USAA - Internal Communications & Design
Designing internal tools, branding, and communications to help a $100M tech org stay connected and aligned.
When I joined USAA’s technology division, they were juggling tons of complex projects — but didn’t have a clear or cohesive system for sharing updates, onboarding new team members, or aligning internal communications. My job was to help fix that: make communication smoother, more consistent, and way more user-friendly.
Designing the Internal Project Portal
Toolset: HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Adobe Suite, Figma
One of my biggest projects was designing and launching a centralized portal for the department. I interviewed team members to find out what they actually needed, mapped out the user flow, designed it in Figma, and then built the final version using HTML and CSS.
What I did:
Created the strategy behind what pages would be needed and the easiest way to find them
Built the go-to hub for onboarding, project documentation, and weekly updates
Streamlined communications and limited confusion across our department and out to other departments across the company
Creating a Visual Identity for the Team
Toolset: Adobe Illustrator
Before I arrived, there wasn’t much of a visual identity in place. Everyone had their own templates, colors, and styles — which made things feel scattered. I created a clean, consistent brand kit that included:
A department logo
Custom color palette and typography
Presentation and document templates
A quick-start brand guide for internal use
The goal wasn’t to be flashy — it was to give the team a sense of unity and professionalism. It worked.
Executive Presentations & Visual Storytelling
Toolset: Powerpoint, Excel, Adobe Creative Suite
I worked directly with senior leaders to help translate their vision into clean, clear executive decks for quarterly updates, project launches, and all-hands meetings.
What I did:
Designed custom slide layouts
Turned complex data into visuals that made sense
Helped create narrative flow so the message landed clearly
Newsletters & Internal Messaging
Beyond the big launches and decks, I also supported day-to-day communication: newsletters, internal emails, and micro-sites that kept everyone informed.
I focused on keeping things engaging and easy to read. This also gave me my first experience with email marketing builders and distilling information in a way that keeps people interested.
What I Loved About This Work
This was the kind of behind-the-scenes design work that often goes unnoticed — but makes a huge difference in how teams feel and function. I loved being the bridge between tech, leadership, and communication — and bringing a little creativity into a world that really needed it.