Chris Durgin

Resume

A summary of my professional experience, skills, and qualifications

Chris Durgin

UX & Human Factors Engineering Consultant

Human-Centered Design for Enterprise, AI, and Complex Systems

Professional Summary

UX & Human Factors Engineering Consultant with 8+ years of experience leading human-centered design across enterprise, AI, and industrial systems. I specialize in aligning user needs with business goals through applied UX research, systems thinking, and behavioral design.

Whether embedded in operations or defining product strategy, I help organizations build more intuitive, resilient, and ethical tools by integrating usability testing, participatory design, and scalable UX maturity practices into complex environments.

Skills

Human-Centered Design & Research

User ResearchHuman FactorsUX StrategyService DesignDesign ThinkingBehavioral DesignHuman Systems EngineeringJourney MappingParticipatory DesignUsability TestingCognitive Load Analysis

Product Design & Technology

User Experience DesignUser Interface DesignFigmaAdobe XDInteraction DesignInformation ArchitectureRapid PrototypingDesign OpsAgile/ScrumFront-End CollaborationAI Interaction Design

Experience

Lead UX & Product Designer (Progressive Roles)

Titles: Associate UX Researcher & Designer → UX Designer I → UX Designer II → Senior Product Designer I → Senior Product Designer II – UX & Human Factors Consultant
Nov 2020 – Present

Neudesic, an IBM Company

Lead discovery and product strategy across enterprise and industrial domains, specializing in complex systems for utilities, logistics, and AI-powered tools.

  • • Led UX for enterprise platforms, AI tools, and operational systems in energy, telecom, and logistics sectors.
  • • Embedded with client teams to drive product strategy, user research, and design execution.
  • • Applied Human Factors principles to reduce user error, streamline workflows, and improve trust in digital tools.
  • • Directed mixed-method research and usability testing, turning insights into actionable design decisions.
  • • Mentored cross-functional teams and scaled human-centered design practices across client organizations.

Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant – UX Research (GIT Program)

Jul 2019 – Dec 2020

Arizona State University

  • • Mentored undergraduates through usability studies, prototyping, and applied UX research methods
  • • Supported instruction for GIT340: Information Design and Usability, a research-focused UX course
  • • Graded student research plans, findings reports, and high-fidelity digital prototypes

Education

M.S. User Experience & Human Systems Engineering

2020

Arizona State University – Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

B.S. Technical Communication & User Experience

2018

Arizona State University – Summa Cum Laude

A.A. Concentration in CIS & Digital Design

2017

Mesa Community College

CCL Certificate in Digital Design

2017

Mesa Community College

A.A.S. Visual Communications & Design

2012

ITT Technical Institute

Certifications & Awards

Certifications

  • • IBM Human-Centered AI: Design Thinking & Strategy
  • • IBM Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner
  • • CITI Program: IRB – Social & Behavioral Research (Recertified 2025)
  • • CITI Program: IRB – Native American Research (2020)
  • • Lean UX & Product Discovery – Sense & Respond (2022)

Awards

  • • Most Outstanding UX Graduate, ASU Fulton Schools (2020)
  • • Top Gun Award, Neudesic (2024)
  • • Customer Experience Award, Neudesic (2023)

Select Clients

  • • Freeport-McMoRan
  • • Station Casinos
  • • DTE Energy
  • • AFS Logistics
  • • AT&T

Recent Project Highlights

Mill Operations Forms Digital Transformation

Replaced paper forms with a digital platform for Freeport McMoRan. Led research and design to ensure adoption, improving reporting speed and visibility.

Metallurgical Accounting Web App

Redesigned legacy workflows that were slow and error-prone for Freeport McMoRan. Redesigned entry flow with user testing, boosting speed, accuracy, and satisfaction.

FinWIP Accounting System Modernization

Transformed Excel-based process that caused bottlenecks for Freeport McMoRan. Created a guided review workspace, improving transparency and cross-team flow.

Mobile Throughput Tracking

Streamlined manual data entry that slowed insights for Freeport McMoRan. Designed a tablet-first input tool that cut errors and enabled real-time tracking.

Career Highlights

  • • 8+ years of cross-industry UX leadership (utilities, logistics, AI, gaming)
  • • Delivered 10+ enterprise tools with measurable improvements in productivity
  • • Coached 15+ teams in HCD methods and systems thinking
  • • Led digital transformations for multi-site operations