John Karl
Head of Product Design / Experience
John Karl
Head of Product Design / Experience
Drop me a follow
Drop me a follow
Tampa, FL
Tampa, FL
Selected work
[2010 -2025]
Transflo WFAI
Innovating AI Guided Back Office Workflows
Transflo WFAI
Innovating AI Guided Back Office Workflows
Transflo WFAI
Innovating AI Guided Back Office Workflows
Transflo Mobile Plus
Drivers All-In-One Workspace Mobile Application
Transflo Mobile Plus
Drivers All-In-One Workspace Mobile Application
Transflo Mobile Plus
Drivers All-In-One Workspace Mobile Application
Wallet
All-digital fuel payment and management solution
Wallet
All-digital fuel payment and management solution
Wallet
All-digital fuel payment and management solution
Symphony Prototype
Design an international auditing software solution for a top-three global accounting firm
Symphony Prototype
Design an international auditing software solution for a top-three global accounting firm
Symphony Prototype
Design an international auditing software solution for a top-three global accounting firm
Workflow Studio
Refine supply chain workflows
Workflow Studio
Refine supply chain workflows
Workflow Studio
Refine supply chain workflows
Scorecard Feature
Company performance scores
Scorecard Feature
Company performance scores
Scorecard Feature
Company performance scores
John Karl
Head of Product Design / Experience
John Karl
Head of Product Design / Experience
John Karl
Head of Product Design / Experience
I'm a User Experience Executive with 15+ years of experience turning complex challenges into intuitive, high-impact digital solutions. I lead cross-functional teams, align design with business goals, and build scalable systems that drive user and product success.
I'm a User Experience Executive with 15+ years of experience turning complex challenges into intuitive, high-impact digital solutions. I lead cross-functional teams, align design with business goals, and build scalable systems that drive user and product success.
Graphic Designer to Strategic Design Leader
Over 15 years Experience
Based in Tampa Bay, Florida
What my colleges say
Operationally Savvy Product Design Executive with Enterprise Influence
It’s rare to find a leader who truly leads by example—John Karl is one of them. He’s the kind of manager who rolls up his sleeves, tackles challenges head-on, and creates space for his team to thrive. While John is a recognized expert in product design, his impact goes far beyond that. He’s exceptionally well-connected across the organization and consistently removes roadblocks, whether by stepping in directly or connecting the right people.
Jake Cummings
Lead UX Designer
Operationally Savvy Product Design Executive with Enterprise Influence
It’s rare to find a leader who truly leads by example—John Karl is one of them. He’s the kind of manager who rolls up his sleeves, tackles challenges head-on, and creates space for his team to thrive. While John is a recognized expert in product design, his impact goes far beyond that. He’s exceptionally well-connected across the organization and consistently removes roadblocks, whether by stepping in directly or connecting the right people.
Jake Cummings
Lead UX Designer
Operationally Savvy Product Design Executive with Enterprise Influence
It’s rare to find a leader who truly leads by example—John Karl is one of them. He’s the kind of manager who rolls up his sleeves, tackles challenges head-on, and creates space for his team to thrive. While John is a recognized expert in product design, his impact goes far beyond that. He’s exceptionally well-connected across the organization and consistently removes roadblocks, whether by stepping in directly or connecting the right people.
Jake Cummings
Lead UX Designer
Executive Leader Empowering Creativity with Purpose and Vision
John Karl is a standout leader who understands the true value of creative work. He creates space for it to thrive, respects the process, empowers talent without ego, and consistently gives credit where it’s due. In a corporate world that often misunderstands creative, John is the rare leader who gets it—and leads accordingly.
Jordan Krumbin
Manager of Brand and Design
Executive Leader Empowering Creativity with Purpose and Vision
John Karl is a standout leader who understands the true value of creative work. He creates space for it to thrive, respects the process, empowers talent without ego, and consistently gives credit where it’s due. In a corporate world that often misunderstands creative, John is the rare leader who gets it—and leads accordingly.
