Michael Carrick

Leader in user-centric design and technology

Michael Carrick is the CEO and Co-founder of XDS (Experience Design Systems Inc.), a Toronto-based company that specializes in building and consulting on design systems.1 2 With over two decades of experience in designing and developing digital experiences, Carrick has worked with industry leaders in various sectors including Financial, Government, Retail, Insurance, and Artificial Intelligence.1

Professional Background

Carrick's expertise lies in creating impactful, reusable, and technology-driven tools that help designers and developers deliver experiences at the intersection of people, business, and technology needs.1 Throughout his career, he has led teams of talented UX designers, researchers, and visual designers, focusing on creating beautifully connected experiences for their partners.1

Role at XDS

As the Chief Experience Officer at XDS, Carrick's primary focus is on helping companies build and implement design systems more efficiently.2 The goal is to enable designers and developers to engage in higher-value work by streamlining the process of creating consistent design elements.2

Expertise and Contributions

Carrick is known for his insights on the importance of design systems, particularly for scaling businesses. He emphasizes that implementing design systems early can save companies significant time and resources in the long run.2 His approach involves:

Helping companies build design systems faster
Offering both platform solutions and consultation services
Enabling design teams to evolve from "pixel pushers" to strategic partners

Speaking Engagements

Michael Carrick is also a speaker at various UX and design conferences. Some of his recent presentations include:

"Design System Fundamentals: Building Blocks for Effective Design" at UX Camp Winter 2024
"Design Systems 101: Essentials for All Designers" at UX Camp Fall 20231

Through these presentations, Carrick shares his knowledge on design system components, best practices, and the benefits of implementing them in organizations of various sizes.