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Nuno C.

Design Leadership at the Intersection Product Design and Design Engineering. From Google DeepMind, Google Health, and Meta/WhatsApp.

Hi everyone, nice to meet you!

Here is a bit about how I work:

Make it Real:

I work fast, super fast, and focus on making ideas real. I create several high-fidelity prototypes or videos, not just static mocks. I like to stay open to different directions and iterate relentlessly without being tied to assumptions.

One Band:

I prefer to be embedded in your team and workflow with a dedicated email, account in your Slack, Linear, GitHub, or any tools you use. One team, one band.

Timezone Flex:

I flex my working hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays to sync with teams in the West Coast, East Coast, or Europe.

Dedicated Point-of-Contact:

I work with only with one team at a time. To move quickly, I prefer my primary point of contact to be the CEO, CTO, or CDO.

My primary focus areas are product discovery, onboarding optimization, and retention. I also help with design hiring and building career ladders. Recently, I’ve been focusing heavily on brand/pitching and streamlining onboarding flows.

If interested, book some time via Go Fractional or on my Google Cal: https://calendar.app.google/1C762tYV7V4Jyhc9A

I combine the unique expertise of working with tech giants like Google DeepMind and Meta on brand new world-scale problems, to fast and nimble YC-backed startups like Thread. Right now, from Tokyo, I am setting up an agency dedicated to fractional product design and design-engineering services while also building my own bootstrapped products. I bridge the worlds of big tech and startups, Software Development and Design, to create products that enrich lives through simple, thoughtful, and delightful design.

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Nuno C.

Experience

Aug 2025 — Present

Heart

Founder, Director

Heart is my independent fractional design practice. I help clients, bring designers under my umbrella, build our own tools, offerings, sprints, playbooks, etc. I'm also shaping what a design-engineering offering might look like for early-stage teams.

  • Established a design company from the ground up, overseeing strategy, operations, and marketing.
  • Collaborated with a global network of designers, engineers, and strategists to deliver innovative solutions for startups.
  • Initiated new offerings and services, positioning Heart as a future leader in fractional design and design-engineering services.
Sep 2025 — Nov 2025
Antler

Antler

Founder in Residence

Antler is a global early-stage venture capital firm that invests in the world's most exceptional founders.

  • Participated in the JPN5 cohort, developing and pitching various business ideas to potential investors.
  • Collaborated with other founders to refine product concepts and strategic plans.
  • Decided to exit the program to pursue independent entrepreneurial ventures.
Jan 2021 — Jun 2024
WhatsApp

WhatsApp

Product Designer

WhatsApp is a global messaging application owned by Meta, used by over 2 billion people worldwide.

  • Led the design and successful launch of WhatsApp Business Directory, evolving it into WhatsApp Business Search for global rollouts.
  • Redesigned the inbox management system for businesses by integrating chat labels as inbox filters.
  • Enhanced the user onboarding and first-message experience for business users.
  • Left WhatsApp in mid-2024 to relocate to Japan and start a new company.
Apr 2019 — Nov 2020
Google

Google

Senior UX Designer

Led design for the DeepMind Health, and later on Google Health Team. Experience as an IC (4 and 5) and Design Manager.

  • Facilitated the integration of Streams features into Google Care Studio's mobile application.
  • Designed COVID-19 hospital dashboards, earning the Google Award for Excellence.
  • Collaborated on the creation of material icons and data visualization patterns for healthcare.
  • Resigned in late 2020 to focus on new opportunities in digital communication.
  • Worked on an AI diagnostic tool prototype, advancing clinical care pathways.
  • Collaborated on creating the Streams design system and improved COVID-19 results viewing.
  • Redesigned patient alerts inbox and managed the development of patient list features.
  • Led a material redesign for Streams, a healthcare platform that transitioned into Google Care Studio.
Sep 2015 — Jan 2017
Self-employed

Self-employed

Product Design Consultant & Independent App Developer

Self-employed professionals provide a range of independent services across industries.

  • Provided product design and advisory services for startups and major companies like IDEO and Rival Schools.
  • Facilitated design sprints and web development projects for clients such as ASICS and Bento Graphics.
  • Launched 'Currency', a minimalist app attracting over 28k downloads with a high satisfaction rating.
Jun 2014 — Oct 2015
Thread.com

Thread.com

Product Designer & Front-End Web Developer

Thread is a personalized clothing service combining AI and stylist expertise to deliver tailored fashion recommendations.

  • Spearheaded onboarding redesign, significantly increasing new user order value by 49%.
  • Revamped profile preference settings, improving average outfit ratings amongst users.
  • Developed a mobile-focused design system to enhance user experience for 67% mobile users.
  • Led design and development of various UI components, optimizing user engagement.
Jun 2012 — Mar 2014
ustwo™

ustwo™

User Interface Designer

Ustwo is a global digital product studio known for innovative and impactful design solutions.

  • Designed the UI for American Express loyalty app, integrating new features and prototypes.
  • Developed a campaign manager interface for Sony VAIO, enhancing user experience.
  • Contributed to UI development for Barclays Pingit, focusing on web user interactions.
Sep 2008 — May 2012
Self-employed

Self-employed

Freelance UI Designer & Front-End Web Developer

  • Developed and deployed Magento and Shopify online stores for various clients like Paul Cocksedge Studio.
  • Led front-end development for significant brand website launches, enhancing digital presence.
  • Partnered with prominent studios like RoAndCo and ustwo, refining their digital interfaces.