Summary
Transformational design executive with 15+ years orchestrating user-centered experiences for world-class technology and media companies. Proven architect of billion-dollar initiatives, design systems, and complex cross-product launches serving billions of users globally.
- Led $1B News Showcase program design, establishing new revenue stream for journalism industry
- Created front-end design systems and content frameworks still in production 5+ years post-launch at Google and CNN
- Directed teams across multiple time zones for 1B+ DAU products (Google App, Chrome, YouTube)
- Transformed CNN.com into a responsive, revenue-optimized platform as Creative Director, led digital design efforts for 2016 Election, CNN Politics, and CNN on Apple News
Experience
Google — Cambridge, MA
2019–2025
UX Design Lead | Google Lens Integrations and Contextual Search
2024–2025
- Led design strategy for Google Lens integrations on 1B+ DAU products (Google App, Chrome, YouTube)
- Directed 7 designers across multiple time zones, innovating AI-powered search experiences
- Drove stakeholder input and approvals across multiple product and UX organizations to assure seamless launch integration
- Facilitated external UX partnerships with TikTok and WhatsApp for experimental in-app search
UX Design Lead | Google News
2022–2024
- Spearheaded news.google.com relaunch serving millions across 140+ international content editions
- Directed team of 5 multi-disciplinary UX designers delivering holistic experiences across iOS, Android, and web
- Developed personalization features including topic following and feed customization
- Managed crisis response design during major news events (Russia-Ukraine conflict)
Senior Interaction Designer & UX Design Manager | Google News Showcase
2020–2022
- Designed dual-sided publishing ecosystem: CMS and consumer news panels across multiple platforms
- Collaborated with legal, partnerships, and business development teams to create tools for hundreds of international publisher partners
- Developed visual language and interaction patterns still in production 4+ years post-launch
- Led UX launches for each additional market, establishing new $1B revenue stream for news industry
Interaction Designer | Google News — Context Everywhere Initiative
2019
- Designed information literacy tools helping users evaluate content credibility
- Created Android messenger integration concepts for content verification and fact-checking
- Developed foundation for current source information features with Search teams
CNN Digital — Atlanta, GA
2011–2019
Creative Director | CNN.com, CNN Politics
2014–2019
- Transformed CNN.com into a revenue-optimized, engagement-driven digital platform while maintaining editorial integrity as the nation's leading news destination
- Evangelized adaptive layout system adopted as foundation for all site programming
- Established user-centric design methodology adopted as organizational standard
- Architected scalable design systems supporting rapid deployment during breaking news and major global events, still in use today
- Led strategic and visual design for tentpole initiatives, including 2016 Election results, CNN Politics, and CNN on Apple News
Senior Designer
2012–2014
- Led multi-year responsive redesign of CNN.com dramatically expanding mobile engagement and revenue opportunities
- Codified editorial programming standards and CMS workflows for entire CNN Digital organization
- Orchestrated homepage evolution through data-driven iterative improvements
Designer
2011–2012
- Designed comprehensive digital content ecosystem including microsites and internal campaigns
- Produced CNN Digital's annual retrospective publication
Early Career — Jacksonville, FL
2008–2011
Interactive Designer & Front-End Developer | Pippin Design, Burdette Ketchum, Home Depot
2008–2011
- Led web design and front-end development for websites, email campaigns, and digital advertising
- Led art direction for advertisements, logos, print collateral, and client presentations for range of B2C and B2B clients
- Optimized checkout and payment processes for major e-commerce platform
Education
Bachelor of Science in Advertising
2004–2008
University of Florida — Gainesville, FL
Skills & Tools
Figma
User Research & Testing
Design Systems
Rapid Prototyping
AI Prototyping
Claude Code
Cursor
Responsive Web Design
Accessibility (WCAG 2.1)
HTML/CSS
Interaction Design
A/B Testing & Experimentation
Agile/Scrum
Information Architecture
Wireframing & User Flows
Design Thinking
Adobe Creative Suite
Awards & Recognition
- Webby Award — Best Social Campaign, CNN Election Night 2016 — webbyawards.com
- Google News desktop redesign featured on the Google Blog
- Google News Showcase ($1B initiative) covered by TechCrunch and the Google Blog at launch
- CNN on Apple News launch covered by CNN Press Room and Nieman Lab
- Multiple Google internal awards for design excellence and cross-functional impact
Selected Work
Full case studies available at mbarilla.com. Extended Google case studies available on request.
Download Google Projects PDF