Abby Aker

10+ years of experience designing with empathy and optimism for mission-driven organizations.

MediumRemote

Lead Product Designer, CreatorsOct 2021 - Present

I lead design and strategy on Medium’s Creators team to increase creator retention. The problems I solve vary widely in nature and include finding new and more predictable ways for creators to get paid, improving content deliverability and discoverability, and deepening relationships between creators and their fans. Research, experimentation, and iteration are at the core of how I design in this important moment for media and the creator economy.

Senior Product Designer, CreatorsOct 2020 - Oct 2021

See description above.

Senior Product Designer & Co-Product Manager, InboxJan 2020 - Oct 2020

In this dual role, I teamed with an Engineering Manager to lead Medium’s Inbox team. I owned the “what” and the “why” which meant I was responsible for the strategy, vision, design and performance of our email products for both creators and readers.

The Washington PostWashington, DC

Senior Product Designer, SubscriptionsAug 2018 – Jan 2020

I led the design of The Post’s subscriber experience. Through testing and iteration, I created experiences that made supporting The Post compelling, subscribing smooth and simple, and the reasons for subscribers to keep their subscription obvious.

Product Designer, SubscriptionsMay 2017 – Aug 2018

I directed digital marketing campaigns, used data to iteratively improve and user test purchase related flows, and designed reusable templates and tools for internal teams to sell or manage subscriptions.

ThreespotWashington, DC

Senior DesignerApr 2017 – May 2017

I collaborated closely with teams to generate strategic ideas and create elegant digital experiences that move brands forward. I also improved internal workflow structures so that handoff processes and other aspects of collaboration were more efficient.

DesignerSep 2014 – Apr 2017

I shaped online experiences and elevated brand stories by collaborating with internal teams and client teams. On certain projects, I took on roles beyond design including user experience design and front-end development.

Junior DesignerAug 2011 – Sep 2014

I worked alongside art directors and designers to turn ideas into creative solutions, extend brand systems, and assist with Threespot’s business development needs.

Past clients includeNational Parks Conservation Association, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, United Nations Environment Programme, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Business School, World Bank, Brookings, and more

Community Involvements

  • AIGA, Shine Mentor, 2017
  • Global Volunteers, Blackfeet American Indian reservation volunteer, 2017
  • Latin American Youth Center, Design class instructor, 2014
  • Anacostia High School, Green Zone Environmental program, Design instructor, 2014
  • Rochester Institute of Technology Women’s Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track Team Captain (3 seasons), 2011
  • Various running groups and races (ranging from 10k to marathon distances)
  • Skills

  • User-centered research, strategy, system design, information design, branding, illustration, hand lettering
  • ApplicationsFigma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, JIRA
  • LanguagesHTML, CSS
  • Awards & Accomplishments

  • Li Jin's Creator Economy Course, 2021
  • DCFemTech Design Award Recipient, 2019
  • The Washington Post's Engineering Innovation Award, May and September 2019
  • The Washington Post’s Publisher Award Nominee, September 2019
  • 1 website named Webisoft's 20+ Best Association Website Designs, 2018
  • National Parks Conservation Association
  • Potomac River Marathon, 1st place female in 8am group, 2018
  • Hot Cider Hustle 10k, 1st place female, 2017
  • Threespot Employee of the Month, 2016
  • 4 websites named EveryAction's 100 Best Nonprofit Website Designs, 2016
  • National Parks Conservation Association
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
  • Better Than Cash Alliance
  • Conrad Hilton Foundation
  • Empire 8 Cross Country Sportswoman of the Year, 2010
  • Monroe County Outstanding Asset-Builder, 2009
  • Education

  • Rochester Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2011
  • GPA3.86/4.0
  • MajorGraphic Design
  • MinorWeb Design and Development