# Niels Thorsen > Senior Product Designer | Ethics Analyst - Digital Engagement and Communications Specialist, City of Oakland | Designing for Civic Impact & Accessibility Location: Berkeley, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/nielsthorsen As a Senior Product Designer, I bring a unique blend of creativity, human-centered design, and technical expertise to every project I take on. My passion lies in crafting digital experiences that drive meaningful impact for all users. Rooted in a philosophy of curiosity and collaboration, I believe great solutions emerge when diverse perspectives converge. My journey—spanning public art, civic technology, and UX design—has taught me to embrace the unexpected, balance user needs with business goals, and approach challenges with structured yet creative thinking. I thrive in spaces where culture, communication, and technology intersect. Originally from Brooklyn and shaped by the vibrant communities of NYC and the SF Bay Area, I’ve honed a deep understanding of how design can reflect and amplify the needs of diverse audiences. Beyond work, I explore the intersection of thought and experience through sculpture, photography, and creative storytelling. These pursuits enhance my ability to view problems from multiple perspectives, fostering innovative solutions. I’m always eager to connect with like-minded professionals who share a commitment to creating impactful, inclusive experiences. Let’s collaborate to design the future. ## Work Experience ### Ethics Analyst - Digital Engagement and Communications Specialist @ City of Oakland Jan 2025 – Present | Oakland, California, United States Supporting the Public Ethics Commission (PEC) in advancing transparency, accountability, and civic engagement through the Democracy Dollars Public Financing Program and related initiatives. • Design & Implementation – Leading prototyping and user-centered improvements for disclosure systems, voucher allocation flows, and campaign finance tools. • Education & Engagement – Developing plain-language guides, outreach content, and digital resources to help candidates, lobbyists, and residents navigate ethics and campaign finance requirements. • Research & Evaluation – Conducting usability testing, stakeholder workshops, and data analysis to assess program effectiveness and improve community access. • Technology & Compliance – Assisting with electronic filing, CMS-based publishing, and open-data visualizations to ensure compliance with state and local transparency laws. • Cross-Functional Collaboration – Partnering with City staff, policy experts, and community stakeholders to deliver accessible, equitable civic tools. This role continues my focus on product design in civic contexts, blending design systems, accessibility, and community engagement to make complex processes clear and usable for Oakland residents. ### Senior Product Designer @ OpenOakland Jan 2023 – Jan 2025 | Oakland, California, United States • Set the Experience Vision: Drive the design of the 'Oakland Fair Elections Act' digital product. • Iterative User Research: Conducted 10+ interviews and usability testing cycles, synthesizing insights to enhance usability and achieve a 17% increase in task success rates. • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partnered with city officials and community groups to design and launch solutions addressing Oakland residents' diverse needs. • Mobile-First and Inclusive Design: Delivered mobile-first wireframes and prototypes, fostering an inclusive design environment through responsive, accessible, and screen-reader-friendly features. • Design System Contribution: Evolved OpenOakland’s design system by introducing scalable design patterns that streamlined the delivery of civic services. ### Product Designer @ OpenOakland Jan 2018 – Jan 2023 | Oakland, California, United States • Deliver End-to-End Experiences: Conducted user interviews and usability tests, driving improved product usability across civic platforms with innovative solutions. • Align Stakeholders on Vision: Facilitated cross-functional workshops to ensure cohesive design strategies and usability priorities for product launches. • Simplify Complex User Workflows: Created and refined interfaces that reduced decision fatigue and increased digital adoption rates across platforms. • Mentor and Grow Talent: Mentored junior designers, fostering a culture of collaboration and high standards for craft and execution. Governance, team support and design advocacy • Serve as Community Organizer, integral to OpenOakland operations. • Manage volunteer onboarding sessions. • Work cross-functionally with stakeholders to serve the needs of OpenOakland’s community and enhance teamwork. ### Visual Designer @ Product 13 Jan 2016 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco Bay Area • End-to-end visual design work. • Website usability updates for both client and business. ### Product Designer @ Literator Jan 2016 – Jan 2016 | San Francisco Bay Area • Conduct interviews with teachers to understand tracking needs for reading progress. • Observe application use in a classroom context to shape UI design. • Design wireframes and prototypes in Figma to enhance access to student records. ### Sculptor @ Product 13 Jan 2010 – Jan 2016 | Multiple Locations • Excel in the amorphous, ambiguous space of art-making. • Innovate and iterate on problems and constraints. • Evolve concepts from idea through production. ## Education ### Certificate in User Experience Design General Assembly Jan 2016 – Jan 2016 ### Fine and Studio Arts Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture ### Studio Arts College International ### Stuyvesant High School ### Bachelor of Arts - BA in Studio Art University of Vermont ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niels-thorsen - Website: nielsthorsendesign.com --- Source: https://flows.cv/nielsthorsen JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/nielsthorsen/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-07