Megan Whelen, product designer. I make tools people love.
Ten years as the first and only designer at health and AI startups, owning everything from research to shipped code.
- Now
- Staff Product Designer, Layer
- Also
- Yuna, In Truth, Reputable, Akili, UCSF
- Background
- Psychology degree, then front-end development
- Based
- B.C., Canada. Remote.
Selected work
Six case studies, 2017 to now.
Yuna
An AI wellness coach app. I redesigned onboarding so new users start talking to the coach right away.
+59%more new users sent a first message (Android A/B test)
In Truth
A stress-tracking wearable. I designed the app, brand and AI assistant to calm you, not alarm you.
3 platformsphone, desktop and wearable, from one design system
Akili
The first FDA-authorized video game treatment, for ADHD. I designed how families see it working.
+25%treatment adherence after adding a progress score
Reputable
A health startup. I helped it pivot from a consumer app to a research platform.
$1M+raised, double the target
ACE Explorer
A UCSF attention test for kids, rebuilt as a game they wanted to finish.
60 kidstested it in schools
Layer
AI art, 3D and video tools for game studios. I led two redesigns and ship them in code.
94production code changes shipped since JulyWhat I do
From first interview to shipped code.User research
50+ usability tests at Reputable. Home visits and caregiver interviews at Akili. 60 students at UCSF.
Product design
Flows and UI for iOS, Android and web, from onboarding to dashboards to AI assistants.
Design systems
Built and shipped component libraries at Akili, Reputable, Yuna and Layer.
Prototyping in code
A front-end developer before I was a designer. 94 production code changes at Layer since July.
What colleagues say
LinkedIn recommendations from product managers, colleagues and clients."Megan understands the human problem... She will always champion for zooming out to consider the whole experience. Oh, and she is also a total pro at orchestrating a cohesive and easy-to-use design system and process."Product manager, LinkedIn
"She was a whiz when it came to not just UX/UI, storyboarding, etc., but more importantly getting things done!"Neuroscape, UCSF, LinkedIn
"Consistently impressed with her steadfast commitment to our company's overall design culture, voice, and extremely high standard."Colleague at Akili, LinkedIn
Experience
Ten years in health tech and AI: in-house lead roles, a founding designer role and consulting.
| 2025–now | Layer | Staff Product Designer | AI art, 3D and video tools for game studios |
| 2026 | Yuna | Lead Product Designer | AI wellness coach app |
| 2023–25 | Reputable Health | Founding Designer | Health research platform using wearable data |
| 2018–23 | Akili | Senior Product Designer | FDA-authorized video game treatment for ADHD |
| 2022 | Mastermind Sports | UX Consultant | VR neuroscience training |
| 2019–20 | Flow Genome Project | Brand Designer | Brand identity and website |
| 2017–18 | Neuroscape, UCSF | Lead UX/UI Designer | Attention and memory test for kids, as a game |
| 2015–17 | Number 41 Media | Interaction Designer | Public health web apps |
| 2015 | North Studio | Front-End Developer | Where it started |
Let's make something people love.
meganryll@gmail.comStart with a 30-minute call.
- Full-timeStaff and lead product design roles. Remote from B.C., Canada.
- Brand and design system sprintA brand identity and a matching component library, ready for engineers to build with.
- Fractional design leadPart-time design leadership through a launch or a pivot.