Hi, I'm Lucian.
‍
Designer of systems, stories, and software that actually works.

I’ve been designing and building interactive products since 1999—as a player, coach, and manager. For the better part of a decade, I’ve been running Emblematiq, a boutique design studio in Chicago.

My superpower is turning complex ambiguous problems into simple, actionable experiences that people actually enjoy using. My most fulfilling talent is building empowered teams—ones that make everyone around them better.

I am strategic, curious, confident, and imaginative, fueled by a strong sense of ownership. Personality-wise? INTJ-A — The Assertive Architect. Systems thinker. Quietly relentless.

Trusted by Innovators, Institutions, and Frontier Teams.

Selected
Clients

Success
Stories

Two+ decades
of innovation
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In progress /
  • #autonomy
  • #C2
  • #robotics

Enabling ground vehicle autonomy for defense with Overland AI

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  • #AI/ML
  • #robotics
  • #C2

Defining AI for the US Army next generation robotic combat vehicles

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  • #AI/ML
  • #infrastructure
  • #analytics

Employing machine learning to improve our country's energy grid with MISO

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  • #healthcare
  • #robotics
  • #hardware

Building the future of robotic assisted cancer treatment platforms at Noah Medical

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  • #automotive
  • #autonomy
  • #hardware

Pioneering smart car devices for Rand McNally

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  • #e-commerce
  • #mobile
  • #growth

Breaking the mold of e-commerce at Groupon

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  • #voice
  • #assistant
  • #mobile

Defining the world's first smart assistant with Siri

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  • #non-profit
  • #social
  • #product

Introducing the power of social change at Change.org

Recent Highlights

Last Two+ years
of quick wins
See the work →

Favorite
Testimonials

Without question, the best design mind I have ever worked with, and among the best designers I have ever seen.

— Ben Rattray, Founder, Change.org

A generous and thoughtful collaborator.

— Mark Von Holstein, Owner, Katharine Page

Lucian enables team decision making and collaboration by facilitating cross-functional workshops that get the team aligned and motivated from the start.

— Andy Armstrong, Senior Designer, Microsoft

Best manager and mentor I’ve ever had. An integral part of the success of the entire Design team.

— Sasha Hayes, Senior Designer, Hypergiant
Operating Principles

Working Together

Strategy-first, always.

Every pixel serves a purpose. We define the "why" before we touch the "how".

No templates. No theater.

I don't do copy-paste thinking. I design from principles, not trends.

Clarity beats complexity.

I turn chaos into systems. Ambiguity into structure. Ideas into impact.

Design as leadership.

I embed in teams, guide decisions, and help level up the people around me.

What we build has to last.

I don't just make it work—I make it make sense. And make it sustainable.

Excellence
is a habit.

Ready to make the future real?
Let’s talk —

lucian.design
hi@lucian.design
+1 (773) 808.8810
LinkedIn
Résumé

lucian.design
hi@lucian.design
@emblematiq