Zoom-Based Gesture User Interface
→
Summary
Invented and patented a Zoom-Based Gesture User Interface, originally developed with Primesense, later acquired by Apple, contributing to advanced human-computer interaction.
Marcus Hauer
Global Executive Product & Design Leader
Berlin, DE.About
A visionary Global Executive Product & Design Leader with 25 years of experience, Marcus Hauer excels at building high-craft teams and driving large-scale organizational change to deliver transformative consumer products used by millions. Currently leading Babbel's design organization, he shapes experiences for over 3M learners and is a key member of the leadership team, accountable for strategic priorities including AI-powered tools and end-to-end learning. His expertise spans global product strategy, digital transformation, and successful venture creation, making him a proven leader in combining strategic vision with impeccable craft at scale.
Work
Babbel
|Director of Design & Research
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
→
Summary
Leads a design organization of up to 50 professionals across Product Design, User Research, Content Design, Design Operations, and Design Systems, acting as a key driver for product and brand strategy, discovery, and delivery processes.
Highlights
Redesigned Babbel's information architecture, significantly improving content findability and usability; boosted QXscore to 91, increased CSAT from 65 to 80, and grew daily active users by 20%.
Directed Babbel's global rebrand rollout, unifying product and marketing across millions of learners; enhanced brand recognition by 10% and learner engagement by 8%.
Established Babbel's inaugural design system, streamlining design-to-development workflows and ensuring cross-platform consistency; achieved a 53% reduction in frontend development hours.
Shaped all experiences for over 3M+ learners worldwide, encompassing core product, teacher-led learning, design systems, and user research.
Contributed to Babbel's leadership team, reporting to the CEO/CPO, and accountable for top strategic priorities including product vision, AI-powered conversational tools, and seamless end-to-end learning.
Plain Wine
|Founder
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
→
Summary
Founded and successfully scaled a direct-to-consumer wine subscription service, overseeing all aspects from product curation to distribution across Europe.
Highlights
Built and nurtured supplier relationships with winemakers across multiple regions, establishing a robust direct import and distribution network.
Delivered curated selections and informational booklets to a growing subscriber base across Europe, enhancing customer engagement and brand loyalty.
Successfully sold the business to Offgrid Wine, ensuring its continued operation and market presence.
Independent Consultant
|Design Director
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
→
Summary
Provided end-to-end design and product strategy consulting to corporations and startups across diverse industries, including fintech, publishing, and research.
Highlights
Delivered comprehensive engagements encompassing discovery research, design sprints, prototyping, and strategic product roadmapping for various clients.
Managed client relationships and project delivery for major European clients including VISA, Wirecard, Blinkist, and Fraunhofer.
Guided organizations through critical phases of product development, ensuring alignment between strategic vision and market execution.
Multiply
|Co-Founder, Product and Design
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
→
Summary
Led product and design from conception to execution, developing a complete brand identity, initial prototypes, and investor pitch decks for a new venture.
Highlights
Conducted comprehensive market analysis to inform product development and strategic positioning.
Developed the first pilot product, 'Triangle,' a service designed to optimize personal time management.
Created compelling pitch decks and investor materials, securing initial funding and stakeholder buy-in.
IDEO
|Portfolio Director
San Francisco, CA, US
→
Summary
Directed multi-million dollar, year-long global programs for major clients like Amazon, Nike, Microsoft, and Cisco, facilitating their expansion into digital product ecosystems and contributing to IDEO's transformation into a digital-first consultancy.
Highlights
Partnered with Amazon's C-Suite to envision the future of online shopping for younger audiences, shaping a refreshed product roadmap and long-term strategy.
Co-created internal ventures within Fortune 500s to accelerate innovation practices, building software-focused teams to serve Silicon Valley's largest tech clients.
Collaborated with entrepreneur Lars Hinrichs to launch HackFwd, a European seed fund and incubator, designing the operating model, founder support program, and venture brand.
Co-created a digital bank with Swiss Life, defining the brand, product vision, and experience strategy for a standalone venture focused on personal financial goals.
Volunteer
Mentorship & Advisory Roles
|Mentor
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
→
Summary
Provided strategic guidance and mentorship to startups and organizations, fostering innovation and talent development within the German tech ecosystem.
Highlights
Mentored at prominent institutions including German DigitalService, Fraunhofer, Telekom Hubraum, and HackFwd, supporting emerging talent and ventures.
Shared insights on people-centric product development and the evolving role of design in the age of AI as a conference speaker and educator.
Education
University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America
→
PhD
Media Art and Technology
Academy of Media Arts
Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
→
Diploma
Audiovisual Media & Design
Skills
Product & Design Leadership
Product Design, User Research, Content Design, Design Operations, Design Systems, Product Strategy, Brand Strategy, Product Discovery, Design Thinking, Agile Methodologies, Team Leadership (up to 50), Mentorship, Organizational Change Management.
Strategic & Business Acumen
Digital Transformation, Innovation Strategy, Business Development, Market Analysis, Venture Incubation, Go-to-Market Strategy, Financial Planning, Stakeholder Management, C-Suite Collaboration, P&L Responsibility.
Technical & UX Expertise
Information Architecture, Usability Testing, Prototyping, UI/UX Design, Cross-Platform Development, Frontend Development Optimization, AI-Powered Tools, Conversational AI, Content Management Systems, Gesture User Interfaces.
Project & Program Management
Global Program Management, End-to-End Project Delivery, Design Sprints, Roadmap Development, Client Management, Vendor Management, Direct Import & Distribution.
Communication & Education
Conference Speaking, Startup Mentoring, Educational Program Development, Pitch Deck Creation, Brand Communication.
Projects
Method And Apparatus For Providing Uniform Content Management
→
Summary
Invented and patented a Method and Apparatus for Providing Uniform Content Management, originally developed with Nokia, later acquired by Microsoft, enhancing digital content organization.