Strategic leadership across brand, digital &
creative

I lead creative teams in delivering cohesive design across brand and digital, while shaping the strategies, services, and workflows that enable high-impact creative.

Get in Touch

Get in Touch

Get in Touch

Request Portfolio

Request Portfolio

Request Portfolio

Strategic leadership across brand, digital & creative

I lead creative teams in delivering cohesive design across brand and digital, while shaping the strategies, services, and workflows that enable high-impact creative.

Strategic leadership across brand, digital & creative

I lead creative teams in delivering cohesive design across brand and digital, while shaping the strategies, services, and workflows that enable high-impact creative.

About Me

Over the last decade, I’ve worked across creative disciplines, always drawn to work that is equal parts creativity, strategy, and structure.

I began in the startup world, helping shape roles and build teams through rapid growth—earning three promotions in under two years while developing new processes alongside leadership. After both self-directed study and formal design training through UCLA Extension's Design Communications Arts program, I transitioned into roles across brand, web, and experience.

Lately, I’ve been leading multidisciplinary teams within agency settings, shaping a creative practice where design gains meaning through strategy and direction through structure.

How I work

DISCOVERY-LED PROBLEM SOLVING

I acquire a deep understanding of a problem space to create informed and thorough design solutions across web, digital, and brand work.

CONCEPTUAL THINKING

I see possibilities and spot connections across sectors and disciplines to develop strategic direction and original ideas.

ANALYSIS & SYNTHESIS

I translate research, requirements, and feedback into focused design strategies, clear creative direction, and actionable artifacts that move teams forward.

STRUCTURED SUPPORT

I design adaptive systems, processes, and rituals that support clarity and creativity—offering enough structure to enable consistency and cohesion without stifling creativity.

ATTUNED LEADERSHIP

I stay perceptive and responsive to the needs and interests of those I manage while also establishing mutual trust through dependability and thought partnership.

Testimonials

Testimonials

Testimonials

What collaborators say

  • Natasha Navasardian

    Design Lead

    Ellen had this rare ability to bring big ideas to life while keeping the team inspired and collaborative. She always knew how to push the work to a higher level without ever losing sight of the bigger picture and make the work process smooth.

    Diamond Hook

  • Milan Kostic

    Webflow Developer

    Ellen brings both creative excellence and operational clarity to every project. She led with vision and a strong understanding of how to make good work happen. I always appreciated how clearly she communicated expectations and led design direction, from thorough scoping and briefing to creative collaboration and delivery.

    Diamond Hook

  • Beavis Hari

    
Director of Creative

    Ellen is a true unicorn—possessing both top-tier creative and analytical skills, paired with a 10/10 attitude that made her an absolute force. She undoubtedly raised the bar, leading by example and taking us to new heights through her relentless pursuit of better creative, sharper strategy, and stronger results.

    KlientBoost

  • Alison Van Kuik

    Project Manager

    Working with Ellen has been such a wonderful experience for me. l learned so much under her guidance and truly appreciate the opportunities she provided. Her leadership and mentorship helped me grow professionally in ways I couldn't have imagined.

    Diamond Hook

  • Seal-Bin Han

    Co-Founder

    Ellen has an exceptional eye for design and a deep understanding of how to build compelling digital experiences. She’s not only a strong creative in her own right, but also a natural leader who knows how to bring the best out of those around her.

    Diamond Hook

  • Maria K.B.

    Project Manager

    I had the pleasure of working under Ellen’s leadership at Diamond Hook, and I can confidently say she is one of the most inspiring and supportive managers I’ve worked with...She has a natural talent for elevating ideas while also ensuring the team feels heard, empowered, and challenged in the best way. 

    Diamond Hook

  • Michael Tucker

    Co-Founder

    Ellen brought our team’s work to new heights with her ability to effectively apply both high-level creative thinking and hands-on execution across a variety of digital and design projects. She’s thoughtful, strategic, and someone that I’d work with again in a heartbeat.

    Diamond Hook

  • Natasha Navasardian

    Design Lead

    Ellen had this rare ability to bring big ideas to life while keeping the team inspired and collaborative. She always knew how to push the work to a higher level without ever losing sight of the bigger picture and make the work process smooth.

    Diamond Hook

  • Milan Kostic

    Webflow Developer

    Ellen brings both creative excellence and operational clarity to every project. She led with vision and a strong understanding of how to make good work happen. I always appreciated how clearly she communicated expectations and led design direction, from thorough scoping and briefing to creative collaboration and delivery.

    Diamond Hook

  • Beavis Hari

    
Director of Creative

    Ellen is a true unicorn—possessing both top-tier creative and analytical skills, paired with a 10/10 attitude that made her an absolute force. She undoubtedly raised the bar, leading by example and taking us to new heights through her relentless pursuit of better creative, sharper strategy, and stronger results.

    KlientBoost

  • Alison Van Kuik

    Project Manager

    Working with Ellen has been such a wonderful experience for me. l learned so much under her guidance and truly appreciate the opportunities she provided. Her leadership and mentorship helped me grow professionally in ways I couldn't have imagined.

