About Me

I’m Nicole Brennan, a Senior Product Designer and Board-Certified Cognitive Specialist with two decades of experience designing systems that serve real people—and actually work.

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I’ve built products used by millions, from federal platforms like USA.gov, Vote.gov, and Search.gov to private-sector tools in energy, education, and finance. My work spans a full redesign of the government’s digital front door (USA.gov), voter registration workflows, personalized energy reports at ICF, mobile banking apps, and online learning platforms. I specialize in untangling complexity and turning it into intuitive, inclusive, and scalable solutions.

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My expertise sits at the intersection of accessibility, behavior-driven design, and systems thinking. I don’t just check boxes—I design for cognitive load, trauma-informed use, and real-world messiness. That means building for everyone, not just the “default” user.

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I’ve led cross-functional teams, scaled design systems, conducted research with assistive tech users, and built full-stack strategies from the ground up. I mentor emerging designers, give national talks on neurodiversity and accessibility, and shape inclusive design practices that prioritize long-term impact over trend.

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Outside of work, I explore the same ideas through photography—clarity, connection, and how people make sense of the world.

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Let’s build something usable, honest, and worth someone’s time.