I'm Mikael.
Design Leadership | Hands-on Craft
I help organizations define, design, and evolve digital products and services that improve lives and drive business growth.
Impact Through Design.
With 20+ years of design across industries and markets, I guide organizations in using design strategically to shape products, build effective teams, and deliver meaningful outcomes.
Impact Through Design.
With 20+ years of design across industries and markets, I guide organizations in using design strategically to shape products, build effective teams, and deliver meaningful outcomes.
Impact Through Design.
With 20+ years of design across industries and markets, I guide organizations in using design strategically to shape products, build effective teams, and deliver meaningful outcomes.
Hands-on
I am a designer who leverages design tools to clearly communicate ideas and align vision with measurable outcomes. My approach centers on collaboration. I listen actively, engage stakeholders across disciplines, and foster shared understanding to deliver the best possible results.
Hands-on
I am a designer who leverages design tools to clearly communicate ideas and align vision with measurable outcomes. My approach centers on collaboration. I listen actively, engage stakeholders across disciplines, and foster shared understanding to deliver the best possible results.
Strategy
I see design as a vital business tool for continuously uncovering user behaviors, needs, and expectations. By becoming true experts on our users, we can set a clear direction, align around a shared vision, and create a lasting strategic advantage.
Strategy
I see design as a vital business tool for continuously uncovering user behaviors, needs, and expectations. By becoming true experts on our users, we can set a clear direction, align around a shared vision, and create a lasting strategic advantage.
Leadership
In my experience, meaningful change happens when agendas are aligned and the right conditions for growth are in place. I am committed to helping others succeed by fostering a collaborative, cross-functional environment and empowering my peers to reach their full potential.
Leadership
In my experience, meaningful change happens when agendas are aligned and the right conditions for growth are in place. I am committed to helping others succeed by fostering a collaborative, cross-functional environment and empowering my peers to reach their full potential.
I’ve contributed as a hands-on designer and design leader for:
I’ve contributed as a hands-on designer and design leader for:
I’ve contributed as a hands-on designer and design leader for:
I’ve worked with design across various industries and domains.
SaaS, payments, invoicing, and financial services spanning investing and saving at top-tier fintechs.
SaaS, payments, invoicing, and financial services spanning investing and saving at top-tier fintechs.
Streaming platforms across music and on-demand video subscriptions.
Streaming platforms across music and on-demand video subscriptions.
Web and app checkouts and in-store payment services.
Web and app checkouts and in-store payment services.
E-magazine, audio, and e-book offerings in the entertainment subscription domain.
E-magazine, audio, and e-book offerings in the entertainment subscription domain.
Direct account-to-account (A2A) via open banking. Web and app banking services.
Direct account-to-account (A2A) via open banking. Web and app banking services.
Complex internal tools and advanced management procedures.
Complex internal tools and advanced management procedures.
I recently worked at PayPal, driving improvements to the Invoicing experience.
Senior UX Design Lead
At PayPal, I led the Invoicing Design Pod, enhancing the end-to-end platform to drive adoption, flexibility, and more efficient payment experiences — strengthening PayPal’s competitive edge.
Senior UX Design Lead
At PayPal, I led the Invoicing Design Pod, enhancing the end-to-end platform to drive adoption, flexibility, and more efficient payment experiences — strengthening PayPal’s competitive edge.
LEAD DESIGNER
GEN AI
DESIGN STRATEGY
EXPERIENCE VISION
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
HANDS-ON
PRODUCT DELIVERY
PROTOTYPING
DISCOVERY
VISUAL DESIGN
I believe in balancing strategic work with strong hands-on execution.
Director of Product Design
Led the product design team at Qapital, building and scaling a thriving design organization that attracted top-tier designers and researchers, fostered a healthy culture, and elevated design as a driver of product and business success.
Director of Product Design
Led the product design team at Qapital, building and scaling a thriving design organization that attracted top-tier designers and researchers, fostered a healthy culture, and elevated design as a driver of product and business success.
Director of Product Design
Led the product design team at Qapital, building and scaling a thriving design organization that attracted top-tier designers and researchers, fostered a healthy culture, and elevated design as a driver of product and business success.
LEADERSHIP
DESIGN STRATEGY
EXPERIENCE LED
FINTECH
STRATEGIC RESEARCH
EXPERIENCE VISION
STAFF
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
Area Design Lead
We built shared knowledge of how money flows between Zettle and PayPal, translating complex financial processes into clearer, more seamless user experiences.
Area Design Lead
We built shared knowledge of how money flows between Zettle and PayPal, translating complex financial processes into clearer, more seamless user experiences.
Area Design Lead
We built shared knowledge of how money flows between Zettle and PayPal, translating complex financial processes into clearer, more seamless user experiences.
AREA LEAD
EXPERIENCE LED
FINTECH
TRANSFORMATION
DESIGN STRATEGY
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
Senior User Experience Designer
I led the design of PayPal’s Business Debit Mastercard in San Jose, creating new functionality for multiple cardholders to make business spending more flexible and efficient.
Senior User Experience Designer
I led the design of PayPal’s Business Debit Mastercard in San Jose, creating new functionality for multiple cardholders to make business spending more flexible and efficient.
Senior User Experience Designer
I led the design of PayPal’s Business Debit Mastercard in San Jose, creating new functionality for multiple cardholders to make business spending more flexible and efficient.
FINTECH
PRODUCT DELIVERY
DISCOVERY
HANDS-ON
VISUAL DESIGN
PROTOTYPING
USABILITY
WEB
APP
Senior User Experience Designer
As part of Qliro’s checkout team, I helped design a next-generation checkout experience, simplifying payments for buyers and merchants and driving adoption among leading online stores.
