Design is the nervous system of the future
As systems grow more complex, they need to sense, adapt, and guide — so we can keep up without freaking out. I’m Ellen Drewes, a product designer who builds the sensory layer between people and the interfaces that shape our lives.
Recent work
Designing Coherence: Rebuilding the Heart of Quantcast
In order to finally launch a workflow-revolutionizing ad platform, an entire company’s approach to vision, validation and product development had to be rewired. I helped design lead that charge.
Case Study
UX at the Edge of Annoyance: A Consent Story
If you've visited a website lately, you’ve probably seen my work – because it blocked your screen. How I designed a 0-1 product that has interrupted billions of user journeys...and why I’m still proud of it.
Case Study
End-to-End Design Under Pressure
Launching a new brand, a responsive redesign and a re-imagined customer experience that explored the pleasure points of paying bills — in under 12 months.
Case Study
Hi, I'm Ellen
I’m a product designer and UX strategist with a long track record of making messy systems coherent.
For over 20 years, I’ve helped teams untangle complexity, align around reality, and design systems that actually work — for users, for business, and for the future.
Hybrid Skills That Drive Real Impact
I don’t just push pixels. I help teams connect the dots between research, design, narrative, and strategy so the work makes sense and holds up under pressure.
End-to-End Product Design
From discovery to ship, I've led multi-org redesigns and helped teams build with intention and user clarity at scale.
User Research & Program Design
I’ve helped companies build research practices from scratch—making insight part of the product lifecycle, not an afterthought.
Teaching & Mentorship
I’ve taught design at the college level and mentored cross-functional teams toward higher alignment and sharper execution.
Visual Design & Branding
Addy-award-winning graphic designer with agency roots. I make systems not just work—but resonate.
Writing & Storytelling
Published author with a talent for simplifying complexity—whether for UX copy, internal alignment, or external brand voice.
Front-End Development
Studied CS, still write front-end code for my own sites. Fluent in cross-functional collaboration with engineers.