Courtney Portnoy

Hi, I'm Courtney!

I’m a Product Designer focused on leaving the digital world better than I found it.

Hi, my name is Courtney

I’m a Product Designer working to leave the digital world better than I found it.

I spend my days designing for Shopify’s Partner Platform, an application serving thousands of agency and developer partners around the world.

Shopify partner platform home page

Shopify partner dashboard home page and onboarding guide

This year I led multiple 0 to 1 projects, including the first ever partner dashboard home page and in-app onboarding guidance.

shopify referral insight cards

Referral insight cards displayed in Shopify partner dashboard

As part of the growth mission, I designed referral insight cards (including custom illustrations) to help partners find great product fit for their merchants (and get paid for their work).

Prior to Shopify, I helped start-up Recollect (acquired by Routeware) redesign their waste management mobile and web apps, used by citizens all over the world to keep track of their collection schedules and learn how to properly dispose of household items.

I've been in the tech industry since 2011. I spent 5 years as a front-end developer at Daily Burn, helping members get and stay fit with streaming online workouts. I cut my UX teeth in the agency world at Razorfish in NYC, working on major projects for Google/Motorola. I also led a small fit-tech startup from concept to launch. Prior to that I attended NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) where I designed and prototyped this virtual spin bike. Some might say it was the original Peloton.

A former dancer and lifelong fitness lover, I spent many years teaching yoga and fitness classes in Seattle, NYC, and Vancouver.

Design Approach

  • I’m flexible when it comes to process and deliverables, choosing the most effective means to communicate an idea in any given situation.

  • I don’t take myself too seriously.

  • My goal is to leave things better than I found them.

  • My super-power is driving alignment amongst cross-functional teams, and moving projects forward despite uncertain requirements.

  • I excel at asking lots of questions, advocating for users, and leading project teams.

  • I look for simplicity, and aim for innovation without reinventing wheels.

Outside Work

I’m a mom to 2 human and 2 fur babies, so I spend my off hours in nonstop (com)motion. CrossFit is my favourite me-time and I hit the gym or do some yoga (my favourite teacher is @marcoyoga) almost daily. I’ve recently taken up cold plunging and resumed playing the piano. On weekends you might find me and my family at the local berry farm, hitting the beach (summer), or hiking local trails.