Jordan Krumbin
Manager of Brand and Design
Executive Leader Empowering Creativity with Purpose and Vision
John Karl is a standout leader who understands the true value of creative work. He creates space for it to thrive, respects the process, empowers talent without ego, and consistently gives credit where it’s due. In a corporate world that often misunderstands creative, John is the rare leader who gets it—and leads accordingly.
Jordan Krumbin
Manager of Brand and Design
A Proven Leader at the Intersection of Design, Strategy, and Customer Insight
John has an outgoing and supportive personality. This enables him to be an incredible leader of the Product Experience team. He delivers clear expectations to his team, is transparent, and ready to jump in and assist anyone. His team member's excellence is a direct reflection of John as a leader.
Steven Zarkos
Sr. Product Manager - Compliance
A Proven Leader at the Intersection of Design, Strategy, and Customer Insight
John has an outgoing and supportive personality. This enables him to be an incredible leader of the Product Experience team. He delivers clear expectations to his team, is transparent, and ready to jump in and assist anyone. His team member's excellence is a direct reflection of John as a leader.
Steven Zarkos
Sr. Product Manager - Compliance
A Proven Leader at the Intersection of Design, Strategy, and Customer Insight
John has an outgoing and supportive personality. This enables him to be an incredible leader of the Product Experience team. He delivers clear expectations to his team, is transparent, and ready to jump in and assist anyone. His team member's excellence is a direct reflection of John as a leader.
Steven Zarkos
Sr. Product Manager - Compliance
Inspiring Success Through Purposeful Leadership and Team-Centered Values
John fosters a collaborative work environment where ideas are valued, and creativity thrives. His strategic vision has been essential in driving our team's success. Beyond his leadership skills, John has shown great empathy and support during challenging times, always prioritizing the well-being of his team members.
Kassandra Knapp
Product Designer
Inspiring Success Through Purposeful Leadership and Team-Centered Values
John fosters a collaborative work environment where ideas are valued, and creativity thrives. His strategic vision has been essential in driving our team's success. Beyond his leadership skills, John has shown great empathy and support during challenging times, always prioritizing the well-being of his team members.
Kassandra Knapp
Product Designer
Inspiring Success Through Purposeful Leadership and Team-Centered Values
John fosters a collaborative work environment where ideas are valued, and creativity thrives. His strategic vision has been essential in driving our team's success. Beyond his leadership skills, John has shown great empathy and support during challenging times, always prioritizing the well-being of his team members.
Kassandra Knapp
Product Designer
Executive Leader Uniting Strategy, Creative, and Culture for Scalable Impact
John is a rare leader who combines business acumen, deep subject-matter expertise, and genuine care for his team. Under his leadership, the Product Experience team became a respected hub for UI/UX, creative design, documentation, and product marketing. His servant-leader approach—balancing strategic direction with personal support—earns the trust of both senior leadership and technical teams. Any organization would be fortunate to work with him.
Eric Hsieh
Product Marketing Manager
Executive Leader Uniting Strategy, Creative, and Culture for Scalable Impact
John is a rare leader who combines business acumen, deep subject-matter expertise, and genuine care for his team. Under his leadership, the Product Experience team became a respected hub for UI/UX, creative design, documentation, and product marketing. His servant-leader approach—balancing strategic direction with personal support—earns the trust of both senior leadership and technical teams. Any organization would be fortunate to work with him.
Eric Hsieh
Product Marketing Manager
Executive Leader Uniting Strategy, Creative, and Culture for Scalable Impact
John is a rare leader who combines business acumen, deep subject-matter expertise, and genuine care for his team. Under his leadership, the Product Experience team became a respected hub for UI/UX, creative design, documentation, and product marketing. His servant-leader approach—balancing strategic direction with personal support—earns the trust of both senior leadership and technical teams. Any organization would be fortunate to work with him.
