I’m a designer based in New York City, by way of Santiago, Dominican Republic.
My family moved to the US when I was twelve. We didn’t have much, my parents didn’t have formal educations, and I landed in a new country figuring things out on my own. Making things was how I made sense of it: taking apart computers, folding origami, building kites, drawing constantly. I still can’t get through a day without unpacking how the world around me works. Everything is designed, and I’ve never stopped noticing.
That instinct became a career. Over the last ten-plus years I’ve built digital brands and products. Not as separate disciplines, but as one system, where how something looks, feels, and works is a single decision. I’ve done it across nearly every kind of environment: scrappy internships, creative agencies, big tech, startups, and my own independent practice.
Lately I’ve been designing instruments instead of artifacts. With AI I can build my own tools now, and it’s changed how I work more than anything in years. LAB is where those live.
I believe design is one of the few real levers we have on how people live, so I try to earn every choice. I don’t make things loud for the sake of it, and I don’t simplify them past the point where they stop meaning anything. Find the idea, cut the noise, protect the intent.
Currently a Designer on Robinhood’s Product Creative team. I’m also taking on select freelance work, and always up for a good conversation. Reach me at rafcesp@gmail.com.
Senior Visual Designer, Product Creative at Robinhood (NYC)
Aug 2026 – Present
Working at the intersection of visual and product design, helping maintain, evolve, and elevate Robinhood's design language through better systems, AI-powered workflows, and custom tooling.
Principal at Rafael Cespedes, I.D.P. (NYC, Remote)
Feb 2022 – Present
Operate an independent design practice focused on helping new businesses get off the ground. Partner with founders during foundational stages to handle everything from early strategy and ideation to branding, product design, and pitch materials.
Lead Product Designer, Creative Intelligence at Vidmob (NYC)
Dec 2019 – Feb 2022
Led my own workstream developing Vidmob's core B2B creative analytics tool. The work contributed to official partnerships with major platforms including Facebook and TikTok, and long-term contracts with enterprise clients like J&J and Meta. Collaborated with product managers, engineers, and leadership to define complex user needs and prioritize features within a fast-moving environment.
Senior Designer at Vidmob (NYC)
Dec 2018 – Nov 2019
Led design for Vidmob's digital marketing channels, collaborating with the Creative Director and CMO to define website strategy and overhaul the user experience. Contributed through a period of significant growth, with the company scaling from 38 to over 400 employees.
Senior Designer at IBM (NYC)
Jul 2017 – Nov 2018
Led UI design and contributed to UX strategy, collaborating with cross-functional teams to build digital products from the ground up. Pitched, won, and oversaw design development for the Live Nation mobile app, while creating websites, apps, and scalable design systems for clients including BMW, Chanel, UPS, JetBlue, UBS, and Mediaocean.
UI/UX Designer at Resource/Ammirati (NYC)
May 2015 – Jul 2017
Led UI design and branding across a spectrum of projects. Key work includes the e-commerce design for Markor's new brand (Zest), brand identity and web design for Manhattan Skyline, and digital marketing content for Jerry Seinfeld (CCC). Also designed web experiences and visuals for Nintendo's Wii U & 3DS launches, alongside building responsive websites, design systems, and social assets for clients including Labatt, Pirate's Booty, Sweet'n Low, and Brooklyn Bowl.
Design Intern at Brooklyn Navy Yard (NYC)
Jun 2013 – Feb 2014
Design Intern at NYC College of Technology (NYC)
Jan 2012 – Dec 2012
Product Design: Figma, Claude Design, and other AI copilots
Graphic Design: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, AI image tooling
Motion Design: Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, LottieLab
Code: HTML & CSS, P5.js (2D), Three.js (3D); AI-assisted coding
Awwwards Site of the Day 2024
Awwwards Site of the Day 2022
Awwwards Site of the Month 2022
FWA Site of the Month 2022
City Tech Arts & Advertising Design 2011 – 2013
Rafael Cespedes is a NYC-based
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