Senior UX Researcher
Hey there, I’m Craig
Traveler | Ambivert | Researcher
Senior researcher at Stripe, spearheading payment hardware development for Stripe Terminal, with over 10 years of experience in fintech and a record of delivering innovative solutions that enhance digital and physical experiences.
Personal Statement
Always Hungry For More
The minute you stop learning is the minute you give up on the future.
I'm currently a Senior UX Researcher at Stripe, leading the Stripe Apps team towards foundational insights every day.
I've taken an unconventional route to becoming a user researcher. I always want to learn more about research and human computer interaction and the ways to hack it. As a committed life long learner I'm always experimenting. My work helps build the next generation of finance, and hey, that's pretty cool.
About Me
My Background
I hated my job. I wanted a reset from the boring banks and consulting suits and found my way to Venmo.
As the founder of the user research program at Venmo, I helped various teams across the company prioritize user needs around the clock. I collaborated with designers, PMs, PMMs, and engineers on feature discoverability and usability, contributed to foundational concept development, and addressed their key questions to create the best possible version of Venmo.
Now, I'm focused on Stripe Terminal, exploring the intersection of industrial design, payment hardware, and quirky human habits.
Projects
Explore My Projects
Investing With Venmo
A proof of concept that demonstrates how Venmo customers might one day invest, manage, and transfer funds to build wealth.
Research Case Study: Tesla Teleportation
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to research the first teleportation concept? How would humans react to such a mode of transportation? Well, I gamed out an idea for your enjoyment!
Predictive Modeling Retro: The 2016 Presidential Election
An exploration with regressions, hard data, and Tableau visuals. My goal was to see how accurate I could recap and examine the outcomes of the 2016 Presidential Election.
General Assembly Final Project: Fantime
My final project created for the General Assembly User Experience Research & Design capstone in Autumn 2016.
Pay With Venmo Concept Debrief
A sample debrief of my findings that explored a concept for Pay with Venmo in July 2019.
Venmo Business Profile
This proof of concept was developed during the Venmo Hackweek 2018. This prototype demonstrates how Venmo might digitize the word of mouth experience to small businesses seeking to expand their presence and increase revenue.
My Journey
Work Experience
Senior User Researcher, Stripe
January 2021 - Present
Currently leading the Stripe Apps, Risk, Credit, and Onboarding teams to solve their generative and evaluative research needs. Successfully explored and helped launched Stripe Marketplace (marketplace.stripe.com) in June 2022 and working to reduce risk losses, saving Stripe millions in fraud every year.
User Researcher, Venmo
October 2016 - January 2021
You name it and chances are I've probably been the sole person at Venmo to do it. As the founder of the research program I built every piece from scratch. In my time I ha experienced it all. Whether that's been coordinating users, run and manage testing, and create findings' reports across multiple teams. I'm an advocate of always learning more, I'm adding a quantitative skill set to match my qualitative side. Throw in some self-taught Javascript, and boom, you have me! It's an interesting journey but that means new challenges and opportunities along the way!
Assc. Uxr / Research Ops Lead, Venmo
January 2016 - October 2016
Working with our database, I quickly learned SQL to pull the right user set and run analytics for research sessions. Using the right set of cohorts, I helped recruit, manage, and track all user testing conducted by Venmo in North America
Finance Operations, Venmo
January 2015 - December 2015
Using my project management skills, I was brought on board to sort and bring order to Venmo's internal budgets. Helping to establish controls and insight into where our money was spent. Good thing I had that sorted when user research came calling. Sure I had to wear a lot of hats, but I quickly took to it becoming an invaluable part of the team.
Project Manager, Deutsche Bank
November 2014 - January 2015
My first foray into the consultant world proved it wasn't for me. Sure there was working for the big banks, but the business suits got too stuffy and stiffled my creativity. I used this opportunity to pick up the skills necessary to become a part of something I cared about and made the switch to Venmo.
Skills
Explore My Skills
Data Analytics
Working with the Venmo data team, I've been brushing up on the latest tools such as Amplitude and Looker to have data lead the story of user research. It's then my job to go an fill in the chapters with UX.
iOS Development
Though it's been a while, I spent many long nights learning Apple's Swift language in an effort to build a new skill set and learn how to help my colleagues in the challenges of redesigning Venmo.
User Research Design
As a part of the design team at Venmo, I work across the organization on initiatives and products that touch every facet of the company. That does not mean I'm done learning. I'm constantly reading up on design interaction and UI best practice to ensure I can speak the same language as my team.
What I’ve Learned
Educational Experience
User Experience Research + Design General Assembly
Sept 2016 - October 2016
A crash course in how to to update skills in the real world. I focused on design interaction and how to create a better user experience. Wire frames, prototype explorations, iterative testing, all combined into one invaluable course.
Bachelor of Arts International Relations Boston University
2007 - 2011
International relations was my first true love. We keep in touch on a daily basis thanks to Twitter.
Contact
Let's Talk With Craig Strauss
Senior researcher at Stripe, spearheading payment hardware development for Stripe Terminal, with over 10 years of experience.
+1 914 275 8575
Denver, CO USA
