Carlos Esparza

Info

Connect

Carlos Esparza

✦

✦

Hi, great to meet you.

I design the systems

that make design work.

Carlos

Esparza

Currently a Design program manager

Currently a Design program manager

Callisto Media Case Study

In a 50+ person hybrid design org, I introduced UX principles, systemized delivery,
and cut production waste by 80%—without ever being handed the Ops title.

Role: Lead UX Designer + Acting Design Ops Lead
Company: Callisto Media
Timeline: 2019–2022
Team: ~50+ designers (print, production)

The Problem: A 50+ Design Team Scaling Without Systems

My Role: UX Lead + Acting Ops Director

What I Built: Templates, Systems, and Operational Rituals

The Results: 10x Efficiency, UX Uplift, and Systemic Clarity

Takeaway: I Don’t Fix Symptoms— I Redesign the Machine

The Problem: A 50+ Design Team Scaling Without Systems

My Role: UX Lead + Acting Ops Director

What I Built: Templates, Systems, and Operational Rituals

The Results: 10x Efficiency, UX Uplift, and Systemic Clarity

Takeaway: I Don’t Fix Symptoms— I Redesign the Machine

Info

As a leader I’m a strategic communicator, and an expert translator across disciplines. I inspire my teams to find novel roads to business goals, and I'm comfortable building teams to craft experiences in print, digital, and OOH environments.

My defining qualities are being  1) optimistic, 2) curious, 3) kind of silly, and 4) deadly serious.

Download Resume

Download Resume

Download Resume

Download Resume

Experience

Art Director / Design Program Manager

2022—Current

1517 Media

Lead UX Designer / Design Operations Manager

2019–2022

Callisto Media

Co-founder and Creative Director

2015–2020

Field Studios

Marketing Director

2014–2015

Pilchuck Glass School

Digital Product Designer / Developer

2011–2013

Random House

Art Director / Design Program Manager

2022—Current

1517 Media

Lead UX Designer / Design Operations Manager

2019–2022

Callisto Media

Co-founder and Creative Director

2015–2020

Field Studios

Marketing Director

2014–2015

Pilchuck Glass School

Digital Product Designer / Developer

2011–2013

Random House

Competencies

Design Operations & Strategy

Team Workflows

Process Mapping

Design system governance

Stakeholder Alignment

UX & Product Collaboration

Change Management

AI-Enabled Ops & Design

Stack

Figma

Design

Figma

Design

Clickup

Project Management

Clickup

Project Management

Confluence

Documentation

Confluence

Documentation

Adobe Creative Cloud

Visual Design, Video, etc.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Visual Design, Video, etc.

Notion

Workspace

Notion

Workspace

ChatGPT

Assistant

ChatGPT

Assistant

Github

Code Management

Github

Code Management

React

Development

React

Development

Smartsheet

Project Management

Smartsheet

Project Management

Slack

Communications

Slack

Communications

Cursor

Development

Cursor

Development

Replit

Development

Replit

Development

Testimonials

"Carlos has the uncanny ability to ignite inspiration and lead the charge into any call to action. He is a vast resource of knowledge, wisdom, talent, proficiency and skill.

Richard Tapp

Senior Creative Artist

"Not only is he an incredibly talented designer, but he’s also an outstanding communicator. Carlos was one of the few people who could unite a team, solve difficult problems in a diplomatic manner, and inspire many in some of the most difficult times."

Nick Wong

Production Specialist Manager

"During our almost 3 years working together, Carlos consistently demonstrated that he is not only an immensely talented creative collaborator, but also a natural leader and an uplifting and empathetic presence on the design team."

Jennifer Hsu

Senior Design Manager

Testimonials

"Carlos has the uncanny ability to ignite inspiration and lead the charge into any call to action. He is a vast resource of knowledge, wisdom, talent, proficiency and skill.

Richard Tapp

Senior Creative Artist

"Not only is he an incredibly talented designer, but he’s also an outstanding communicator. Carlos was one of the few people who could unite a team, solve difficult problems in a diplomatic manner, and inspire many in some of the most difficult times."

Nick Wong

Production Specialist Manager

"During our almost 3 years working together, Carlos consistently demonstrated that he is not only an immensely talented creative collaborator, but also a natural leader and an uplifting and empathetic presence on the design team."

Jennifer Hsu

Senior Design Manager

Testimonials

"Carlos has the uncanny ability to ignite inspiration and lead the charge into any call to action. He is a vast resource of knowledge, wisdom, talent, proficiency and skill.

Richard Tapp

Senior Creative Artist

"Not only is he an incredibly talented designer, but he’s also an outstanding communicator. Carlos was one of the few people who could unite a team, solve difficult problems in a diplomatic manner, and inspire many in some of the most difficult times."

Nick Wong

Production Specialist Manager

"During our almost 3 years working together, Carlos consistently demonstrated that he is not only an immensely talented creative collaborator, but also a natural leader and an uplifting and empathetic presence on the design team."

Jennifer Hsu

Senior Design Manager

Abstract image

Let’s Connect

Mail:

hi@carlosesparza.com

Phone:

808 989 5776

Location:

Maui, Hawai'i

Abstract image

Let’s
Connect

Mail:

hi@carlosesparza.com

Phone:

808 989 5776

Location:

Maui, Hawai'i