10+ years of research-driven design and iterative experiments in e-commerce, fintech, and insurance
Cart and Checkout Design System (Web)
Microsoft's checkout had no design source of truth. I built a domain-specific design system, then used it to launch experiments and pitch an AI-powered checkout vision.
See the case study for MicrosoftMobile app (iOS/Android)
I led journey mapping across 3 siloed business lines to align roadmaps, prevent conflicting experiments, and increase card spending by 21%.
See the case study for Super.comCart and Checkout (Web)
After a checkout redesign stalled, I shifted our approach to iterative experiments, proved a deprioritized feature could lift conversion 217%, and drove $100M in revenue.
See the case study for Kohl'sCredit card + App (iOS/Android)
I designed and launched a zero-interest credit card for a mission-driven fintech reaching 150,000 people with low or no credit scores.
See the case study for Possible FinanceMobile app (iOS/Android)
I stepped in to lead the team and launch a Fortune 100 insurance app redesign across 7 engineering teams and 120 stakeholders.
See the case study for NationwideIntuition is important, it comes from years of expertise but sometimes it's wrong.
At Microsoft, a "cleaner cart layout" hypothesis seemed reasonable. Testing revealed simplification alone didn't lift conversion—it just made "Keep Shopping" more prominent. That insight reshaped our experimentation roadmap.
I build testing frameworks that generate strategic insights—not just statistically significant results. Sometimes "inconclusive" teaches you more than a win.
At Kohl's, I helped pivot the team from a 2-year redesign to focused 3-month experiments. One of those—Save for Later—increased conversion 217% and contributed to $100M in sales.
There's a difference between a $5 bath towel and a $1,500 laptop. Personalization can be focused on personas as much as cart contents.
At Microsoft, financing messaging moved the needle for high-AOV Surface carts but had no effect on lower-priced items. That finding is shaping how we personalize checkout by product category.
I align Product, Engineering, Legal, and Leadership around shared goals—even as the sole designer or through organizational change.
At Possible Finance, I was the only designer across 6 initiatives during a period of Product leadership transitions. At Nationwide, I managed relationships with 120 stakeholders while leading a 6-person design squad.
Scalable systems beat heroic individual contributions. I create frameworks, design systems, and documentation that help teams ship consistently—long after I've moved on.
At Nationwide, I built a design system that maintained consistency across 3 designers and 7 engineering teams as the app scaled from initial release to company-wide initiative.
The best design work creates repeatable principles, not just polished screens.
At Super.com, I led journey mapping across 3 business lines—uncovering overlapping work and defining shared design strategy. At Possible, I established the design process and engineering communication patterns that carried the team through leadership changes.
I'm Joel Wisneski, a product designer who's spent most of my career at the intersection of psychology and business. After earning a Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction design, I've focused on building checkout and payment experiences at large companies and small startups.
I'm based in Honolulu, Hawaii (PST/PDT hours) and open to Staff Product Designer opportunities at companies where systematic thinking and strategic design are valued.