John Cortese
About John Cortese
John Cortese is a Lead Product Designer at Inspire Brands, where he has worked since 2022. He has extensive experience in product design and has held various roles at companies such as CSC, PGC, and MRM//McCann.
Current Role at Inspire Brands
John Cortese serves as the Lead Product Designer at Inspire Brands, a position he has held since 2022. In this role, he is responsible for leading design initiatives and collaborating with a centralized UX team. His work involves engaging with pod teams that include product managers, developers, analysts, and researchers to create cohesive and user-centered design solutions. Additionally, he contributes to the evolution of the enterprise design system, ensuring that design practices align with the company's objectives.
Previous Experience in Product Design
Before joining Inspire Brands, John Cortese held several significant roles in product design. He worked as the Product Design Lead at CSC from 2020 to 2022, where he led design projects in Wilmington, Delaware. Prior to that, he was a Design Lead Consultant at Precision Global Consulting for four months in 2020. His experience also includes a tenure as a Freelance Art Director at MRM//McCann in 2017, where he contributed to various design projects in Princeton, New Jersey.
Career Background in Design
John Cortese has a diverse background in design, having worked in various capacities across multiple organizations. His career began as a Graphic Designer at The Topps Company from 2006 to 2007. He then progressed to roles such as Digital Supervisor at H4B Chelsea and Creative Director at Sharecare, Inc. He also served as an Interactive Art Director at Rosetta Marketing Group from 2010 to 2013. His extensive experience includes freelance positions and consulting roles, showcasing his adaptability and expertise in the design field.
Educational Qualifications
John Cortese holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from The College of New Jersey, where he studied from 2000 to 2004. He also attended Fairleigh Dickinson University for one year, focusing on Graphic Design before transferring to TCNJ. His educational background has provided him with a strong foundation in design principles and practices, which he has applied throughout his career.
Mentorship and Team Collaboration
In his current role at Inspire Brands, John Cortese actively mentors other designers, sharing his knowledge and experience to foster growth within the design team. He emphasizes collaboration within the centralized UX team, working closely with product managers, developers, analysts, and researchers. This collaborative approach enhances the design process and ensures that user needs are prioritized in product development.