Eric Hsieh
Product Marketing Manager
Recent experience
Jan 2025 - Now
Head of Product Experience
Transflo
7 months
Dynamic product leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and market growth. Spearheaded the enhancement of key mobile and web application features, successfully integrated AI and machine learning technologies, and established a Go-to-Market (GTM) function alongside a Product Marketing Management (PMM) role. ● Instructed and mentored team members to align design processes with innovative AI-driven solutions, ensuring user-centered design principles and effective machine learning models. ● Spearheaded design and research efforts to create an intuitive user interface and seamless workflows for back-office operations. ● Envisioned and led the concept of a customer software configurator to streamline self-service workflows, empowering customers to efficiently customize and manage their services. ● Reimagined and led the PX team in developing a mobile feature that empowers end users to create and manage their own workflows using AI, resulting in a 30% reduction in time to task completion and increased adoption of the existing feature. ● Implemented Pendo to gain deeper insights into key metrics related to end-user adoption of products and features, enhancing product understanding by 40% ● Organized and aligned team goals with product needs, market insights, and company objectives to drive cohesive strategy and performance.
Aug 2021 - Jan 2025
Director of Product Experience
Transflo
3 Years and 6 months
Lead product experience function with focus on merging creative, product marketing, documentation, and product design teams. Oversee a diverse team, including creative professionals, UX designers, UX leads, and knowledge base professionals. ● Directed Teams for the design of 7 products, including Transflo Mobile, Workflow AI, Wallet, Scorecard, One Portal, Velocity, and Loads Workflow 2.0, consistently meeting and surpassing monthly and quarterly targets. ● Led transformative team that questioned norms and inspired organizational change, significantly impacting industry's approach and mindset. ● Created GTM process for best-in-class product campaigns.
Jan 2020 - Aug 2021
Manager of UX
Transflo
1 Years and 8 months
Expanded team to better organize and complete new sections of departmental growing. Created new roles and 3 teams needed for success. Designed and created the companies first self service knowledge base. Implemented a new "Product Creative" team to empower proper "Go to Market" processes and product messaging congruency. Continued as Sr UX Designer working with multiple stake holders, BA's, Dev teams to create new products and enhance our users experience and company growth. ● Created Product Marketing role for GTM and Video Creation for brand growth. ● Expanded UX team's reach and processes including implementing first UI/UX material library to speed up development for both product and development teams.
Apr 2018 - Jan 2020
UX Designer
Transflo
1 Years and 10 months
Joined company as contractor, then transitioned from previous role as manager of UX in different industry. Revamped user interface and overall design of mobile app for supply chain, overseeing document scanning features for expedited payments. Executed UX designer responsibilities while also introducing and implementing Agile methodologies as newly certified Scrum master. ● Produced 5 prototypes within one week, earning recognition in major trade magazine and solidifying position within company. ● Enhanced mobile app's user interface and functionality, drastically improving Android and iOS ratings to 3.7 and 4.8, respectively.
Oct 2016 - April 2018
Director of Marketing and Design
Entangle Media
1 Years and 7 months
Pioneered design and UX department at graphics application firm, transforming company's approach to design from non-existent to industry-leading. Masterminded multifaceted client solutions, delivering social media, website enhancement, and impactful marketing materials for high-profile clients in diverse sectors including healthcare and education. ● Conceptualized and built advanced audiovisual studio from ground up, elevating company's capability to produce cutting-edge video content and sophisticated marketing materials. ● Fostered strong stakeholder relationships, translating complex concepts into compelling brand stories and bringing identity of company and diverse clientele to life.
Jan 2025 - Now
Head of Product Experience
Transflo
7 months
Dynamic product leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and market growth. Spearheaded the enhancement of key mobile and web application features, successfully integrated AI and machine learning technologies, and established a Go-to-Market (GTM) function alongside a Product Marketing Management (PMM) role. ● Instructed and mentored team members to align design processes with innovative AI-driven solutions, ensuring user-centered design principles and effective machine learning models. ● Spearheaded design and research efforts to create an intuitive user interface and seamless workflows for back-office operations. ● Envisioned and led the concept of a customer software configurator to streamline self-service workflows, empowering customers to efficiently customize and manage their services. ● Reimagined and led the PX team in developing a mobile feature that empowers end users to create and manage their own workflows using AI, resulting in a 30% reduction in time to task completion and increased adoption of the existing feature. ● Implemented Pendo to gain deeper insights into key metrics related to end-user adoption of products and features, enhancing product understanding by 40% ● Organized and aligned team goals with product needs, market insights, and company objectives to drive cohesive strategy and performance.