    Diamond Hook

  • Seal-Bin Han

    Co-Founder

    Ellen has an exceptional eye for design and a deep understanding of how to build compelling digital experiences. She’s not only a strong creative in her own right, but also a natural leader who knows how to bring the best out of those around her.

    Diamond Hook

  • Maria K.B.

    Project Manager

    I had the pleasure of working under Ellen’s leadership at Diamond Hook, and I can confidently say she is one of the most inspiring and supportive managers I’ve worked with...She has a natural talent for elevating ideas while also ensuring the team feels heard, empowered, and challenged in the best way. 

    Diamond Hook

  • Michael Tucker

    Co-Founder

    Ellen brought our team’s work to new heights with her ability to effectively apply both high-level creative thinking and hands-on execution across a variety of digital and design projects. She’s thoughtful, strategic, and someone that I’d work with again in a heartbeat.

    Diamond Hook

  • Natasha Navasardian

    Design Lead

    Ellen had this rare ability to bring big ideas to life while keeping the team inspired and collaborative. She always knew how to push the work to a higher level without ever losing sight of the bigger picture and make the work process smooth.

    Diamond Hook

  • Milan Kostic

    Webflow Developer

    Ellen brings both creative excellence and operational clarity to every project. She led with vision and a strong understanding of how to make good work happen. I always appreciated how clearly she communicated expectations and led design direction, from thorough scoping and briefing to creative collaboration and delivery.

    Diamond Hook

  • Beavis Hari

    
Director of Creative

    Ellen is a true unicorn—possessing both top-tier creative and analytical skills, paired with a 10/10 attitude that made her an absolute force. She undoubtedly raised the bar, leading by example and taking us to new heights through her relentless pursuit of better creative, sharper strategy, and stronger results.

    KlientBoost

  • Alison Van Kuik

    Project Manager

    Working with Ellen has been such a wonderful experience for me. l learned so much under her guidance and truly appreciate the opportunities she provided. Her leadership and mentorship helped me grow professionally in ways I couldn't have imagined.

    Diamond Hook

  • Seal-Bin Han

    Co-Founder

    Ellen has an exceptional eye for design and a deep understanding of how to build compelling digital experiences. She’s not only a strong creative in her own right, but also a natural leader who knows how to bring the best out of those around her.

    Diamond Hook

  • Maria K.B.

    Project Manager

    I had the pleasure of working under Ellen’s leadership at Diamond Hook, and I can confidently say she is one of the most inspiring and supportive managers I’ve worked with...She has a natural talent for elevating ideas while also ensuring the team feels heard, empowered, and challenged in the best way. 

    Diamond Hook

  • Michael Tucker

    Co-Founder

    Ellen brought our team’s work to new heights with her ability to effectively apply both high-level creative thinking and hands-on execution across a variety of digital and design projects. She’s thoughtful, strategic, and someone that I’d work with again in a heartbeat.

    Diamond Hook

What I'm up to

WHERE I'M WORKING

Currently Design Director, Web Experience at Curio—B2B SaaS growth partner and Webflow agency

Leading end-to-end web redesigns and scaling the design department, while guiding strategy, UX, and creative direction across high-converting digital experiences

WHAT I'M LEARNING

Strengthening UX foundations with end-to-end design process training

Advancing brand, motion, and prototyping practices with emerging AI tools like Midjourney, ChatGPT, and Figma Make

Studying approaches for integrating AI into creative process and leadership

IN MY FREE TIME

Reading too many books at the same time

Weaving stories about my cats into every conversation

Tending to my humble patio garden

Learning to dance swing with my husband

Interested in working together?

I’m always open to thoughtful conversations with design-led tech organizations or studios building brand-centric digital experiences.

Get in Touch

Request Portfolio

Interested in working together?

I’m always open to thoughtful conversations with design-led tech organizations or studios building brand-centric digital experiences.

Get in Touch

Request Portfolio

Interested in working together?

I’m always open to thoughtful conversations with design-led tech organizations or studios building brand-centric digital experiences.

Get in Touch

Request Portfolio

I'm a design and creative lead specializing in web, experience, and identity. I bring expertise in design strategy, direction, and operations for B2B, SaaS, and B2C brands.

Interested in working together?

Get in touch.

LinkedIn

elleobri@gmail.com

Request Resume

© 2025 Ellen O’Brien

Based in Southern CA

I'm a design and creative lead specializing in web, experience, and identity. I bring expertise in design strategy, direction, and operations for B2B, SaaS, and B2C brands.

Interested in working together?

Get in touch.

LinkedIn

elleobri@gmail.com

Request Resume

© 2025 Ellen O’Brien

Based in Southern CA

I'm a design and creative lead specializing in web, experience, and identity. I bring expertise in design strategy, direction, and operations for B2B, SaaS, and B2C brands.

Interested in working together?

Get in touch.

LinkedIn

elleobri@gmail.com

Request Resume

© 2025 Ellen O’Brien

Based in Southern CA