Riley Sykes
About Riley Sykes
Riley Sykes is a Lead Product Designer specializing in Design Systems at The New York Times, where they have worked since 2022. With a background in industrial design and a diverse skill set, Sykes focuses on creating cohesive digital experiences that align user needs with business objectives.
Current Role at The New York Times
Riley Sykes serves as the Lead Product Designer for Design Systems at The New York Times. In this role, Sykes focuses on developing cohesive design systems that enhance the digital experiences of users. This position has been held since 2022, contributing to the alignment of user needs with business objectives.
Previous Experience at The New York Times
Riley Sykes has held multiple positions at The New York Times, starting as a Junior Designer in Experience Optimization from 2017 to 2018. Sykes progressed to Associate Product Designer for Conversion from 2018 to 2020, and then served as a Product Designer for Subscriber Retention from 2020 to 2021. Sykes also worked as a Senior Product Designer for both Design Systems and Subscriber Retention in 2021.
Education and Expertise
Riley Sykes studied at the Rhode Island School of Design, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) from 2012 to 2017. Sykes also completed a Pre-College program at the same institution in 2011. This educational background provides a strong foundation in design principles and practices.
Diverse Skill Set
Riley Sykes possesses a diverse skill set that includes AI design and prototyping, woodworking, ceramics, and 3D modeling. This range of skills supports a user-focused design process, allowing Sykes to address various visual, functional, and cultural challenges in digital product design.
Background in Design
Riley Sykes has a background in brand development, communication, advertising, and packaging design. Prior to focusing on digital design, Sykes worked as an Industrial Designer at Loft, LLC in 2014 and as a User Interface Designer at DIRECTV in 2015. Additionally, Sykes has experience in educational roles, including positions as a Teacher's Assistant and Woodshop Monitor at the Rhode Island School of Design.