Aug 2021 - Jan 2025
Director of Product Experience
Transflo
3 Years and 6 months
Lead product experience function with focus on merging creative, product marketing, documentation, and product design teams. Oversee a diverse team, including creative professionals, UX designers, UX leads, and knowledge base professionals. ● Directed Teams for the design of 7 products, including Transflo Mobile, Workflow AI, Wallet, Scorecard, One Portal, Velocity, and Loads Workflow 2.0, consistently meeting and surpassing monthly and quarterly targets. ● Led transformative team that questioned norms and inspired organizational change, significantly impacting industry's approach and mindset. ● Created GTM process for best-in-class product campaigns.
Jan 2020 - Aug 2021
Manager of UX
Transflo
1 Years and 8 months
Expanded team to better organize and complete new sections of departmental growing. Created new roles and 3 teams needed for success. Designed and created the companies first self service knowledge base. Implemented a new "Product Creative" team to empower proper "Go to Market" processes and product messaging congruency. Continued as Sr UX Designer working with multiple stake holders, BA's, Dev teams to create new products and enhance our users experience and company growth. ● Created Product Marketing role for GTM and Video Creation for brand growth. ● Expanded UX team's reach and processes including implementing first UI/UX material library to speed up development for both product and development teams.
Apr 2018 - Jan 2020
UX Designer
Transflo
1 Years and 10 months
Joined company as contractor, then transitioned from previous role as manager of UX in different industry. Revamped user interface and overall design of mobile app for supply chain, overseeing document scanning features for expedited payments. Executed UX designer responsibilities while also introducing and implementing Agile methodologies as newly certified Scrum master. ● Produced 5 prototypes within one week, earning recognition in major trade magazine and solidifying position within company. ● Enhanced mobile app's user interface and functionality, drastically improving Android and iOS ratings to 3.7 and 4.8, respectively.
Oct 2016 - April 2018
Director of Marketing and Design
Entangle Media
1 Years and 7 months
Pioneered design and UX department at graphics application firm, transforming company's approach to design from non-existent to industry-leading. Masterminded multifaceted client solutions, delivering social media, website enhancement, and impactful marketing materials for high-profile clients in diverse sectors including healthcare and education. ● Conceptualized and built advanced audiovisual studio from ground up, elevating company's capability to produce cutting-edge video content and sophisticated marketing materials. ● Fostered strong stakeholder relationships, translating complex concepts into compelling brand stories and bringing identity of company and diverse clientele to life.
Jan 2025 - Now
Head of Product Experience
Transflo
7 months
Dynamic product leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and market growth. Spearheaded the enhancement of key mobile and web application features, successfully integrated AI and machine learning technologies, and established a Go-to-Market (GTM) function alongside a Product Marketing Management (PMM) role. ● Instructed and mentored team members to align design processes with innovative AI-driven solutions, ensuring user-centered design principles and effective machine learning models. ● Spearheaded design and research efforts to create an intuitive user interface and seamless workflows for back-office operations. ● Envisioned and led the concept of a customer software configurator to streamline self-service workflows, empowering customers to efficiently customize and manage their services. ● Reimagined and led the PX team in developing a mobile feature that empowers end users to create and manage their own workflows using AI, resulting in a 30% reduction in time to task completion and increased adoption of the existing feature. ● Implemented Pendo to gain deeper insights into key metrics related to end-user adoption of products and features, enhancing product understanding by 40% ● Organized and aligned team goals with product needs, market insights, and company objectives to drive cohesive strategy and performance.
