# Gil Finkelstein > AI-Native Product & Design Leader | Building at the Edge of What’s Possible Location: San Francisco, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/gilfinkelstein Driven by design, I create user experiences that connect, engage, and transform. With over 17 years of experience navigating the ever-evolving landscape of UX design, I've honed my skills in leadership, innovation, and user-centricity. From building and leading high-performing teams to crafting products used by millions, my passion lies in unlocking the power of design to drive business growth and enrich lives. Here's what sets me apart: - A proven track record of success: Increased user signups by 700%, and built robust design systems. - A deep understanding of user behavior: Utilize data-driven research and iteration to create experiences that resonate deeply. - A collaborative and communicative leader: Foster a culture of innovation and empowerment within design teams. - A commitment to continuous learning: Always exploring the latest trends and technologies to stay ahead of the curve. I'm passionate about partnering with visionary leaders to elevate user experiences to new heights. Fuel business growth through strategic design thinking, and build a world where design makes a positive impact. ## Work Experience ### Co-Founder & CPO @ Appik Jan 2025 – Jan 2026 | Silicon Valley • Co-founded Appik, a Silicon Valley startup focused on democratizing iOS app creation through AI-native experience architecture. • Led the design strategy for a no-code/low-code platform, enabling users to generate SwiftUI code from natural language descriptions. • Managed the full product lifecycle, from user research to Agile iterations, ensuring timely delivery to the App Store. ### Head of Design @ Scarf Jan 2023 – Jan 2025 • Defined the North Star UX vision for a B2B SaaS developer analytics platform, integrating design thinking into product strategy. • Built and scaled the design function from the ground up, establishing a strong design culture and delivery standards. • Established a design ops framework that reduced design-to-engineering handoff cycle time ### Mentor @ adplist.org Jan 2021 – Jan 2024 Over 20 years I've mentored 100+ designers and I still believe the best investment a design leader can make is in the people around them. ### VP of UX & Design @ Openbase (YC S20) Jan 2020 – Jan 2023 | San Francisco Bay Area • Defined and executed a customer-led product strategy, scaling Openbase from 0 to 500K+ monthly active users. • Led a cross-functional team, enhancing design capabilities to support a rapidly growing developer community. • Implemented a structured UX research framework, driving a 700% increase in signups through usability testing and real-time feedback. ### Head Of Design @ Juno Inc. Jan 2019 – Jan 2019 • Led a team of 5 UX designers on a B2C ride-sharing platform, enhancing Agile workflows. • Mentored team members to improve design output velocity and foster professional growth. • Implemented research-driven UX optimizations, resulting in a 13% increase in user registrations. ### VP of UX & Design @ Tingz Jan 2019 – Jan 2019 | Herzliya Area, Israel • Spearheaded enterprise UX strategy for high-profile clients including IMAX, Isracard, and Johnson & Johnson. • Delivered comprehensive multi-product design solutions, contributing to the acquisition of multi-million dollar contracts. • Served as a strategic UX advisor, collaborating with C-suite executives to shape product visions and roadmaps. ### Art Director @ keshet tv Jan 2017 – Jan 2018 | Tel Aviv Area, Israel • Led digital UX for Israel's top news platform, managing a 16-member in-house studio. • Directed a diverse team of UX designers, animators, illustrators, and marketing specialists. • Spearheaded the transition to an in-house design model, enhancing operational efficiency. • Oversaw hiring, performance management, and creative operations to optimize team performance. ### Vice Chairman @ Graphic Designers Association of Israel Jan 2016 – Jan 2018 ### Art Director @ Airobotics Jan 2016 – Jan 2016 | Petah Tikva • Designed real-time data visualization and observability interfaces for autonomous drone operations. • Enhanced operator efficiency and system monitoring through innovative UX solutions. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced AI and robotics startup environment. ### Founder & VP Creative @ Logo5024 Jan 2012 – Jan 2016 | Israel • Founded Israel's first low-cost branding agency, Logo5024, revolutionizing brand creation for SMBs. • Delivered over 25,000 client projects, enhancing accessibility to premium branding solutions. • Developed a proprietary AI-driven customization algorithm to streamline branding processes. ### Lead Designer @ Viaccess-Orca Jan 2015 – Jan 2016 | Raanana ### Founder | Creative Director @ BRANDZE Jan 2012 – Jan 2015 Our creative solution was developing zeBot, The AI solution to eliminate trial and error and minimize revisions, saving you time and money. ### Design Lead @ Fashion TV Jan 2011 – Jan 2012 | Israel ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/finkelsteingil - Portfolio: https://www.gilfinkelstein.com/ --- Source: https://flows.cv/gilfinkelstein JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/gilfinkelstein/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13