About Crystal Munson
From crafting iconic title sequences, and transforming spaces into an interactive canvas, to developing imaginative experiences for brands such as NASA JPL, Begin, and Grand Park, I apply storytelling, design, and technology to build customer experiences that matter.
IMAGINATIVE EXPERIENCES
Whether it’s an in-person experience, mobile app, social media ad, website, conceptual design, or a combination - a great experience blends story, design, and content to let your imagination run wild. I bring worlds to life through iconic main titles, multimedia content, imaginative experiences, and immersive spaces.
Whether it’s an in-person experience, mobile app, social media ad, website, conceptual design, or a combination - a great experience blends story, design, and content to let your imagination run wild. I bring worlds to life through iconic main titles, multimedia content, imaginative experiences, and immersive spaces.
TRANSFORMING SPACES
A chocolate shop evolved into a sensory retail experience. A cherished ritual to energize 70,000 park visitors. Los Angeles’ Grand Park transformed into a digital art installation. Combining experience design, storytelling, and innovative technology - I create worlds that leave guests captivated.
A chocolate shop evolved into a sensory retail experience. A cherished ritual to energize 70,000 park visitors. Los Angeles’ Grand Park transformed into a digital art installation. Combining experience design, storytelling, and innovative technology - I create worlds that leave guests captivated.
SERVICES
I provide a wide range of design and creative services, with all of my projects and processes driven by a deep desire to keep evolving.
UX Research
Video Editing
Photo Editing & Enhancements
Project Management
Brand Identity & Strategy
Presentation Decks
Social Media Strategy & Content
Prototyping & Prototype Testing
UX Writing
Mobile App & Website Design
Marketing
...and so much more!
Education
B.S. Interaction Design | Santa Monica College
A.S. Graphic Design, A.S. Business, A.S. Marketing, A.A. Liberal Arts & Humanities
Department Certificates: Entrepreneurship, Digital Marketing, Social Media Specialist, Web Design, User Experience Design
A.S. Graphic Design, A.S. Business, A.S. Marketing, A.A. Liberal Arts & Humanities
Department Certificates: Entrepreneurship, Digital Marketing, Social Media Specialist, Web Design, User Experience Design
View my Resume
Experience
July 2020-Present
maddog design
Founder, Experience Architect, Design Ninja (freelance)
August 2022-July 2023
Santa Monica College
Web Content Strategist
August 2020-June 2022
Santa Monica College
Head of Social Media Marketing & Design
August-November 2021
Grand Park & Downtown Center Business Improvement District
My Roles: Project Manager, Research Lead, Prototyping, User Testing
Concept: Art at the Park
February-May 2020
Chocolate Shop Service Design
My Roles: 3D Artist, Research Lead, Visual Storyteller, Conceptual Designer
Concept: Build-a-Bar
Feb-June 2019
Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera (LA MET)
Services Provided: Logo & Press Kit Design
Reviews
"We enjoy Crystal's work so much that we made up a new verb, often discussing what needs to be “crystal-ized.”. Crystal is very reliable and has consistently provided fabulous customer service with timely delivery of innovative designs. She is a true pleasure to work with and I highly recommend him!”
-Jordan S. | Founder & CEO
“Thank you for your extremely fast turnaround, excellent communication, and fantastic work. I have worked with numerous graphic artists over the years and Crystal was by far the best to work with. She confirmed the details and assisted me with a fresh innovative design"
- Jay P. | Director of Non-Profit
"Crystal has a knack for researching analyzing, and solving problems. Resulting in designs that don't just look pretty, they make your company more valuable."
-Leslie K. | CEO
HOW CAN I HELP?
Brainstorming something from scratch, responding to a brief, or leaning on my video production expertise, I have you covered. Let’s make something fun together!
Thanks for reaching out. I'll get back to you as soon as humanly possible. 😉
OUTTAKES
Anyone who's had to write a bio about themselves knows, it ain't easy. But we're HUMAN. It would be a little concerning if writing a statement about oneself came easily. There have been many versions of the bio I wrote above, and there will be many more to come. Some outtakes I couldn't bring myself to leave off the page. I hope they give you a little more insight into "who Crystal is." Or at least make you laugh!
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I am a maestro of meticulous organization, slicing through confusion with compassionate clarity. My research is a lantern in the dark, revealing hidden issues and conjuring insightful, often uncharted solutions. This I do with boundless optimism and sharp business insight, ever-mindful of the pulsing ecosystem around me—the team I synergize with, the end-users we serve, and the fiscal narratives we craft. To me, every strand of a story weaves a tapestry of empathy, uniting design, business, and humanity. I champion the philosophy that hard work and joy are not mutually exclusive, but essential partners in excellence. We live in the moment, drawing wisdom from yesterday, casting dreams for tomorrow, but always seizing the now. Here and now, in this very instant, is where we have the power to conjure wonders.
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Always living and thinking outside the octahedron. (The first logo I designed for myself was a 3D octahedron. The second was the same logo but unfolded.)
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I'm an interaction designer who believes every person is infinitely valuable and deserves to live life to the fullest. I use the power of stories to research and design products and experiences that help users grow and become the best versions of themselves, psychologically, emotionally, and physically so that they may live a full life and share their light with the world. I also believe that failure is the key to success, the way out is through, and the only way to dance is as if no one is watching.
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Hey! I'm Crystal. How are you today? I'll tell you about myself in a moment, but first, if you're up for it, I'd like you to close your eyes, take a deep breath in, and reflect on where you are at this moment. Think of one thing you're grateful for and one thing that would make today a great day for you.😉 (I'm always striving to elevate the experience of life for those around me.)
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I'm an interaction designer, born and raised in Holland, Michigan, and currently reside in Los Angeles. My passion lies in design that blends creativity with logic and reason. From making something beautiful to analyzing user feedback, I approach every step with enthusiasm, determination, curiosity, and obsessive attention to detail. I'm a natural leader with a smaller-than-average ego, which means I'm equally comfortable taking the lead or having a supportive role on projects. 🙋🏼♀️
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There's a time to design the experience
and a time to design an experience that allows users to create their own experience.
I can help you regardless of what 'time it is!' ⏰
and a time to design an experience that allows users to create their own experience.
I can help you regardless of what 'time it is!' ⏰
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I'm not your average Crystal, I'm an extraordinary Crystal. I'm a bit of a dreamer, but I'm also a realist. I'm here to make a difference and spread a little love and laughter. 💫
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Me & my 'BFF' Companion, hangin' in Playa Vista, where I rollerblade every day.
Forget safety.
Live where you fear to live.
Destroy your reputation.
Be notorious.
- Rumi