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Hi, I'm Neil — Founder of Sonify AI, Co-Creator of Wildlife Control, and a Grammy nominated music producer

I design innovative products, build disruptive companies, and launch iconic brands.

As featured in

Future of Design Speaking Dates

  • Digital Innovation Summit · May 20-22 '19 · Naples, FL
  • PanAgora Pharma CX · Mar 27 '19 · Summit, NJ
  • Experience Design Week · Feb 25-27 '19' · Denver, CO
  • CEM in Telecoms Global Summit · Jan 29-31 '19 · London, UK
  • Digital Innovation Summit · Nov 14-16 '18 · Riviera Maya, MX
  • CMO Insights Summit · Nov 14-16 '18 · Riviera Maya, MX

Future proof, High impact product

I first started programming in BASIC on an IBM PCjr in 1985. Things have changed considerably since then. Retina displays, machine learning, and ubiquitous connectivity make this an exciting time to design products that blur the traditional boundaries between physical and digital spaces. With multiple patents in A.I. driven interfaces, I see an amazing future ahead for humanity.

Product · Venmo

A testament to the longevity of great design, Venmo has remained largely unchanged since the major shift to iOS7 and Material Design in 2013 and 2014. As of Q1 2019, Venmo is now processing over $21B in payment volume per quarter. more …

I created Venmo's first style guide unifying our design aesthetic across iOS, Android, and all external channels. The attention to detail paid off — our users loved the clean lines and simplicity of the app redesigns, and Venmo received its first editorial features on Apple's App Store and Google Play.

Company: Venmo/PayPal

Role: Creative Director

Skills: interaction design, visual design, icon design

See the app(APP STORE)

TV Interface · Fios

Given our focus on reliability, improving the 10-foot experience was a long process that went through many twists and turns. We eventually took a strategy to evolve the older UI over time, section by section. The revamped look centered around a voice remote and made the user and their content the hero. more …

Company: Verizon

Role: Head of Design

Skills: design management, matrix management, agency management

Product video(YouTube)

Hardware · Fios TV One

Our new hardware focused on simplicity, self-installation, and voice remote based interface.

Early pilots are currently running in select markets. more …

Company: Verizon

Role: Head of Design

Skills: design management, matrix management, vendor management

Product video(YouTube)

Tablet + Mobile · Fios TV

This multi-year redesign of Verizon's mobile TV app was a massive undertaking and required partnering with internal and external teams to significantly improve the UI and update the aesthetics. more …

I ensured the app fit within a modernized overall consumer design ecosystem and new Verizon brand. Read more about this release and see before and afters on Android Police.

Company: Verizon

Role: Head of Design

Skills: design management, matrix management, agency management

See the app(APP STORE)

App · My Fios

I lead a complete overhaul of Verizon's account and internet management app. Typically a full app redesign at a Fortune 15 would take 18-24 months, hundreds of people, and a massive budget. I implemented lean product processes and put together a small cross-functional team. Together we shipped fully redesigned apps for iOS and Android in under 6 months. more …

Even more impressive than the speed to market was the stellar product team that continued to refine the app. My Fios quickly went from 3 star to 5 star ratings and every major KPI followed suit, improving significantly in the years following the redesign.

Company: Verizon

Role: Head of Design

Skills: design management, matrix management, operational transformation

See the app(APP STORE)

Site · Epicurious.com

I rapidly prototyped a major redesign of epicurious.com that served as the basis of a new, modern site. I also designed and built dozens of features and sections throughout the site. more …

Publisher: Condé Nast

Role: Senior Designer/Developer

Skills: user interface design, front end code

Webby Food & Beverage – 2006, 2010, 2011

W3 Award – 2008

JBF Winner – 2008, 2009

MPA Best Online Community – 2007

epicurious.com

Site · Style.com

I designed user interface updates on style.com, the online home of Vogue and Vanity Fair, a site that receives well over 100M unique visitors per month. more …

Publisher: Condé Nast

Role: Senior Designer/Developer

Skills: user interface design, front end code

Webby Fashion – 2006, 2008

W3 Awards – 2008

MPA Site of the Year – 2007

style.com

Site · Start Here, Go Places.

