Hi, I’m Chris Nyffeler. As UX Director for International & Growth in Google Search, my passion is to understand the culturally-specific needs of internet users across the world and develop valuable products to serve those needs.
Before joining Google, I spent nearly 17 years of my design career at IDEO. As a Partner and Executive Design Director, I led our global community of interaction, visual, and user experience designers. I spent my time guiding some of our client companies through digital transformation initiatives by bringing design-led products and services to market. Other times, I helped technology companies practice human-centered design by equipping product development teams with the tools and mindsets of Design—whether through future-visioning or tactical product launches. I cultivated IDEO’s global portfolio of digital work with an eye on what’s next. And I recruited, hired and mentored IDEO’s ever-growing community of UX designers and directors. I’m an advocate for Design as a core driver of consumer and enterprise technology that is useful, useable and enjoyable. And I just love everything about the design process.
As a design practitioner myself, I have a hands-on approach to creative leadership. Doing design is part of my history and my DNA. Whether working alongside Fortune 100 executives, entrepreneurs, or my own teams, I teach best when I can do. For several years, I kept my my design skills sharp (and cultivated my love to play) with my side project, Ekibo.
As a faculty member in the undergraduate and graduate programs in Interaction Design at the California College of the Arts, My students and I looked for new ways to combine human-centered design with emerging technology platforms.
At the end of the work day, I pack away the screens...but I just can’t stop designing. My favorite activity is creating Lego worlds with my son and daughter.
Some of my CLIENT Partnerships
Google (2015–22)
Walt Disney World Resorts (2021)
Toyota Motors (2020–21)
Pacific Life (2016–17)
Hulu (2016–17)
Zalando (2015–16)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (2015)
US Green Buildings Council (2014)
Novartis International (2013–15)
Acer (2013)
Cisco (2012)
NTT Docomo (2012)
Four Seasons (2012)
Wells Fargo (2011)
Citrix (2011)
Intel (2011)
General Services Administration (2011)
Social Security Administration (2010)
American Refugee Committee (2011)
Aol (2010)
Gannett, Inc (2009)
Visa, Inc (2009)
Electronic Arts (2008)
Nokia (2006–08)
HBO (2006)
Marriott International (2006)
Hewlett Packard (2005)
ABC Television (2005)
Microsoft (2005)