NICOLE BERNSTEIN
2021 - 2026
HEAD OF USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN & RESEARCH
The RealReal
Transformed The RealReal’s cross-platform digital experience by scaling design and research to earn customer trust, drive supply, and increase conversion with intuitive tools, features, and a modernized interface.
AI Generated Estimates
Dynamic price and earnings estimator for customers and sales reps to understand the value of luxury items on TRR
Digital Closet & Reconsignment
Patented digital closet that enables customers to visualize, curate, estimate, and sell their luxury items
Buyer Discoverability
Reimagined Saved Searches, Obsessions, visual similarity product modules, and Recently Viewed in Search
Buyer Enhancements
Incremental modernization of the TRR buyer experience that scaled the design system and drove conversion
Future Vision
Articulated a future vision for The RealReal where customers can understand the value of their items, visualize them in ways they could never before, and experience personalized selling and buying based on dynamic marketplace conditions
My Closet MVP
2026
Visual Recognition
2026
2021
USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN & RESEARCH
Nike Valiant Labs
Led the end-to-end experience design for Momentum, Nike’s first community-based running app, from initial field research and live prototyping to a successful 2022 launch and the eventual integration of key features into the global Nike Run Club ecosystem.
Momentum App
Community based running app designed for women starting their running journeys
Engagement
Users came back to Nike
14%
new members
29%
lapsed members
Crosssover
Users visited other Nike platforms
49%
activity
53%
app / .com / SNKRS
Daily Habit
Users moved more
30%
finished guided run
49%
said running more
2008 - 2016USER EXPERIENCE & BRAND DESIGN
IDEO
Directed the design and execution of next-generation products and experiences, leveraging deep consumer insights to shape the future offerings of some of the world’s best brands.
Amazon Fresh Pick Up
Led the design and full scale prototyping of Amazon’s first brick and mortar experience (c. 2015), a digitally-enabled pick up service that was built and then rolled into the Whole Foods experience
Related Companies
Led the research and concept development to guide Related as it entered the California market with luxury rentals targeted at wealthy Millennials in tech and entertainment
Ethnographic Research
Led field research with target renters and photographed their homes and belongings to bring their stories to life
Creative Direction
Produced a coffee table book for Related executives summarizing insights, concepts, and recommendations
Concept Development
Developed concepts informed by renter insights that could be applied to Related’s portfolio in California
2018 - 2019IRL : URL EXPERIENCE DESIGN
Lyric
Built the first experience design team and directed the strategy for a new category of luxury accommodations, leveraging deep consumer insights to design physical and digital touchpoints to serve the modern business traveler.
Just-in-time food & beverage
Piloted a food and beverage offering that celebrated our local communities and leveraged the kitchens in our units
Connecting guests to place
Piloted experiences that got our guests out into the community and rewarded local small businesses and partners
Launching a flagship
Piloted a suite of service concepts for the launch of Lyric at 70 Pine, our flagship property in New York City
NICOLE BERNSTEIN
Design leader, team builder, strategist, and mentor with 18 years of experience at The RealReal, Nike, and IDEO.
2021 - 2026
HEAD OF USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN & RESEARCH
The RealReal
Transformed The RealReal’s cross-platform digital experience by scaling design and research to earn customer trust, drive supply, and increase conversion with intuitive tools, features, and a modernized interface.
AI Generated Estimates
Dynamic price and earnings estimator for customers and sales reps to understand the value of luxury items on TRR
Digital Closet & Reconsignment
Patented digital closet that enables customers to visualize, curate, estimate, and sell their luxury items
Buyer Discoverability
Reimagined Saved Searches and Obsessions, visual similarity product modules, and Recently Viewed in Search
Buyer Enhancements
Incremental modernization of the TRR buyer experience that scaled the design system and drove conversion
Future Vision
Articulated a future vision for The RealReal where customers can understand the value of their items, visualize them in ways they could never before, and experience personalized selling and buying based on dynamic marketplace conditions
My Closet MVP
2026
Visual Product Recognition
2026
2021USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN & RESEARCH
Nike Valiant Labs
Led the end-to-end experience design for Momentum, Nike’s first community-based running app, from initial field research and live prototyping to a successful 2022 launch and the eventual integration of key features into the global Nike Run Club ecosystem.
Momentum App
Community based running app designed for women starting their running journeys
Engagement
Users came back to Nike
14%
new members
29%
newly lapsed members
Crosssover
Users visited other Nike platforms
49%
activity
53%
app / .com / SNKRS
Daily Habit
Users moved more
30%
completed guided run
49%
said running more
2008 - 2016USER EXPERIENCE & BRAND DESIGN
IDEO
Directed the design and execution of next-generation products and experiences, leveraging deep consumer insights to shape the future offerings of some of the world’s best brands.
Amazon Fresh Pick Up
Led the design and full scale prototyping of Amazon’s first brick and mortar experience (c. 2015), a digitally-enabled pick up service that was built and then rolled into the Whole Foods experience
Related Companies
Led the research and concept development to guide Related as it entered the California market with luxury rentals targeted at wealthy Millennials in tech and entertainment
Ethnographic Research
Led field research with target renters and photographed their homes and belongings to bring their stories to life
Creative Direction
Produced a coffee table book for Related executives summarizing insights, concepts, and recommendations
Concept Development
Developed concepts informed by renter insights that could be applied to Related’s portfolio in California
2018 - 2019IRL : URL EXPERIENCE DESIGN
Lyric
Built the first experience design team and directed the strategy for a new category of luxury accommodations, leveraging deep consumer insights to design physical and digital touchpoints to serve the modern business traveler.
Just-in-time food & beverage
Piloted a food and beverage offering that celebrated our local communities and leveraged the kitchens in our units
Connecting guests to place
Piloted experiences that got our guests out into the community and rewarded local small businesses and partners
Launching a flagship
Piloted a suite of service concepts for the launch of Lyric at 70 Pine, our flagship property in New York City