Start Here, Go Places. is one of the longest running digital marketing initiatives, a highly successful site launched by the AICPA to help recruit talent into the accounting profession. As a designer/developer, I helped turn what may seem like a dry topic into an exciting opportunity for future CPAs. more …

Agency: Young & Rubicam

Role: Senior Designer/Developer

Skills: site design, HTML/CSS

Webby Associations – 2006, 2007

AME Award – 2007

WMA Award– 2006

Startheregoplaces.com

Site · Stride Gum

I helped redesign and build stridegum.com to modernize the aesthetic and improve scalability and maintainability. The one page site utilizes Facebook integration for content and community engagement. more …

Agency: JWT

Role: Lead Creative Technologist

Skills: interaction design, API integration

Stridegum.com

Building Disruptive, Transformative Businesses

Sure, these are buzzwords that everyone throws around. It's easy to want to be distruptive, much harder to take the risks needed to get there. Understanding how markets shift and what customers really want establishes the clarity and vision needed to inspire organizations to change the world.

Venmo feels like a small startup—and in many ways it is—to this day fewer than a hundred team members efficiently run the number one mobile payment app in the U.S. more …

In the early days we faced competition from some of the biggest and trendiest names in tech. But we understood the commerce landscape and how to focus on core product value. We established, with our users, that when it came to sending money, Venmo was THE way to do it.

I frequently find myself in conversations with executives who say Venmo's disruptive operating model can't work at scale. Looking at the continued growth curve in quarterly payment volume and a digital user base that now surpasses most big banks, I think our model scales pretty *** well.

Learn more about the 40 million users and massive momentum of Venmo on CNBC.

In telecom, Fios's story from 2016-2019 was referred to as defying gravity. At a time when consumers are rapidly moving from linear TV to OTT, how can a legacy player in a traditional vertical remain viable? more …

We maintained revenue with a focus on our cutting edge fiber product, the only consumer market available gigabit speed internet. To improve our customer experience while reducing cost, I lead the movement towards modern, lean ops, much like you'd find at a startup. The digital transformation internally was monumental and helped pave the way for our 5G operating model.

We significantly improved margin by accelerating the shift to digital, improving by 2X Y/Y for multiple years. Within Verizon, the execution of this strategy represented a viable path toward the future.

Read the press release on Fios Gigabit Connection.

Dasher

GIFs in messaging, real-time location, and seamless payments in via text is now fairly standard. But before anyone was doing that, Dasher Messenger was innovating features that made messaging a much richer form of communication than it was back in 2014. more …

An early advisor and investor, I watched this awesome team push ahead of the curve and modernize how we communicate. Dasher was a great messaging platform, available on iOS, Android, and desktop web.

Dasher was an acquisition target of most of the major messaging platforms and you might say they all ended up "borrowing" many features. Dasher was acquired in 2016 by Anheuser-Busch InBev as part of their digital innovation strategy.

Read more about Dasher on TechCrunch.

Iconic, Era-Defining Brands

We live in an age when products are brands (and brands are products). A deep understanding of the purpose and mission behind a brand and how to get that message across in the market is essential. Connecting that with a great product, building trust, and establishing loyalty is unstoppable.

Brand · Venmo

As Creative Director, I authored Venmo's first set of brand guidelines. My efforts developing a unified cohesive vision and communications strategy has helped make Venmo the leading person to person payments service, loved by it's passionate user base. more …

During my time as CD, the number of active users grew 10x. In 2013 we crossed annual payment volume run rate of $1B, surpassing Starbucks as the mobile payments app processing the highest volume.

Company: Venmo/PayPal

Role: Creative Director

Skills: visual systems design, communication strategy

PYMNTS Innovation Award – 2014

brand guidelines(PDF)

Campaign · Lucas uses Venmo

Lucas uses Venmo was an out-of-home transit advertising hit, raising considerable awareness for the brand in New York City and across the country. more …

I put together a tight knit, talented team that rapidly took the creative from a kernel of an idea to a full blown strategy and New York City subway takeover. The case study highlights the massive impact of this campaign for Venmo.

Earned media about the campaign ranged from New York Times to Fox News. But true cultural relevance can be seen in the dozens of copycat ads that have since run in the New York subway system, all hoping to capitalize on the meme-ification of Venmo Lucas.

