KASNER
UI/UX Design Strategy
Humanity Centered Design
Designing for Impact
Bridging Design and Philosophy
Asking why we design, not what.
I am Rian Kasner
I call myself a philosophical designer. I crave impact and connection. I design for the sake of social contribution. For the sake of humanity.
I want to cause ripple effects.
humanity centered design
Portfolio of Work
Resume
Professor of UI/UX and Digital Design
Utah Tech University Jul 2024 – Present
I teach emerging designers to think beyond screens and toward impact. My courses bridge UX research, interface design, and design thinking with an emphasis on ethics and purpose. We talk about not just how to design, but why we design. I built and teach multiple graduate and undergraduate classes that move from discovery and user research through wireframing, prototyping, and data-driven storytelling. I mentor students as they work with real clients, guiding them to translate complex insights into elegant, intuitive solutions. In helping to develop the new Master of UX Design curriculum, I’ve focused on embedding critical thinking and humanity-centered design at every level of the process.
Founding Studio Director
Studio Node Apr 2025 – Present
I lead a local design studio that connects university designers with community partners to create meaningful, conscious work. I guide teams through research, ideation, and implementation, balancing user needs with organizational goals. My role combines mentorship, creative direction, and project strategy, helping young designers navigate the realities of client communication, iteration, and collaboration. Studio Node operates like a professional agency, but with a classroom’s curiosity, using design to make real change in our local community.
Enterprise Creative Director
97th Floor Aug 2022 – Jul 2024
I led creative strategy for global clients across technology, SaaS, and B2C sectors. My focus was to bridge analytics and empathy. I directed teams of designers to build digital experiences, partnering closely with clients to align business goals with authentic brand storytelling. I mentored designers through their professional growth, and fostered a culture of collaboration rooted in curiosity and intentional design. I also ran leadership trainings throughout the company to create a trusting culture.
Visual Designer
97th Floor Aug 2021 – Jul 2022
Working alongside strategists and UX leads, I helped craft user-informed visuals for campaigns, websites, and brands across worldwide industries. My goal was always to create work that invited understanding rather than demanded attention.
Owner & Muralist
Mural R Feb 2019 – Jan 2023
I designed and painted 25+ large-scale murals across 5 states for businesses and public spaces, using storytelling as a way to humanize environments and build community identity. Each project began with understanding the people, history, and atmosphere of a space before putting color to wall. This is the foundation in showing me how much our industry is ultimately about connection: helping people see themselves reflected in their surroundings and feel a sense of belonging.