# Nicole Bernstein > Head of User Experience Design and Research at The RealReal, IDEO, Uber, Nike. 18 years working in design and innovation. Location: San Francisco, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/nicolebernstein ## Work Experience ### Senior Director, Head of UX Design & Research @ The RealReal Jan 2021 – Jan 2026 | San Francisco, CA I built and lead The RealReal's UX research and design team. Our team designs new product features and experiences for our buyers, sellers, and operators across web, mobile web, and iOS. I hired most of the team, established our values and ways of working, and developed tools and processes to inspire our team to execute high quality, human-centered experiences consistently and efficiently. The products and features we've launched have been deeply rooted in the company's profitability objectives and commitment to be the best place to buy and sell authenticated luxury goods. ### Senior User Experience Designer // Valiant Labs (Contract) @ Nike Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 Designed and prototyped an app for first time female runners. Developed and fielded longitudinal customer research with a panel of runners to understand their behaviors and unmet needs; drew concepts; prototyped new experiences and features for the app with analogous technologies; directed design of looks-like prototype for Nike board meeting. The project won a prestigious internal award, and insights and features from our project have been adopted by Nike Run Club. ### Sr. Director of Experience Design @ Lyric Jan 2018 – Jan 2019 | San Francisco Lyric™ designs spaces and technology to empower a more creative and connected world. As the leading tech and data-powered real estate and lifestyle hospitality company, we’re reimagining the future of living for the modern business traveler. Our premium and purposeful Creative Suites™ – set within inspired buildings in the most exciting neighborhoods in the country – combine the productivity of a workspace, the inspiration of an artistic studio, and the amenities of a luxury hotel. Whether you stay one or 200 nights, we’re building a network of living spaces that make you feel at home everywhere. Our focus is on flexibility, purpose and community to help you unlock possible. ### Design Mentor @ Andreessen Horowitz Jan 2018 – Jan 2019 ### Future Rider & Driver Experience (Contract) @ Uber Jan 2017 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco Bay Area Developed concepts to scale the Uber brand experience within the urban environment. ### Senior Design Lead @ IDEO Jan 2008 – Jan 2016 | San Francisco Bay Area Clients: Amazon, Related Companies, Anheuser-Busch InBev, ConAgra Foods, Coca-Cola, Del Monte, Gallo, Guthy-Renker, Levi Strauss & Co., Microsoft • Led projects and business development for IDEO's Food Studio • Depth of expertise in designing new brands, offerings, and consumer experiences • Developed new creative partnerships and collaborations between IDEO, startups, and leaders in the food industry Past: • Led multi-disciplinary design team in development of new brands and associated products, packaging, and launch strategies for ConAgra Foods, IDEO's largest food and beverage client. • Led business development efforts across wide range of clients and industries ranging from food and beverage to consumer electronics to apparel. ### Special Projects Communications Leader @ Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) Jan 2007 – Jan 2008 ### Marketing Associate @ Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) Jan 2006 – Jan 2007 ## Education ### AB in Comparative Literature Princeton University ### MS in Arts Journalism, Magazine Columbia University - Graduate School of Journalism ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nicole-bernstein-89ba05 - Portfolio: https://www.neobernstein.com --- Source: https://flows.cv/nicolebernstein JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/nicolebernstein/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13