Company: Venmo/PayPal

Role: Creative Director

Skills: strategy, management, art, photography, copy, layout

Case Study(PDF)

Brand · Royal Caribbean Connect

I helped determine the best approach for Royal Caribbean to leverage their customers’ social activity. This initially began by creating a new brand called “Nation of Why Not”, which was launched to encourage Royal Caribbean’s users to share their photos and experiences online. more …

This later consolidated with other offline efforts to become Royal Caribbean Connect, which integrates various social networks into a single online destination at royalcaribbean.com.

Agency: JWT

Role: Lead Creative Technologist

Skills: wireframes, user flow, interface design, API integration

brand identity guide

Brand · Caymankind

I co-wrote the theme song for a major brand activation for the Cayman Islands. The song was recorded by popular musicians native to the islands, and promoted locally as well as on national and global TV spots for several years. Music is such a huge part of broadcast creative, and it was an honor to write for a campaign with a song at its center. more …

Agency: Chowder/Limebeat

Role: Songwriter

Skills: melody, lyrics, heart

HSMAI Adrian Award – 2012

Hear Caymankind(YOUTUBE)

Campaign · HSBC Wimbledon Unlock

The HSBC Wimbledon Unlock campaign was a unique, mobile technology driven integrated campaign. Ads were placed throughout New York City with exclusive Wimbledon content that could only be accessed by scanning a QR code. The campaign was centered around HSBC's annual experiential Wimbledon campaign at Rockefeller center, which featured dozens of unique QR codes, with opportunities to “unlock” experiences like “free strawberries and cream”. more …

I lead the integration of the out-of-home ads with QR codes, mobile specs, and video playback over the myriad of cellular networks. With many new technologies at play, there was high potential for creative, but also high risk. I used my full skill set from art direction to tech direction to make sure all the puzzle pieces came together. I carefully analyzed various specifications and provided direction for art, video, and code. I also worked closely with the QC team to establish a unique and comprehensive test plan prior to campaign launch.

Agency: JWT

Role: Lead Creative Technologist

Skills: team management, art, video specs, tech specs, deployment, test methodology development

hsbc.wimbledon.com

“If I were not a physicist...” – Einstein

I crossed the 10,000 hour mark practicing the piano many years ago. That has translated into some very unexpected professional opportunities in the arts. Here's a few that make me feel good to be alive.

Founder · Wildlife Control

I co-founded a creative lab with my brother, who is also a designer/musician. We named our collaboration Wildlife Control — after a renegade animal control activist in Brooklyn who drives a Cadillac ambulance car decaled in stickers inspiring our name. more …

We periodically release music, videos, and interactive experiences that are often experimental and push the boundaries of what was previously possible. Our work has been featured in WIRED, Gizmodo, and MTV.

Role: Founder

Skills: art direction, music production, experiential design

Billboard Next Big Sound 2012

Analog or Digital

Music · Various Artists

I produce and record with artists from around the world. My credits include studio work with pop stars like Kanye West and Britney Spears. But I'm deeply proud of my work producing independent artists like Jason Soffer, Sam Kulik, and Pamela Rodriguez, for whom I co-produced the single Ligera Love. Her album is phenomenal and was nominated for a Latin Grammy. more …

