# Sam Julian

> Product Designer & Storyteller

Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/samjulian

## Work Experience
### Founder @ Cephalotype Media
Jan 2021 – Present | San Francisco, California, United States
I write and illustrate comics that I self-publish, and manage an online store for Octopolis art and merchandise. I've organized educational programs and panels related to my work at libraries, museums, aquariums and conventions.

In 2025 I was a finalist for the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award for my comic, Octopolis. I wrote, illustrated, and published the graphic novel “Octopolis: Holdfast" after conducting a Kickstarter campaign in May 2024. The campaign earned >$32,000, over 400% of the target goal. 

In my capacity as an artist I am currently represented by the Azantian Literary Agency.
I also provide design services and consultation on a freelance basis. Contact me for availability and rates.

### Senior Product Designer @ Goodreads
Jan 2015 – Jan 2021 | San Francisco, California, United States
Lead designer for the overhaul of the Goodreads Book Detail page on web, a key experience that accounts for 30% of the site’s total page views. Increased conversions by 20%. Released Goodreads’ first responsive web pages and emails, improving user experience and increasing traffic on mobile platforms.

Managed the frontend design system working group. Developed guidelines, maintained a usage wiki, stickersheet library and led design reviews.

Personally designed, conducted and synthesized user studies for product development.

### User Experience Designer @ Yahoo
Jan 2013 – Jan 2015 | Sunnyvale, California, United States
Lead designer for Yahoo’s Mobile Advertising software development kit. Designed & released ad templates for use across the Yahoo mobile app suite. Mediated interests between business and product teams throughout ad design & integration.

Directed a visual and structural redesign of Yahoo’s internal analytics platform for mobile apps.

Adapted the Yahoo Fantasy Football Draft Experience for mobile and tablet.

### Creative Director & Game Designer @ Loki Studios
Jan 2010 – Jan 2013 | Los Altos, California, United States
Loki Studios produced Geomon, a location-based MMORPG for iOS. 
Designed 150+ characters, from concept to visual appearance & game mechanics. 
Managed asset production through a remote artistic team
Optimized user experience and gameplay for improved onboarding/retention, monetization and engagement.
Developed navigation hierarchy and UI elements for the game interface
Wrote story content, interface dialogues and menus.
Coordinated social media, community organization and customer support


## Education
### Bachelor of Arts - BA in Creative Writing
Stanford University

### High School Diploma
St. Augustine High School


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ssjulian
- Website: http://ssjulian.com
- Website: https://octopoliscomic.com

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Source: https://flows.cv/samjulian
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/samjulian/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-08