Mike Truese
Senior Product Designer (UX/UI)
Senior Product Designer (UX/UI) specializing in SaaS and complex, content-rich platforms.
Proven record improving engagement, reducing bounce rate from roughly 45% to 20%, and increasing conversions across high-traffic systems.
Runs a self-directed practice designing and shipping AI-assisted products end-to-end, from concept to production-ready.
Experience
Self-Directed Practice | Nov 2022–Present
Built a self-directed practice designing and shipping AI-assisted products end-to-end, from concept to production-ready.
Shipped three public creative projects, reaching 6,000+ subscribers in year one and 100+ commercially available pieces across a self-sustaining store.
Took multiple SaaS concepts from zero to production-ready designs in Figma, including full PRDs, design systems, and documented decisions.
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) | Jul 2016–Nov 2022
Reduced bounce rate from roughly 45% to 20% and increased page views 22% through end-to-end redesigns of Cooperative.com and Electric.coop.
Increased organic traffic 56% and account openings 12% by redesigning HomesteadFunds.com.
Improved employee engagement across NRECANow, increasing time on site 34% and page views 18%.
Partnered with product and engineering teams to simplify complex flows and ship redesigned platforms.
Chaired the Engagement Committee, organizing company-wide social and fundraising initiatives.
Mike Truese Creations | Apr 1999–Jul 2016
Founded and led an independent web design and development practice delivering UX-focused websites and digital products.
Directed discovery, design, development, and launch from end to end.
Designed and built hundreds of websites using WordPress, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Worked directly with clients to turn business goals into websites that were easier to navigate, maintain, and grow.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP | Apr 1996–Apr 1999
Promoted from Senior Application Developer to Manager within one year.
Led internal workflow and resource-management tools.
Established UI standards and reusable components.
Earlier Experience
Senior Technical Consultant, Capgemini
Application Developer roles across financial and healthcare firms in NYC (1987–1996).
Education
Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems, Saint Peter’s University, Summa Cum Laude
Certification
Certification in User Experience, Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g), May 2018
Skills
Product Design • UX/UI Design • SaaS Workflows • Design Systems • Figma • Prototyping • Information Architecture • Interaction Design • Cross-Functional Collaboration • AI-Assisted Design Workflows