Senior User Experience Designer
As part of Qliro’s checkout team, I helped design a next-generation checkout experience, simplifying payments for buyers and merchants and driving adoption among leading online stores.
Senior User Experience Designer
As part of Qliro’s checkout team, I helped design a next-generation checkout experience, simplifying payments for buyers and merchants and driving adoption among leading online stores.
FINTECH
PRODUCT DELIVERY
DISCOVERY
VISUAL DESIGN
HANDS-ON
IN-STORE
PROTOTYPING
VISION
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
WEB
APP
UX Strategist and Advisor
I supported Trustly in creating a design team that could both elevate existing products and shape future services, bringing in strategic design thinking and hands-on methods to boost adoption and efficiency.
UX Strategist and Advisor
I supported Trustly in creating a design team that could both elevate existing products and shape future services, bringing in strategic design thinking and hands-on methods to boost adoption and efficiency.
UX Strategist and Advisor
I supported Trustly in creating a design team that could both elevate existing products and shape future services, bringing in strategic design thinking and hands-on methods to boost adoption and efficiency.
FINTECH
DESIGN STRATEGY
DISCOVERY
PRODUCT LED
HANDS-ON
LEADERSHIP
TEAM BUILDING
PROTOTYPING
VISION
WEB
Experience Design Lead
I contributed to Readly’s vision of digital magazines by researching user journeys, identifying expectations and pain points, and co-creating solutions. This work helped define the future experience and guided improvements that support stronger adoption and retention.
Experience Design Lead
I contributed to Readly’s vision of digital magazines by researching user journeys, identifying expectations and pain points, and co-creating solutions. This work helped define the future experience and guided improvements that support stronger adoption and retention.
Experience Design Lead
I contributed to Readly’s vision of digital magazines by researching user journeys, identifying expectations and pain points, and co-creating solutions. This work helped define the future experience and guided improvements that support stronger adoption and retention.
DESIGN LEAD
DESIGN STRATEGY
RAPID GROWTH
DISCOVERY
PROTOTYPING
TEAM BUILDING
APP
VISUAL DESIGN
HANDS-ON
EXPERIENCE VISION
Senior Product Designer
At Klarna, I helped reimagine the in-store journey. By mapping challenges and refining interaction design, we created a more intuitive flow that reduced friction and enhanced the overall shopping experience for both customers and merchants.
Senior Product Designer
At Klarna, I helped reimagine the in-store journey. By mapping challenges and refining interaction design, we created a more intuitive flow that reduced friction and enhanced the overall shopping experience for both customers and merchants.
Senior Product Designer
At Klarna, I helped reimagine the in-store journey. By mapping challenges and refining interaction design, we created a more intuitive flow that reduced friction and enhanced the overall shopping experience for both customers and merchants.
FINTECH
DISCOVERY
PROTOTYPING
CONCEPT
VISUAL DESIGN
HANDS-ON
EXPERIENCE VISION
DESIGN EXCELLENCE
APP
Experience Design Lead
I helped develop Viafree’s sports initiative, designing an experience that delivered timely, relevant sports content in a narrative flow with fewer ads—resulting in higher engagement and longer streaming sessions.
Experience Design Lead
I helped develop Viafree’s sports initiative, designing an experience that delivered timely, relevant sports content in a narrative flow with fewer ads—resulting in higher engagement and longer streaming sessions.
Experience Design Lead
I helped develop Viafree’s sports initiative, designing an experience that delivered timely, relevant sports content in a narrative flow with fewer ads—resulting in higher engagement and longer streaming sessions.
LEAD DESIGNER
RESEARCH LED
PROTOTYPING
CONCEPT
DISCOVERY
VISUAL DESIGN
MULTIPLE PLATFORMS
PRODUCT DELIVERY
EXPERIENCE VISION
HANDS-ON
Senior User Experience Designer
At Aleris X, I led early design work alongside the founder to shape the foundations of Doktor24 and Platform24. Our mission was to build a patient-centered healthcare platform that made access to preventive and digital care more seamless, supporting a healthier world.
Senior User Experience Designer
At Aleris X, I led early design work alongside the founder to shape the foundations of Doktor24 and Platform24. Our mission was to build a patient-centered healthcare platform that made access to preventive and digital care more seamless, supporting a healthier world.
Senior User Experience Designer
At Aleris X, I led early design work alongside the founder to shape the foundations of Doktor24 and Platform24. Our mission was to build a patient-centered healthcare platform that made access to preventive and digital care more seamless, supporting a healthier world.
DESIGN STRATEGY
DISCOVERY
PROTOTYPING
CONCEPT
HANDS-ON
APP
STARTUP
EXPERIENCE VISION
PRODUCT DELIVERY
Senior Product Designer
I was responsible for the discovery phase of Spotify’s next content curation platform, working with the Product Programming team to design better tools for music editors. The improvements supported more efficient workflows and helped deliver a more engaging and personalized listening experience, driving higher user satisfaction and streaming growth.
Senior Product Designer
I was responsible for the discovery phase of Spotify’s next content curation platform, working with the Product Programming team to design better tools for music editors. The improvements supported more efficient workflows and helped deliver a more engaging and personalized listening experience, driving higher user satisfaction and streaming growth.
Senior Product Designer
I was responsible for the discovery phase of Spotify’s next content curation platform, working with the Product Programming team to design better tools for music editors. The improvements supported more efficient workflows and helped deliver a more engaging and personalized listening experience, driving higher user satisfaction and streaming growth.
DISCOVERY
PROTOTYPING
INTERNAL TOOL
CONCEPT
HANDS-ON
USER INTERVIEWS
DESIGN EXCELLENCE
EXPERIENCE LED
PRODUCT DELIVERY