Phelan Bowie
Senior product designer who turns complex systems into clear, accessible experiences.
Based in Colorado and comfortable working across U.S. time zones.
Hi, I’m Phelan (pronounced fay-lin)
I’m a storyteller, iced coffee aficionado, and Senior Product Designer who uses research, strategy, and collaboration to turn complex problems into clear, accessible digital experiences.
A palm reader in Myanmar once told me I would be successful in the creative world if I was willing to put in the work. He also predicted that I would become a “song star,” advised me to eat two eggs every day, and insisted that I should go to bed at 7:00 p.m.
There may have been a language barrier, but I like to think I owe a small part of my career to that palm reader. The rest has come from continually learning, refining my craft, collaborating closely with every discipline on a team, and staying focused on the people at the center of the experience—whoever they may be.
What guides my work
Start with the people using it
I ground design decisions in research, from 20 interviews with members approaching Medicare to testing with policyholders, prospective customers, and brokers.
Design for everyone from the start
I build accessibility into requirements and design systems from the beginning, so it shapes the work instead of being checked at the end.
Make trade-offs visible
I work closely with product, engineering, and business partners to make constraints clear, so we can ship a focused first version and plan what comes next.
Leave the work in good hands
I document intent, states, and edge cases so designs hold up through development, and I mentor designers and lead workshops so teams keep building on the work.