# Krispin Leydon > Research, Design & Engineering; ex-Tesla, Disney, Pixar & Angaza Location: San Carlos, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/krispin I grew up on a farm between a design studio and a machine shop, and have pursued intersections of design, technology, and the natural world ever since. Professionally, I've led interaction design for Walt Disney Animation, designed the UI for Tesla's first car, and helped Angaza enable affordable solar energy access for 20M+ households off the grid. Along the way, I've taught English in Venezuela, conducted field research in Kenya and India, and designed visualizations for utility-scale energy storage systems that now bolster electrical grids from Texas to Australia. I studied Engineering and Animation at Dartmouth College, and earned my Masters at the University of Limerick, through research collaborations with the European Media Lab and MIT. When not taming technology for human use, I enjoy cooking with friends, daydreaming on train rides, and walking in the woods. My last long walk led over two thousand miles through fourteen states; from Georgia to Maine along the Appalachian Trail. ## Work Experience ### Staff UI/UX Designer @ Gradient Jan 2023 – Present | San Francisco Bay Area Shaping indoor climate experiences, for an improved outdoor climate future. Led UI design on the world's first all-weather window-mount heat pump, to help retrofit our cities for cleaner, safer, and more affordable heating and cooling. Designed intuitive controls (remote, mobile, and appliance), serving the needs of children through grandparents, as well as web-based "fleet" controls for responsible whole-building management. Assisted in firmware and hardware development, and educational outreach. ### Consulting Product UI/UX Designer @ Epicore Biosystems Jan 2022 – Present | Remote (SF / Boston) Adapting the electrolyte sensing technology trusted by pro athletes (e.g. Lionel Messi, Serena Williams) for a category-defining wearable/mobile platform protecting industrial workers during an era of climate change. UI design, mentoring, consulting. ### Principal UI/UX Designer @ Doosan GridTech Jan 2020 – Jan 2021 | Remote (Seattle), from San Francisco Bay Area Overcoming intermittency in renewable electricity generation, through intelligent utility-scale energy storage. Designed software that enables people to visualize, predict, and respond to opportunities in energy markets. ### Senior Interaction Designer @ Pixar Animation Studios Jan 2016 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco Bay Area Served as the primary interaction designer for Pixar's Presto Animation System. Designed and refined tools used by artists studio-wide. ### Lead Designer/Developer @ Angaza Design Jan 2014 – Jan 2016 | San Francisco, CA and Nairobi, Kenya Designed and developed web/mobile/sms/embedded systems to enable pay-as-you-go solar electric lighting to compete with kerosene on price, in off-grid markets. Conducted field research in rural Kenya and India. ### Lead Interaction Designer @ Walt Disney Animation Studios Jan 2009 – Jan 2013 Designed software tools for artists working at all stages in animated feature film production; from Story through Post Production. Conducted user research. Developed firmware and hardware for experimental controls and motion capture devices. Supported Academy Award-winning shorts and feature films. ### Lead UI Designer / Firmware Developer @ Tesla Motors Jan 2005 – Jan 2008 Designed and developed the graphical user interface for the world's first production electric sports car. Coordinated design of vehicle sound effects, collaborated in vehicle behaviors specification. Bridged communications between engineering, design, marketing, test, documentation and legal teams. ### Product Design, Concept Prototyping Team @ Synaptics Jan 2005 – Jan 2005 Conducted user research, prototyped interface concepts for satellite radio systems. Assisted in early-stage design of mobile music cell phones, multimedia keyboards and console game controllers. ### Research Officer @ Interaction Design Centre Jan 2001 – Jan 2004 | Limerick, Ireland Designed experimental user interfaces, researched self-organizing networks, developed a motion capture system in collaboration with the European Media Lab and MIT. Sketched storyboards for the EU's Future and Emerging Technologies Program. ### Web Design/Development @ TAEdge Jan 1999 – Jan 2000 Assisted in the design and development of a web portal for the American Society of Travel Agents. Revised navigation and layout for an on-line "site builder". ### Animation Assistant @ Dartmouth Animation & Film Studies Jan 2000 – Jan 2000 Assisted student animators to realize narrative visions through traditional and computer-aided techniques. Designed tools and provided technical support for animation at Dartmouth College. ### Software Developer @ Thayer Engineering Jan 1999 – Jan 1999 Developed 3D modeling & visualization software for students at Dartmouth College. ### Teacher & Coordinator @ Las Colinas High School, Barquisimeto Venezuela Jan 1997 – Jan 1998 Created and implemented an English language program for Venezuelan students at multiple levels. Taught reading, writing, grammatical and functional skills. ## Education ### BE in Engineering - User Interface Design Dartmouth College ### BA in Engineering - Cum Laude Dartmouth College ### MSc in Computer Science - Interaction Design University of Limerick ### George School ### Buckingham Friends School ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kleydon - Website: http://www.krispinleydon.net --- Source: https://flows.cv/krispin JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/krispin/resume.json Last updated: 2026-02-23