Laura Trexler
Featured Projects
Building eBay Live from 0 to 1
These projects come from my work helping build eBay Live, an entirely new 0 to 1 selling format within a 30-year-old marketplace. Operating in a space with high technical ambiguity and limited precedent, I partnered closely with engineering, product, and sellers to define what “live commerce” should look like at eBay.
My work focused on rapid iteration, bootstrapped experimentation, and deep seller relationships, using real behavior and feedback to shape a product that scaled 8x YoY without losing trust.
Selected Work
Case Studies
Random Case Breaks
Led zero-to-one UX design of an integrated randomization case break experience, replacing fragmented third-party tools with a streamlined, transparent selling workflow.
- 0→1 Product
- End-to-End UX
- User Research
Quick Listing
Redesigned high-volume listing creation, reducing days of manual work to minutes through reusable templates and streamlined workflows.
- Workflow Optimization
- B2B Tools
- Usability Testing
Listing Intent Redesign
Led a foundational redesign simplifying how sellers manage inventory across eBay Marketplace and Live.
- Information Architecture
- Systems Thinking
- Cross-Platform
Flash Deals
Designed a new promotional experience enabling sellers to launch real-time discounts during livestreams, driving purchase urgency while eliminating manual workflows.
- Mobile Design
- Growth & Conversion
- Prototyping
About
Learn more about me
I'm a SCAD-trained UX designer and all-around creative who finds energy in building thoughtful digital products from the ground up. I started my career building CRM tools before joining eBay. At eBay, I helped grow eBay Live from scratch by taking the idea out of the incubation team and shaping an entirely new selling format within a 30-year-old company.
My design superpower is finding the sweet spot between fast timelines and scalable solutions to establish strong, flexible systems from day one. I thrive on teams with clear goals, cadences, and expectations, and I am comfortable navigating ambiguity to help define them when needed. I value close, collaborative relationships with cross-product partners and believe the best work comes from respectful, empathetic environments that care about both craft and people.
The AI conversation is interesting as a creative. When used incorrectly, it offloads thinking and the intangible human touch that makes experiences magical. And when we feel threatened by its misuse, fear can corrupt an otherwise helpful tool. So I like to use AI as an assistant to execute tasks that are burdensome to me. I love to prototype with v0 and automate documentation in order to move faster. Creative thinking is a muscle that, if we outsource, will die off. So while I use it to move faster, I will never substitute artificial intelligence for my earned intelligence. I'm sure my point of view will adapt as our culture advances with AI, but that's where I stand today.
Outside of work, I refuel through personal creative projects, from restoring old homes and camping in the Appalachians to sewing, baking, painting, and DIY, which keeps me curious, hands-on, and genuinely joyful in the pixel-pushing part of my job.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Are you currently looking for a new role?
Yes, I'm actively looking and open to conversations. If you have a role that might be a fit, I'd love to hear about it.
What kind of role are you looking for?
Mid to senior level product design positions where I can own problems end to end, from early discovery and research through high-fidelity design and launch.
Where are you based, and are you open to remote work?
I live in Tryon, NC and work remotely. I'm also open to hybrid arrangements for the right team, and I'm within driving distance of Spartanburg and Greenville, SC, as well as Hendersonville and Asheville, NC.
What industries or product types interest you most?
E-commerce and marketplaces, 0→1 and early-stage products, consumer mobile apps, and B2B or SaaS tools. My time at eBay sits at the intersection of several of these, and I enjoy shaping new products inside both startups and established companies.
What is your design process like?
I look for the sweet spot between fast timelines and scalable solutions, so the systems I build hold up as the product grows. I'm comfortable navigating ambiguity, and I work best with clear goals, cadences, and expectations, helping define them when they don't exist yet.
How do you collaborate with product managers and engineers?
I build close, collaborative relationships with cross-functional partners. The best work comes from respectful, empathetic teams that care about both craft and people, so I involve partners early and keep them close throughout the process.
How do you use AI in your work?
I use AI as an assistant for tasks that slow me down, like prototyping with v0 and automating documentation, so I can move faster. I keep creative thinking and design judgment in my own hands.
What do you do when you’re not designing?
I’m usually making something with my hands. I sew, I paint, and I’m slowly renovating our 100-year-old home, a former bed and breakfast that’s now our family home. It has a lot of character and a never-ending project list.
What’s a product you secretly admire?
Notion. It takes something really complex and makes it feel approachable, and it lets people shape the tool around how they think. That balance of flexibility and simplicity is something I aim for in my own work.
What’s a fun fact about you?
My first job was as a seamstress in a custom home interiors studio. Measuring twice, sweating the details, and making something that fits real people in real spaces turned out to be great training for product design.
What’s your go-to work ritual?
A long morning walk through the mountain town I live in, then a good playlist and a cup of coffee. By the time I sit down, I’m ready to get into flow.
How can I get in touch?
The best way to reach me is by email at Laurakellyford@gmail.com. You can also call me at 864-266-6224 or connect with me on LinkedIn.