I design systems for
the work that actually
gets done
My path to product design didn't start in a design agency. It started in the field, coordinating HVAC permits, chasing down inspectors, navigating four platforms simultaneously, and thinking constantly about why none of them worked the way people actually worked. Eventually I stopped waiting for someone else to fix it and started designing it myself.
Whitney Cullens · Charlotte, NC
A designer who came up
through the work itself
I have a BFA in Advertising Art Direction from Columbia College Chicago, which taught me how to think conceptually and communicate with clarity. But the design education that shaped me most happened on the job.
I spent years inside Morris-Jenkins, one of the largest HVAC companies in the Southeast, as an Install Coordinator and Subject Matter Expert. I sat inside the permitting process every day: scheduling inspections across multiple counties and jurisdictions, navigating four platforms simultaneously, catching the bugs no one else noticed because I was the one whose work broke when they went unfixed.
That's where I developed the instinct that drives everything I design now: the best systems don't just look good, they work right for the specific operational context they live in. A date field off by one day isn't a cosmetic issue. On a permit inspection tool, it's a missed inspection. On a rental property, it's a compliance failure waiting to happen.
I care about the difference between those things. That's not something you learn in a classroom.
Nonlinear by design,
and stronger for it
My career hasn't followed a straight line from design school to design studio. It's moved through advertising, digital marketing, sales, operations, and product, and every role added something the next one needed.
Morris-Jenkins / Wrench Group, Install Coordinator & SME
Led UAT for Wrench Connect permitting platform. Selected by leadership as SME trainer for ServiceTitan transition. Participated in Mecklenburg County's On-Demand Live Remote Inspection pilot. Earned 2025 Code Hero recognition. Managed permit lifecycles across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical across multiple jurisdictions and regions.
YP, Digital Marketing Strategist
Developed digital marketing strategies for small and mid-size businesses. Built analytical skills and client communication discipline that directly inform how I approach product problems today.
Advertising, Copy & Print, Sales
Copy and Print Account Manager, advertising creative, social media management, brand design. Built a foundation in communication, client needs, and making things work under deadline, skills that never stopped being useful.
BFA, Advertising Art Direction, Columbia College Chicago
Conceptual thinking, brand systems, visual storytelling, strategic design. The formal training that shaped how I balance creativity with structure and vision with execution.
I find the problem
beneath the problem
When I was brought in as SME on Wrench Connect, the brief was essentially "help us test this tool." What I actually did was identify that the problem wasn't just the tool, it was the entire operational context the tool lived inside. The delays weren't in tasks. They were in handoffs. The bugs weren't cosmetic. They were compliance risks.
That's how I approach every design problem now. I map the workflow before I touch a design file. I ask who loses when this breaks, not just who's annoyed when it's clunky. I look for the structural issue underneath the surface complaint.
Design
- Product & UX Design
- Figma · Wireframing
- Design Systems
- Component Specs
- Accessibility
Operations
- UAT & QA
- Workflow Mapping
- Process Documentation
- ServiceTitan
- Accela · Wrench Connect
Strategy
- Stakeholder Communication
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Digital Marketing
- Brand & Content
- Training & Enablement
The work in
plain numbers
Where the formal
training began
BFA, Advertising Art Direction
Conceptual thinking, brand systems, visual storytelling, and strategic design. That foundation shapes how I approach product work today, balancing creativity with structure, and vision with execution. The Chicago skyline in my headshot isn't an accident.
Since graduating, my education has been continuous and deliberate, covering product design, data analytics, AI-assisted workflows, and the kind of learning that only happens when you're deep inside a real operational problem with real consequences.
What the people I've
worked with say
"I've had the pleasure of working with Whitney Cullens, and she's the kind of colleague who immediately lifts the energy of any team. Beyond that, she stands out for all the right reasons: strong work ethic, reliability, and the ability to deliver results without needing to be chased. What really sets her apart is how intentional she is about leaving things better than she found them. She doesn't just complete tasks - she documents processes clearly and thoughtfully, creating practical training materials for new members to ramp up quickly. She's organized, target-driven, and highly effective at getting things done."
"Whitney is an exceptional Install Coordinator who consistently goes beyond to deliver high customer satisfaction and quality work. She exhibits a keen eye to detail, a strong ability to problem-solve, and a collaborative spirit that elevates the entire team. Whether handling complex projects or assisting colleagues, her commitment to excellence is evident in every task undertaken."
"It is with great pleasure that I recommend Whitney Cullens. Whitney is a very personable, goal-driven, honest, intelligent person who truly wanted to be better than the day before. She thrives in a collaborative environment and is always looking to learn while mentoring those who seek her assistance."
Ready to work on something
that actually matters?
I'm open to product designer roles, especially teams building complex operational tools, civic tech, enterprise platforms, or anything where design and operations intersect. Based in Charlotte, open to remote.