James Acklin
b. 1987
GMT-4
[email protected]
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
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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 decentralized, mobile-first experience akin to Slack or Notion.
- Guides cross-functional execution between kernel, client, and infrastructure teams.
- Leads release planning, user research, and roadmap prioritization.
- 2021–2024
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Tlon Landscape · Design & Product
Launchpad and framework enabling developers to build and distribute software without app stores or centralized servers.
- 2021–2022
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Tlon Bridge · Product Direction
User-facing management interface for on-chain public-key infrastructure; coordinated rollout of the first Ethereum L2.
- 2020–2021
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Bloomfield Robotics · Product Design
Dashboards for agricultural producers to examine crop health and estimate yield with plant-level imaging and ML processing.
- 2019–2021
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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
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PointLogic · Product Design
Decision support software enabling $100M+ marketing campaigns.
- 2013–2019
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Rhiza · Design & Engineering
Geospatial data visualization for media and academic researchers; organization acquired by Nielsen in 2017.
- 2011–2013
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Smith Brothers Agency · Engineering
Developed web properties for multinational CPG brands.
- 2009–2011
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Elisco Advertising · Graphic Design
Produced print campaigns for regional clients.