Keep It Simple Silly
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Keep It Simple Silly 〰️
About Me
I'm Ranier Tinkelenberg — a Product Designer with 5+ years of experience, a BA in Psychology from Sacramento State, and a brain that's wired a little differently. Being neurodivergent isn't a footnote to my work; it's the reason I care so deeply about the gap between how something functions and how it actually feels to use. Psychology gave me the framework. Design gave me the tools. The rest is trial, error, and about 1,000+ hours of self-teaching at odd hours of the way early mornings and late nights.
I have a thing for negative space. In design, in interiors, in life. The Japandi and Mid-Century Modern philosophies say it best — do more with less, and let the simplicity do the heavy lifting. That's the K.I.S.S. principle in practice, and it guides everything I make.
Outside of work, I'm volunteering with local creative non-profits, documenting life on a film camera, and lurking in record bins hunting for hidden gems. Trivia nights, good coffee, and two cats named Greg and Phoebe round out the rest. Greg and Phoebe do not contribute to the design process. They do, however, contribute to the overall vibes.
Peer reviews
“I had the opportunity to work with Ranier while serving as a Director at Blue Shield of California, and he consistently impressed me as a strong, reliable designer. Ranier was a standout during our Guided Shopping project, where he navigated complex, cross‑functional work with confidence and skill. He asks smart questions, listens carefully, and handles ambiguity well. These qualities helped us improve the overall experience design and ship a best‑in‑class product.
He’s the kind of team member I could always trust in the room—he shows up prepared, brings a pragmatic outlook, and is respectful of different perspectives. Any organization would benefit from Ranier’s collaborative style and steady decision‑making. I recommend him without hesitation”
— Carmen Zagazeta (Design Director @ Blue Shield of California))
"Drawing on his background in psychology, Ranier brings a deep understanding of user behavior and motivation to his problem-solving, which leads to insights that elevate the work. On top of all that, he brings a great sense of humor and creative energy to the workplace, making him not only a strong designer but also a genuinely enjoyable teammate."
— Sean Donnelly (Former co-worker @ Blue Shield of California)
"Ranier asks intelligent questions that help the team focus on the main goals for our users and business needs, and consistently delivers high-quality results. He also manages to make business presentations fun and humorous, while staying professional and relatable."
— Xtine Nguyen (Former co-worker @ Blue Shield of California)
Toolbox
There is a myriad of design tools out there for designers alike to create the best product possible. The tools I use for my design flow work for me currently, but that shouldn’t go without saying that I am open to using alternative software that best serves the client’s needs.
