Rahul Alindib Akber
Design Principal -IBM Research | Product Design · Ecosystem Strategy · Creative Direction
📍 Dallas–Fort Worth, TX | 📞 817-798-0627 | ✉️ alindib@yahoo.com
🌐 rahulakber.com | LinkedIn | Behance
Profile
A seasoned design executive with two decades of experience in bridging technology and humans through impactful design. Leading $2B+ in AI and emerging tech portfolios while staying intimately involved in the craft itself, ensuring every product unites clarity, emotion, and precision. He is regarded highly as a creative problem solver and innovative thinker.
Experience
Design Principal - IBM Research | 2024–Present
• Directed design strategy for an $8B+ emerging technology portfolio, improving research tool usability and engagement.
• Established a unified ecosystem of tools and services, enhancing workflow efficiency across global research teams.
• Designed AI-driven products for IBM Research, leveraging Granite, WatsonX, Llama, Watson Orchestrate, and Claude models.
• Partnered with leadership to embed user-centered design practices across the research lifecycle.
• Established a unified ecosystem of tools and services, enhancing workflow efficiency across global research teams.
• Designed AI-driven products for IBM Research, leveraging Granite, WatsonX, Llama, Watson Orchestrate, and Claude models.
• Partnered with leadership to embed user-centered design practices across the research lifecycle.
Senior Design Strategy Lead - IBM Research| 2021–2024
• Enabled 3500+ researchers with improved UX workflows, Reduced design handoff time by 25% via ecosystem unification.
• Led research-based design strategy, vision, and innovation initiatives to align scientific researchers and designers under a shared ecosystem model.
• Developed researcher archetypes and frameworks that informed product and experience strategy.
• Optimized usability and workflow efficiency through systemic design improvements and tool harmonization.
• Led research-based design strategy, vision, and innovation initiatives to align scientific researchers and designers under a shared ecosystem model.
• Developed researcher archetypes and frameworks that informed product and experience strategy.
• Optimized usability and workflow efficiency through systemic design improvements and tool harmonization.
Creative Director, IBM GSC | 2015–2021
Built and led a cross-functional design team. Drove product vision, team culture, and design excellence across sectors, including finance, telecom, and retail. Delivered user-focused solutions powered by research, design thinking, and cutting-edge tech (AI, Cloud, Blockchain, IoT).
Built and led a cross-functional design team. Drove product vision, team culture, and design excellence across sectors, including finance, telecom, and retail. Delivered user-focused solutions powered by research, design thinking, and cutting-edge tech (AI, Cloud, Blockchain, IoT).
Spaceodd (Independent Studio) Founder & Creative Director | 2011–2015
Ran a global remote studio delivering digital products and campaigns across industries. Clients included Paramount, Mary Kay, Emirates Airlines, Pepsico, and JCPenney. Oversaw UX/UI, product design, branding, and marketing.
Ran a global remote studio delivering digital products and campaigns across industries. Clients included Paramount, Mary Kay, Emirates Airlines, Pepsico, and JCPenney. Oversaw UX/UI, product design, branding, and marketing.
Senior Art Director, UX & Digital - Texas Instruments | 2012–2014
Led creative for education tech initiatives. Delivered video, print, and interactive experiences backed by design research and UI/UX best practices.
Led creative for education tech initiatives. Delivered video, print, and interactive experiences backed by design research and UI/UX best practices.
Creative Group Head, Art & Digital - Grey Group | 2011–2012
Managed teams and campaigns, trained creatives, and contributed to award-winning work.
Managed teams and campaigns, trained creatives, and contributed to award-winning work.
Web & Brand Consultant - Orion Security Services Ltd. | 2008–2012
Built the digital and brand presence, created guidelines, and developed long-term marketing strategies.
Built the digital and brand presence, created guidelines, and developed long-term marketing strategies.
Junior Designer to Senior Art Director - Burson-Marsteller | 2005–2011
Worked across branding, design, and campaigns. Grew into leadership, managing creative output and ideation.
Worked across branding, design, and campaigns. Grew into leadership, managing creative output and ideation.
Education
North South University – BBA, Marketing (2005–2009)
Skills
Design Strategy · UX Research · Product Vision · Creative Leadership · Design Systems · Human-Centered Design · AI & Emerging Tech
Languages
English (Fluent) · Bengali (Native)
Awards & Recognition
Winner, Fabulous Four, Adfest 2010
Winner, Young Lotus & Sharpner, Asia Pacific Adfest (2007–2008)
Certifications
IBM Recognized Teacher · AIGA Design Leader · IBM Design Principal · IBM Design Mentor · IBM Design Thinking Collaborator · iOS Design · Affordance & Intuitive Interfaces
Contact me
Thank you!
With the spirit of making things, I have created a deck of playing cards with my personal design and life philosophies as quotes and prompts.
AIGA Design Leadership Certification