kate watkins

staff product designer

I'm drawn to complex product problems: dense information, emerging technology, and moments where users need help turning raw data into a decision. The ones I enjoy most involve AI and untangling complex workflows.

Most recently, I designed AI-powered, data-rich experiences on Crunchbase's core UX team, leading efforts across AI company profiles, AI search, and the editor and contributor flows. Increasingly, that meant setting product direction and aligning design, engineering, and data science teams. Most of it comes back to one question: how do you introduce AI into high-trust workflows in a way that users can understand, evaluate, and act on?

Before Crunchbase, I designed CMS tools, mobile news apps, interactive maps, and data-heavy visual experiences. That mix still shapes how I design: I care about structure, narrative, and how information feels when people actually have to use it.

I studied painting and journalism before earning an MFA in Design + Technology at Parsons, where I focused on creative coding, physical computing, and interaction design. Outside of work, I'm usually making something: drawing, working on textile projects, or experimenting with code.

Want to connect?
Find me on LinkedIn.
If you're interested, you can find my artwork here.