I thrive where strategy meets sticky notes. At GitLab, GEICO, and Capital One, I’ve led UX work that blends vision, velocity, and the kind of clarity that turns good into great.
Great design is inclusive, collaborative, and more than instinct. It runs on clarity, trust, and a healthy amount of zooming in at 400%.
Design Principles
These are the principles that guide my design decisions, team leadership, and collaborative chaos. They’ve been forged through late-night Figma sessions, cross-functional huddles, and a few very strong opinions about buttons.
People First
I lead the way I’d want to be led, with trust, respect, and a genuine investment in each person’s success.
Dev-Friendly
I speak fluent Figma and friendly pull request. Design and engineering should feel like one team.
Systems Thinking
I build smart, reusable systems that scale without slowing teams down. No chaos, just clarity.
Accessible by Default
Good design works for everyone. I bake accessibility in from the first sticky note to the final push.
Key Projects
From foundational design systems to mobile apps and one very memorable mascot game. Here’s a selection of projects I’ve been proud to design, lead, ship, or shape.
Capital One iOS
Designed biometric login and enterprise features across Capital One's iOS apps, including Face ID, Touch ID, and accessibility enhancements that worked for everyone.
Capital One iPad 2.0
Led the redesign of Capital One’s iPad app with a new design language that brought consistency, delight, and “finally, this makes sense” energy across platforms.
Capital One iPad 1.0
Designed the first Capital One iPad banking app. A bold, intuitive experience that made mobile banking feel effortless on the big screen.
Capital One Venture
Graphic design, tight timeline, big launch. Created Capital One’s first flagship credit card with visuals that stood out and results that followed.
Capital One Mascot Challenge
Designed characters and UI for a football-themed promo game, partnering closely with dev to bring Capital One’s Mascot Challenge to life.
Kind Words
I’ve had the chance to work with some fantastic people. These are kind words coworkers have shared after we tackled big, messy, rewarding problems together.
I reported to Blair and thoroughly enjoyed being one of his team members. He pushed me to have honest and direct conversations even when it was hard. I grew as a Senior Product Designer while I worked for him, and am a better contributor thanks to his guidance as a manager.
Austin Regnery
Senior Product Designer, GitLab
Blair’s a rebel in the best ways; he doesn’t micromanage or over-invest in his own work to the detriment of his design reports.
He always puts direct reports first; as a function of available attention and assisting in elevating their career. I felt incredibly empowered, and safe.
Ravi Gangele
Design Systems, Zendesk
One of Blair's key strengths is his genuine care for people.
He has a unique ability to create a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged to grow.
He brought together a talented group of product designers and fostered a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.
Dan Mizzi-Harris
Design Systems, GitLab
Blair encourages us to be our best selves by leading by example. He leads with heart, humility, and authenticity. He connects to his directs and peers, listening and caring in the moments that matter.
He leans in with fearless determination to advocate for the customer experience and encourages us all to do the same.
Sabrina Ngai
Director, Marriott
Blair's design knowledge, experience, and skills are rivaled only by his own amazing management style. He is a great listener and knows just the right questions to ask. He knows when to be supportive and when to push. I am a better designer for having worked with him and any team would be lucky to have him be a part of it.
Michael Nichols
Product Designer, GitLab
As a design manager Blair provides knowledgeable and actionable feedback as well as support in advancing a design vision and collaborating across teams. His clear and calm direction through challenges, and quick recognition of accomplishments, is an asset to any team.
Blair is an empathetic listener, with a knowing sense of when to reach out that was particularly essential in our all-remote team. I learned a lot in our time working together and his next team will be lucky to have him.
Nick Leonard
Product Designer, GitLab
I've always loved your thoughtful approach to leadership and collaboration Blair Christopher! This is all a great reminder as I approach the new year with my teams that we can do even more next year to get closer to our partners and help enable the success in all of our work 🙏
ToniAnn Drenckhahn
Design Systems Leader, BetMGM