James Acklin

b. 1987
GMT-5
james@ackl.in

Profile

A software professional interested in distributed, self-hosted, and peer-to-peer systems. Specializes in data visualization and research tooling.

Currently leading product for a p2p messenger you meaningfully own. Have held design director and engineering IC roles with experience managing people and process.

Experience

2021–Present
Tlon Messenger · Product Lead

A private, user-owned, and incentive-free communications suite for a more personal and humane internet.

  • Directs product vision and design on a small team, delivering a mobile-first experience rivaling centralized competitors.
  • Guides cross-functional execution between kernel, client, and infrastructure teams.
  • Leads release planning, user research, and roadmap prioritization.
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
2021–2024
Tlon Landscape · Design & Product

Launchpad and framework enabling developers to build and distribute software without app stores or centralized servers.

2021–2022
Tlon Bridge · Product Direction

User-facing management interface for on-chain public-key infrastructure; coordinated rollout of the first Ethereum L2.

2019–2021
Nielsen · Design Systems Lead

Built a WCAG-AAA design system and pattern library empowering 20+ designers to deliver unified experiences across 18 verticals.

2019–2021
PointLogic · Product Design

Decision support software enabling $100M+ marketing campaigns.

2013–2019
Rhiza · Design & Engineering

Geospatial data visualization for media and academic researchers; organization acquired by Nielsen in 2017.

2011–2013
Smith Brothers Agency · Engineering

Developed web properties for multinational CPG brands.

2009–2011
Elisco Advertising · Graphic Design

Produced print campaigns for regional clients.

Projects

2026–Present
Alex ebook reader · Side Project

Self-hosted PDF and EPUB library; drop files in a folder and browse, read, and track progress from any browser on your own hardware.

2020–2021
Bloomfield Robotics · deck.gl

Dashboards for agricultural producers to examine crop health and estimate yield with plant-level imaging and ML processing; conducted early market validation with trial-run clients.

2019–2024
Steady State Cycles · Visual Design

Branding and marketing support for a road cycling boutique.

2019–2020
Send · Editorial

Progressive web app for browsing and reading Dirt Rag Magazine; Vue.js and Nuxt frontend over a headless WordPress API.

2010–2019
Various · Design & Web Development

Too many websites to count.

2001–2006
Phirebrush · Co-founder

Open-submission online magazine for digital art, illustration, photography, music, and writing; grew to over 1 million unique visitors across 38 issues.