2002—August 2008
Branding, design & broadcast advertising.
LEAPNET
Associate Creative Director
October 2000—September 2002
Branding, online design of integrated campaigns.
GOLIN/HARRIS INTERNATIONAL
Senior Art Director
September 1999—September 2000
Branding, design & advertising of integrated campaigns.
VSA PARTNERS
Graphic Designer
September 1997—December 1997
Art Direction & design for print campaigns and annual reports.
PETERTIL DESIGN PARTNERS
Art Director
January 1998—August 2000
Branding & design of integrated campaigns.
TANGENT DESIGN
Graphic Designer
October 1995—September 1997
Art Direction & design for boutique design studio.
BOOM
Designer and Co-founder
September 1994—September 1995
Small startup focusing on design for music industry in Chicago.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
BFA, Graphic Design
1989—1993
DIGITAL
AI Thinking & Tools
Figma
Prototyping
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Marketing Cloud
Sketch
Microsoft Office
Multiple CMS Platforms
SPECIALTIES
Experience Design
AI Empowered UX
Design Thinking & Innovation
Product & Platform Design
Visual Design
Branding & Positioning Strategy
iOS Design
Idea & Product Development
R&D Methodology
Workshop Facilitation
PERSONAL
Runner
Supporter of the Arts
Arsenal FC fan
Ferocious reader