About me
I’m a Brit currently living in Helsinki, Finland, working as a Senior Product Designer specialising in Design Systems and DesignOps — a role I’m currently fulfilling at Smartly Solutions OY.
My career so far could be described as delightfully meandering, but design has always been the constant thread running through it. Along the way, I’ve built a versatile toolkit that spans graphic design, concept design, UI/UX, and product design. Beyond design, I bring experience in public speaking, leading teams, and just enough project management to keep things running smoothly. I thrive in high-energy, collaborative environments where ideas move fast and craft still matters.
Outside of work, I’m a bit of a film obsessive — corner me in a pub and I’ll talk your ear off about cinema. I was a latecomer to reading, but now it’s another outlet I use to stretch the grey matter; lately, I’ve been drawn to books on regenerative farming, food cultures, and ecological thinking.
When I’m not glued to a screen or a page, I’m happiest in or around the water — swimming, surfing, or, since moving to the Nordics, a bit of ice dipping. Once upon a time, I even had the skills to teach snowboarding — though it’s been long enough that I might need a refresher before hitting the slopes again.
My job is to make design smoother, smarter, and a little more human.
My full C.V
2023 - Present
Design System Lead
Smartly.io
Smartly.io is a platform for automating and optimizing social media advertising campaigns across platforms like Facebook and Instagram. It helps businesses create, manage, and track ads more effectively to improve ROI.
I joined Smartly.io with the mission to spearhead the renewal and maintenance of their Design System. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, my goal is to enhance the UI and create a more cohesive user experience across the platform. In partnership with designers, engineering managers, and product managers, I am driving the implementation of the new design system to ensure a seamless delivery process.
2023
Senior UX/UI Designer
Vincit USA - Contract
Whilst contracting for Vincit, I had the opportunity to spearhead a diverse range of projects, showcasing my expertise in various domains. Notably, I undertook the challenge of implementing a cutting-edge UX/UI redesign for an esteemed Audio/Visual company, elevating their user experience to unparalleled heights. Additionally, I delved into the realm of data visualisation and user interface development, contributing my skills to an esteemed Investment Fintech company, helping them present complex financial data in an intuitive and insightful manner. Furthermore, I engaged in the exciting task of crafting a distinctive brand and visual identity for a promising new stationary start-up, establishing a compelling and cohesive image that resonated with their target audience.
2021-2023
Senior Product Designer
Oivan Group
Oivan Group is a Software and Cybersecurity specialists, who in 2021, expanded their offering to Product Design. I was headhunted to work with the Design Director to foster and build a strong and collaborative team, as well as build the first Design System for the company’s biggest client.
As a senior product designer, my role is to collaborate with clients to enhance their products by utilising various techniques such as conducting face-to-face user testing using Maze and facilitating feature workshops with stakeholders. In addition, I specialise in creating design systems that ensure consistency and maintain high standards in our clients’ design practices. By utilising these methods, I help our clients achieve their product goals and deliver an exceptional user experience.
2020-2021
Senior UX/UI Designer
Wunderman Thompson*
During my tenure at Wunderman Thompson, I led several UX/UI projects for renowned clients such as Nokia, Konecranes, Kone, and Metso:Outec, focusing on enhancing their digital offerings’ user experience. My primary approach involved using data analytics tools like HotJar and Google Analytics to optimise user journeys and improve click-through rates and impressions. Through diligent analysis of user behaviour and insights, I was able to implement design changes that resulted in enhanced usability, higher engagement, and improved business outcomes for our clients.
Extra curricular work:
During the pandemic I co-lead a team to shake up our internal communication across Wunderman Thompson Finland. In a bid to hold onto the close company culture and not to be bored to death by company wide Teams calls.
For our company bi-weekly meeting, myself and a team of 4 other colleagues, produced a chat show style live stream where we broadcast; company news, interviews and showcases of pitch wins and client teams, as well as a few fun segments.
*At the beginning of 2020 Mirum became part of Wunderman Thompson as part of a WPP merger.
2019-2020
Digital Designer
Mirum
During my time at Mirum, I held the responsibility of creating web-based products and guidelines for notable companies such as Konecranes, Nokia, and Finnair. My primary objective was to develop engaging digital products that promoted the latest features and offerings of these companies. Through careful planning and implementation, I was able to design digital solutions that not only captured user attention but also provided a seamless user experience. These products served as an effective marketing tool for the respective companies, leading to increased customer engagement and successful product promotion.
2018-2019
Graphic Designer
Goodlord
Goodlord is a property tech company whose product is a cloud-based platform to improve the letting process for agents, landlords and tenants. Here I worked with the marketing team to help improve marketing assets, create social media templates and visualising e-books written by the lead content strategist.
2016-2018
Creative Project Manager & Designer
Eroica Britannia
Eroica Britannia was a festival for vintage bicycles and vintage bicycle enthusiasts. At the time Eroica Britannia was one of nine international festivals held annually under the l'Eroica brand, Eroica Britannia being the largest with an attendance of 30,000 people.
I worked with the festival Directors supporting them with sales, creating pitch presentations, visualising mock-ups to illustrator the brand exposure for potential sponsors. As well as creating graphics required for the festival such as; maps, signage and swag, I ran the e-commerce shop.
After landing my own sponsorship partner I created what went on to be a key attraction to the festival, The Jimmy's Iced Coffee Vintage car show.
2014-2016
Creative Executive
Clive
Clive is a lead brand experience agency specialising in experiential brand experiences, live events and high-end incentives for the clients such as Facebook, Instagram, Jaguar, BT, Huawei, Sony and Miller Brand.
At Clive my day to day role was to create graphics and collateral for; live events and experiential campaigns, design custom delegate registration websites for corporate and incentive travel events.
I also created the company's current brand and logo.
2013-2014
Operations Executive
Concerto Live
Concerto Live was a lead brand experience agency specialising in experiential brand experiences, live events and high-end incentives for the clients such as Facebook, Instagram, Jaguar, BT, Huawei, Sony and Miller Brand. After buying itself out from the Concerto Group the company became Clive in 2016.
Whilst I was an operations executive I project managed live events for Facebook, Instagram and the UK Fashion & Textiles Awards.
2013
Sales Intern
Mason Rose
Mason Rose is a 5 Star hotel representation company, specialising in marketing, PR and Corporate sales. My role was to aid the sales team with inputting data into their CRM and when needed design support for the marketing and PR teams.
"Roads. Where we're going we don't need, roads"
Wow! You made it to the bottom of the page, I think by law that means we must go for a beer. Send me an electronic mail and we can start the beginning of beautiful relationship!
© Matthew Scanlan 2025