Aug 2021 - Jan 2025
Director of Product Experience
Transflo
3 Years and 6 months
Lead product experience function with focus on merging creative, product marketing, documentation, and product design teams. Oversee a diverse team, including creative professionals, UX designers, UX leads, and knowledge base professionals. ● Directed Teams for the design of 7 products, including Transflo Mobile, Workflow AI, Wallet, Scorecard, One Portal, Velocity, and Loads Workflow 2.0, consistently meeting and surpassing monthly and quarterly targets. ● Led transformative team that questioned norms and inspired organizational change, significantly impacting industry's approach and mindset. ● Created GTM process for best-in-class product campaigns.
Jan 2020 - Aug 2021
Manager of UX
Transflo
1 Years and 8 months
Expanded team to better organize and complete new sections of departmental growing. Created new roles and 3 teams needed for success. Designed and created the companies first self service knowledge base. Implemented a new "Product Creative" team to empower proper "Go to Market" processes and product messaging congruency. Continued as Sr UX Designer working with multiple stake holders, BA's, Dev teams to create new products and enhance our users experience and company growth. ● Created Product Marketing role for GTM and Video Creation for brand growth. ● Expanded UX team's reach and processes including implementing first UI/UX material library to speed up development for both product and development teams.
Apr 2018 - Jan 2020
UX Designer
Transflo
1 Years and 10 months
Joined company as contractor, then transitioned from previous role as manager of UX in different industry. Revamped user interface and overall design of mobile app for supply chain, overseeing document scanning features for expedited payments. Executed UX designer responsibilities while also introducing and implementing Agile methodologies as newly certified Scrum master. ● Produced 5 prototypes within one week, earning recognition in major trade magazine and solidifying position within company. ● Enhanced mobile app's user interface and functionality, drastically improving Android and iOS ratings to 3.7 and 4.8, respectively.
Oct 2016 - April 2018
Director of Marketing and Design
Entangle Media
1 Years and 7 months
Pioneered design and UX department at graphics application firm, transforming company's approach to design from non-existent to industry-leading. Masterminded multifaceted client solutions, delivering social media, website enhancement, and impactful marketing materials for high-profile clients in diverse sectors including healthcare and education. ● Conceptualized and built advanced audiovisual studio from ground up, elevating company's capability to produce cutting-edge video content and sophisticated marketing materials. ● Fostered strong stakeholder relationships, translating complex concepts into compelling brand stories and bringing identity of company and diverse clientele to life.
Recent articles
I write about the future of design and the life of a Product Experience Executive
User Experience Isn’t a Nice-to-Have, It’s a Growth Strategy
User Experience is no longer a finishing touch, it’s a strategic function that drives product adoption, saves time, and fuels business growth.
Jun 30, 2024
User Experience Isn’t a Nice-to-Have, It’s a Growth Strategy
User Experience is no longer a finishing touch, it’s a strategic function that drives product adoption, saves time, and fuels business growth.
Jun 30, 2024
The Best Tools for Innovative UX
What are the best tools for todays UX teams?
Apr 8, 2025
The Best Tools for Innovative UX
What are the best tools for todays UX teams?
Apr 8, 2025
How to Land Your First UX Role: Advice From a UX Executive Who Hires Them
Breaking into the industry when you have no experience.
Feb 26, 2025
How to Land Your First UX Role: Advice From a UX Executive Who Hires Them
Breaking into the industry when you have no experience.
Feb 26, 2025
Load more
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User Experience Isn’t a Nice-to-Have, It’s a Growth Strategy
User Experience is no longer a finishing touch, it’s a strategic function that drives product adoption, saves time, and fuels business growth.
Jun 30, 2024
The Best Tools for Innovative UX
What are the best tools for todays UX teams?
Apr 8, 2025
How to Land Your First UX Role: Advice From a UX Executive Who Hires Them
Breaking into the industry when you have no experience.
Feb 26, 2025
UX Is a Strategic Function — Not a Service
Why Empowered UX Teams Create Better Products, and Stronger Companies
Jun 30, 2025
Load more