Role: Producer

Skills: production, arrangement

Latin Grammy Nomination – 2012

Hear Ligera Love

Goodbye, for now

Please contact me via email — neil(at)neilshah.com

Credits by Vertical
Finance / Banking
  • Venmo/PayPal - brand, product, comms · Creative Director · 2013, 2014
  • Bank of America - Hi-Res Biosolutions · Agency: Red Thread/Limebeat · Composer/Producer · 2012
  • Transamerica - Tomorrow · Agency: Refinery · Composer/Producer · 2011
  • HSBC - Wimbledon Unlock · Agency: JWT · Lead Creative Technologist · 2010
  • American Express - Webisode · Direct Client · Composer/Producer · 2010
  • Citibank - Thank You Rewards · Agency: Young & Rubicam · Role: Designer/Developer · 2005
Telecom / Automotive / Education / Energy / Fashion / Retail / Tech
  • Verizon - consumer products and innovation · Head of Design · 2016-2019
  • Hyundaiusa.com - Site · Agency: iCrossing · Director Digital Product · 2008
  • Lincoln Tech - Site · Agency: iCrossing · Director Digital Product · 2007
  • Carney Sandoe & Associates - Site · Agency: iCrossing · Role: Director Digital Product · 2007
  • Style.com - Site · Publisher: Condé Nast · Senior Designer/Developer · 2006, 2007
  • Microsoft - TechEd Sites · Agency: Young & Rubicam · Designer/Developer · 2004/2005
  • AT&T - 411 Site · Agency: Young & Rubicam · Designer/Developer · 2005
  • Chevron - Will You Join Us · Agency: Young & Rubicam · Lead Designer/Developer · 2005, 2006
Travel/Hospitality/Tourism
  • Royal Caribbean - Nation of Why Not · Agency: JWT · Creative Technologist · 2011
  • Cayman Islands Tourism - Caymankind · Agency: Chowder/Limebeat · Songwriter · 2011
  • Hilton - Branded Sites · Agency: iCrossing · Director Digital Product · 2008
  • Concierge.com - Site · Publisher: Condé Nast · Designer/Developer · 2006
Consumer Packaged Goods / Food & Beverage
  • Stridegum.com - Site · Agency: JWT · Lead Creative Technologist · 2011
  • O’Charly’s - Save and Crave · Agency: Merkely + Partners/Limebeat · Role: Instrumentalist/Vocalist · 2011
  • Applebees - Two for Twenty · Agency: McCann Erickson/Limebeat · Role: Arranger · 2009
  • Epicurious.com - Site · Publisher: Condé Nast · Designer/Developer · 2006, 2007
  • Philip Morris - QuitAssist Site · Agency: Young & Rubicam · Lead Designer/Developer · 2005
Honors and Recognitions
  • J.D. POWER WINNER - Verizon · 2018
  • PC MAGAZINE READERS CHOICE WINNER - Verizon · 2018
  • CIO 100 WINNER - Verizon · 2018
  • J.D. POWER WINNER - Verizon · 2017
  • PC MAGAZINE READERS CHOICE WINNER - Verizon · 2017
  • CIO 100 WINNER - Verizon · 2017
  • J.D. POWER WINNER - Verizon · 2016
  • PC MAGAZINE READERS CHOICE WINNER - Verizon · 2016
  • BANK INNOVATION COOLEST BRANDS WINNER - Venmo · 2015
  • NEW MEDIA AWARDS WINNER - Venmo · 2015
  • PYMNTS Innovation Award - Venmo · 2014
  • Latin Grammy Award (nominee) - Reconocer · Pamela Rodriguez · 2012
  • HSMAI Silver Adrian Award - Caymankind · Cayman Islands Tourism · 2012
  • Webby · Food & Beverage - epicurious.com · Condé Nast · 2011
  • Webby · Food & Beverage - epicurious.com · Condé Nast · 2010
  • JBF Award · Food Website - epicurious.com · Condé Nast · 2009
  • Caples Award - Willyoujoinus.com · Chevron · 2008
  • Webby · Fashion - style.com · Condé Nast · 2008
  • W3 Award - epicurious.com · Condé Nast · 2008
  • W3 Award - style.com · Condé Nast · 2008
  • IAC Award · Best Energy Interactive Application - Willyoujoinus.com · Chevron · 2008
  • JBF Award · Food Website - epicurious.com · Condé Nast · 2008
  • AME Award - startheregoplaces.com · AICPA · 2007
  • MPA Award · Best Online Community - epicurious.com · Condé Nast · 2007
  • MPA Award · Best Mobile Strategy - epicurious.com · Condé Nast · 2007
  • MPA Award · Fashion Site of the Year - style.com · Condé Nast · 2007
  • Webby · Associations - startheregoplaces.com · AICPA · 2007
  • Effie Award - Willyoujoinus.com · Chevron · 2007
  • Webby · Fashion - style.com · Condé Nast · 2006
  • Webby · Food & Beverage - epicurious.com · Condé Nast · 2006
  • WMA WebAward - startheregoplaces.com · AICPA · 2006