About

Design leader with 20+ years of experience building and scaling high-performing UX, UI, and multidisciplinary design teams across streaming platforms, AI-driven health products, and emerging consumer technologies.

I’ve led design from early concept through launch across mobile, TV (10ft), and wearable platforms—most recently building a design organization from the ground up for a next-generation streaming product. My work spans zero-to-one product development, large-scale platform design, and organizational transformation within Fortune 10 companies.

I’m known for creating strong, collaborative teams and establishing clear design processes that improve speed, quality, and alignment. I partner closely with product, engineering, and research to deliver thoughtful, scalable experiences that balance innovation with real-world constraints.

Fun facts:
– Attended over 100 comic book and horror conventions
– Contributed to three of the most hated graphics packages at FOX Sports
– Worked on both the highest- and lowest-rated TV events of their time
– Backyard chef

kemper.bates@gmail.com      download resume

Management Philosophy

Empower designers to lead, not just execute

No Micromanagement

Encourage ideas and challenges from every level

Invest in long-term team growth alongside immediate delivery

Create strong cross-functional partnerships early

Experience

Confidential Streaming Product - Design Leadership

August 2024 – Present

Leading design for an unannounced streaming platform across mobile and TV experiences. Built and scaled the UX/UI organization from the ground up, including hiring, team structure, and workflows. Defined product and design direction in partnership with Product and Engineering leadership. Established streamlined design review and feedback systems across distributed teams. Balanced UX innovation with technical feasibility to deliver scalable, production-ready solutions.

Amazon — UX Manager

May 2022 – May 2023

Led UX and UI design for AI-driven health and wellness products across mobile and wearable devices. Managed and mentored a team of 6 designers across UX and UI. Partnered with product, engineering, research, and marketing to deliver AI- and computer vision–enabled experiences. Rebuilt design review and delivery processes, improving team velocity and cross-team alignment. Scaled team through hiring and coaching. Facilitated workshops to align stakeholders across disciplines. Hands on Figma designs and prototyping for Halo Trainer.

AT&T / DIRECTV — Associate Director, UX

March 2016 – November 2021

Directed UX for large-scale OTT streaming platforms and Satellite TV. Led a team of 8 UX, UI, and copy writers across multiple locations. Delivered streaming experiences to 2M+ subscribers across mobile, TV, and emerging platforms. Maintained UX consistency across Android, iOS, tvOS, Roku, Tizen, Fire TV, Xbox, and more. Led UX of Satellite TV with 19M subscribers. Navigated multiple organizational restructures during mergers while maintaining delivery continuity. Partnered with global agencies (IDEO, Massive, Icon) to scale design output. Built experimentation frameworks including prototyping and A/B testing. Hired and developed team talent (6 hires, 3 promotions).

POSSIBLE — Creative Director, Motion & Interaction

August 2008 – March 2016

Led a 15-person multidisciplinary design team delivering interactive and motion-based experiences. Directed projects across interactive TV, gaming, web, and brand campaigns. Managed cross-functional teams including UX, visual design, motion, and copy writing. Delivered work for clients including Microsoft, PlayStation, Comcast, Target, Reuters, and Mitsubishi. Oversaw concept development through production, including storyboards and prototypes. Built and scaled a high-performing creative organization

FOX Sports — Art Director

February 2003 – August 2008

Designed graphics packages for major live events including the Super Bowl and World Series. Produced daily broadcast graphics and animation across all sports properties. Collaborated with leading motion studios to create high-end 3D content. Directed talent for film shoots. Created characters with pencil on paper.

Awards

Emmy Award — Targeted Ad Delivery Across Paused Media

Emmy Award — Outstanding Graphic Design, NFL on FOX Super Bowl XXXIX

Key Art Award (1st Place) — Best Motion Graphics

Education

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) BFA, Graphic Design

Corporate Leadership Training — Amazon, AT&T

Skills

Design Leadership & Org Building

UX/UI Strategy (Mobile, TV, Wearables, Emerging Technology)

Cross-Functional Alignment

Product Thinking & Roadmapping

Prototyping & Experimentation

Tools: Figma, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator