# Drew Walcott > AI for Design @ Visa Location: San Francisco, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/drewwalcott Highly accomplished and multidisciplinary designer with 12+ years of experience, specializing in industrial design, UX/Product design, and strategic integration of AI/Generative AI. Proven leader in pioneering new functions, driving data-informed design practices, and cultivating cross-functional partnerships to deliver scalable, high-quality design solutions. Adept at translating complex insights into compelling narratives and impactful stories and strategies, fostering meaningful connections between brands, partners, and consumers. ## Work Experience ### Senior Staff Design Engineer @ Visa Jan 2024 – Present | Foster City, California, United States Pioneering the strategic direction and implementation of Generative AI tooling within Visa's global design organization, leading in a new horizontal function to revolutionize design processes at scale. Orchestrating initiatives to integrate Generative AI capabilities across the entire design ecosystem, significantly impacting workflow, design asset creation, and overall product development velocity. Driving the application of data and analytics to inform and optimize Generative AI in global design tooling practices, ensuring evidence-based decision-making and measurable improvements in design quality and efficiency. Leveraging senior-level expertise in human-centered design strategy, design processes, and workflow optimization (user research, prototyping, testing, iteration), adapting methodologies to harness AI tooling. Cultivating impactful cross-functional partnerships across Global Design, business units, and enterprise-wide AI initiatives, articulating complex design and AI strategies to diverse technical and non-technical audiences. ### Senior UX Design Manager @ Visa Jan 2022 – Jan 2024 | San Francisco Bay Area Spearheaded end-to-end UX/Product design for new business ventures within an agile incubation hub, driving rapid concept-to-launch cycles for potential multi-billion dollar opportunities. Directed advanced user research and design thinking initiatives to uncover deep user insights, directly informing and shaping the strategic direction of new product development. Expertly crafted and validated high-fidelity prototypes and scalable design systems using industry-standard tools (Figma, Adobe CS, Chat GPT), streamlining development workflows and ensuring precise execution of customer experiences. Fostered a collaborative, cross-functional environment, effectively partnering with Residence General Managers, Product Managers, and engineering teams to accelerate innovation and market readiness. Translated complex insights into compelling visual narratives and actionable strategies, influencing key stakeholders and driving critical design decisions ### Industrial Design Manager @ Dolby Laboratories Jan 2022 – Jan 2022 | United States ### Senior Industrial Designer @ Dolby Laboratories Jan 2020 – Jan 2022 | San Francisco Bay Area ### Designer @ Dolby Laboratories Jan 2018 – Jan 2020 | San Francisco Bay Area Co-lead visual direction, interaction design, focusing on personas, user flows, and wireframing for the Dolby XP application. Collaborated on cross-functional teams to bring products and experiences to market including Dolby Dimension headphones, Dolby Voice Room, along with Developed and lead priority initiatives like the design of Dolby Soho Experience Store 2018. Dolby Artist Experience at the 2019 American Music Awards, NAMM 2022, and 2018 - 2022 Consumer Electronics Show experiential design and experience. Coordinated with internal and external engineering/manufacturing teams throughout the design process to mitigate risk and devise strategies for product scalability. Led development of internal CMF tool kit and strategy applied to products and experiences for Dolby Soho and Dolby Dimension headphones. Recognition: Red Dot Award: Dolby Dimension; BizBash Event Style Award: Dolby Soho. ### Industrial Designer @ Dolby Laboratories Jan 2016 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco Bay Area Directed product design from concept to delivery, refining the user experience throughout the lifecycle using rapid prototyping and testing. Managed collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure the final product met design standards while optimizing for production and scalability. Set the strategic direction for materials and finishes, utilizing moodboards and detailed evaluations to align brand vision with durability and cost goals. Authored and formalized the brand's physical design standards, ensuring a consistent visual identity and high quality across the entire product portfolio. ### Industrial Design Intern @ frog Jan 2015 – Jan 2015 Translated complex product concepts into compelling visual narratives for stakeholders and clients using high-fidelity storyboards and advanced visualization techniques. Led rapid concept visualization and iteration through quick-sketch techniques and detailed CAD to accelerate early-stage form development and decision-making. Directed external communication of design intent and material strategy (CMF) in client-facing presentations to secure approval and align on product functionality. Consulted closely with mechanical engineering teams, utilizing highly-refined "A-side" CAD modeling to ensure design intent and manufacturability were seamlessly integrated. ### Industrial Design Intern @ LUNAR Europe GmbH Jan 2014 – Jan 2015 Developed functional mid-fidelity models to clearly communicate core concept architecture, ergonomics and function to senior leadership and clients. Crafted compelling presentations to clearly articulate design intent and business alignment through, design vision, and strategic rationale to both technical and non-technical audiences. Lead detailed Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) specification documents, including material samples and manufacturing requirements, to guide production. ### Product Design Intern @ Perfect Fitness Jan 2014 – Jan 2014 | Sausalito, California, United States Led product conceptualization for a new line of fitness equipment, driving the design vision from initial concept to detailed specification. Directed end-to-end equipment design utilizing sketching, 3D modeling, and production-ready CAD to establish final form and functionality. Managed vendor communications by generating and reviewing comprehensive spec sheets to ensure manufacturing quality and alignment with design intent. Played a critical role in the development-to-market process, successfully launching two new products that expanded the client's commercial portfolio. ### Media Center Monitor/ Media Technician @ California College of the Arts Jan 2013 – Jan 2013 | San Francisco Bay Area Supporting the media room by delivering customer service, and resources for general student and faculty enrolled at the institution. Pioneered media enabled room and labs maintenance. Enabling the AV media team to be proactive in addressing room in efficiencies ### Freelance Designer @ Preston Bailey Jan 2010 – Jan 2012 | Manhattan, New York Collaborated in conceptual development and theme generation for design elements in client-facing weddings and projects and events, integrating cultural significance research and design trends, emotional context, and material feasibility. Directed the visual narrative for events, utilizing 3D modeling and high-fidelity Photoshop rendering to produce compelling visual representations for client and leadership approval. Developed comprehensive project briefs and event mood boards, compiling research and visual assets into cohesive presentations that defined the creative and material strategy. Documented and showcased final event execution through high-quality professional photography, ensuring successful communication of the delivered design vision. ## Education ### Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Industrial and Product Design California College of the Arts ### Industrial design Academy of Art University ### High School Diploma in focus GCSE Ardenne High School ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drewwalcott --- Source: https://flows.cv/drewwalcott JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/drewwalcott/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13