Chris Balin

Design & Product Leader

I transform complex systems into simple user experiences that deliver measurable business results.

Design & product leader who thrives in ambiguous 0-1 spaces, bringing clarity through strategy and execution.

conversion rate

+18.4%

Turned 20-minute phone calls into a 5-minute self-service experience.

revenue impact

$6M+

Rebuilt clunky workflows to capture revenue that was slipping through the cracks.

support calls

-50%

Simplified complex interfaces so users could navigate without needing assistance.

completion rate

+3%

Optimized abandoned user journeys through data and experimentation.

Problems I Solve

I specialize in solving complex design and product challenges that sit at the intersection of user experience, business operations, and technical systems. My approach combines deep systems thinking with practical design execution.

Growth-Limiting Operational Bottlenecks

I transform manual processes into scalable systems that support exponential growth without proportional cost increases.

Revenue Leakage in Customer Journeys

I identify and eliminate friction points in complex customer journeys to improve conversion rates and drive revenue growth.

Business-Blocking System Complexity

I simplify complicated operational systems that prevent digital transformation and create unsustainable technical debt.

Cross-Functional Decision Paralysis

I create alignment between competing business, technical, and user perspectives to break organizational deadlocks.

Work

Self-Service Scheduling

Converting $1M+ Revenue from Manual to Digital

View case study
Self-Service Scheduling

Smarter Call Center Tools

Cutting 20-Minute Calls to 12 Minutes

View case study
Smarter Call Center Tools

Insurance Simplification

77% Less Complexity, 20% More Revenue

View case study
Insurance Simplification

My Journey

Aster (2024-Present)

Product and Design Lead

Where I integrate product strategy with design execution

Directing strategy and roadmap for the entire platform. Translating business vision into actionable plans and leading a cross-functional team to deliver cohesive solutions that drive growth.

DispatchHealth (2021-2024)

Lead Product Designer

Where I connected user experience directly to revenue

Led end-to-end transformation of manual workflows into digital experiences, delivering over $6M in measurable business impact.

Applause (2019-2021)

Senior Product Designer

Where I balanced technical depth with user simplicity

Designed for multi-sided platforms with competing needs – technical depth for developers and accessibility for testers.

PowerReviews (2016-2018)

UX Designer

Where I built systems that amplified user capability

Created self-service tools that eliminated dependencies and empowered users to achieve business outcomes independently.

Inventables (2014-2016)

UX/UI Designer

Where I learned to make technical complexity accessible to non-technical users

Transformed technical fabrication processes into intuitive workflows for makers with varying expertise.

Chris Balin

Fun Facts

  • 🌏Grew up in Tokyo and central Massachusetts
  • πŸŽ₯Childhood dream job: movie director
  • 🌁Have lived in New York, Chicago, and now San Francisco
  • πŸ”οΈFavorite country visited so far: Nepal
  • 🐱2 fluffy cats
  • πŸ’1 amazing fiancΓ©e
  • πŸ‘¨β€πŸ³Love to cook
  • 🌯Favorite burrito in SF: El Castillito
  • 🎬Favorite movie: City of God
  • 🎹Make weird electronic music for fun
  • 🚲Like to move (bikes, walks, runs, road trips, trains)
Connect with me