Alexander Schräder Berlin / Remote

Freelance Lead Product Designer • Complex Platforms • Berlin / Remote

Lead Product Designer for complex digital platforms.

I work as an independent Lead IC: strategy and workshops when needed, hands-on UX/UI and system delivery when it matters. I help teams structure complexity, align stakeholders, and ship reliably.

Interim / Fractional Design Lead Stakeholder alignment UX for complex flows Platform architecture

SUCCESSFULLY WORKED WITH

DKB Code Factory (DKB) SAP Celonis Cyberport
2M+ customersShipped improvements across high-reach banking journeys
Mission‑critical UXClarity for complex, high-stakes workflows (finance + enterprise analytics)
Multi‑partner platformsWhite-label foundations that scale across brands, roles, and constraints
Design system adoptionPatterns, tokens, and governance to reduce rework across teams

Featured Work

Tap a bubble to filter case studies. Tap again to reset. (Esc clears)


Two-track skill set

Two modes, one outcome: clarity and shipped work. Use the bubbles above to highlight relevant case studies, or browse the capabilities below.

Leadership & Strategy

Alignment, clarity, and momentum in complex organisations.

Product & design strategyFraming problems, defining principles, and mapping bets to outcomes.
Stakeholder managementCross-functional alignment across product, engineering, compliance, and partners.
Workshop facilitationDecision-ready sessions: prioritisation, journey mapping, and trade-offs.
Team leadership & mentoringCoaching, feedback loops, hiring support, and healthy delivery rhythms.
Design system governanceStandards, component ownership, and consistency across products.
Research planningEvidence-driven decisions through lightweight, continuous research.
Metrics & impact thinkingDefining success measures and tracking product change.

Hands-on UX/UI Craft

High-fidelity execution that ships well and scales.

Interaction designClear states, micro-interactions, error handling, and responsiveness.
PrototypingFrom quick click-throughs to realistic prototypes for validation.
UI craftTypography, layout, hierarchy, and polish without sacrificing speed.
Component & pattern designReusable, documented components that keep teams aligned.
AccessibilityKeyboard, contrast, semantics, and inclusive design habits.
Testing & iterationUsability tests, quick feedback loops, and shipping improvements.

Services

Clear engagement formats for teams shipping complex products. Strategy and workshops when needed, hands-on UX/UI and system delivery when it matters.

UX Audit + Action Plan

Fast clarity. Identify friction, validate assumptions, and leave with a prioritized plan your team can execute.

  • Heuristic review + usability risks
  • Workflow + journey mapping (incl. roles)
  • Prioritized backlog (quick wins + roadmap)
  • Optional: low-fi prototype to de-risk solutions
Typical timeline: 1–2 weeks Output: report + backlog

Fractional / Interim Design Lead

Bring structure to delivery. Align stakeholders, unblock teams, and raise quality while shipping continuously.

  • Product direction + roadmap support
  • Workshop facilitation + decision-making
  • Design quality, rituals, mentoring
  • Hands-on delivery where it counts
Typical: 2–4 days/week Duration: 3–6 months

Design Systems Foundations

Reduce rework and increase consistency. Build a system teams actually adopt, with governance that sticks.

  • Audit + system architecture
  • Tokens + component guidelines
  • Contribution model + governance
  • Adoption plan + documentation baseline
Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks Output: system + adoption plan

About

I care about…

  • Clarity under constraintsRegulation, stakeholders, legacy systems. Still ship.
  • Craft that earns trustDetails that make products feel calm, not brittle.
  • Teams that move togetherShared language, fewer debates, better decisions.

I’m good at…

  • Leading + doingRun the room, then polish the UI.
  • Design systems adoptionTokens, governance, and “yes, people actually use it”.
  • Workshops with outcomesMapping, prioritising, trade-offs, next steps.
How I work Independent Lead IC for complex platforms. I run alignment workshops, structure UX and product foundations, and deliver hands‑on UX/UI and design systems (Berlin or Remote, EU).
Portrait photo

Contact

For freelance and contract engagements (Berlin/Remote, EU). Book a call or reach out directly.

Berlin • Remote • EU © Alexander Schräder Imprint · Privacy