I'm a UX strategy and design leader with 15+ years of experience, primarily in regulated financial services. For more than a decade at MCD Partners, Discover Financial Services' core experience-design agency, I led UX strategy and design across multiple business lines, from acquisition and onboarding through servicing and retention.
I do my best work when the path forward isn't clear. I help teams agree on the real problem, using customer evidence and business context to guide decisions that shape the experience.
At MCD, I established a design thinking and Lean UX approach that changed how we ran client engagements. Strategic workshops and customer research became central to the work. I led qualitative research, identifying product assumptions to validate and using findings to guide product experience decisions.
I lead through influence and stay close to the design work, from shaping experience direction to the interaction details that make it work. I've directed multidisciplinary teams and co-managed MCD's UX designers, helping early-career talent develop the judgment and confidence to take ownership of their work.
I continue to refine how I work, including using AI to support research synthesis and design exploration. The tools evolve, but experienced judgment and purposeful design work remain.
Today, I'm a Principal Experience Design Leader at Hydrogen Media, defining UX strategy and design direction for agencies, enterprise teams, and growth-stage companies.
I do my best work when the path forward isn't clear. I help teams agree on the real problem, using customer evidence and business context to guide decisions that shape the experience.
At MCD, I established a design thinking and Lean UX approach that changed how we ran client engagements. Strategic workshops and customer research became central to the work. I led qualitative research, identifying product assumptions to validate and using findings to guide product experience decisions.
I lead through influence and stay close to the design work, from shaping experience direction to the interaction details that make it work. I've directed multidisciplinary teams and co-managed MCD's UX designers, helping early-career talent develop the judgment and confidence to take ownership of their work.
I continue to refine how I work, including using AI to support research synthesis and design exploration. The tools evolve, but experienced judgment and purposeful design work remain.
Today, I'm a Principal Experience Design Leader at Hydrogen Media, defining UX strategy and design direction for agencies, enterprise teams, and growth-stage companies.
What teammates and clients have shared:
“I’ve probably learned the most about UX working with Marcelo.”
“Marcelo is always thoughtful and intentional in his ideas and approach."
"He asks questions that force us to confirm our point of view.”
“Clients know him and respect his input.”
“He’s always very collaborative and ready to talk through problems.”
“He gives great feedback and can quickly zero in on what he’s looking for."
"He’s a good listener and values others’ ideas.”