Carlos Del CarmenUX · AI · Automation
Hi, I'm Carlos Open to new projects

Let's turn busywork into smart workflows

Practical AI and automation for teams and creators. Designed around people, built in tools you already use, and taught so it sticks.

Let's talk about your workflow See how it works
Example task

New client inquiry

⏳ By hand0 min

✨ With an AI workflow0 min

The repetitive steps run on their own. You still make the decisions.

💼 Business Development Manager, SaaS🎓 M.S. Instructional Design📍 Central Coast, CA · remote & on site

01Services

Less busywork. More of the work that matters.

Three ways I help teams get real value from AI and automation. Hover or tap to explore each one.

01

Automate workflows

01

Automate workflows

Let routine work run on its own.

Approvals, reminders, data entry and weekly reports that happen automatically, built in the Microsoft 365 tools your team already uses.

  • Power Automate flows
  • Approvals in Teams
  • Forms, SharePoint & Excel
  • Scheduled reports
Example projectA request form that routes approvals to the right manager in Teams and logs every decision.
02Approach

People first, then the tools.

The same human-centered process used in UX design, applied to AI and automation.

  1. 01

    Understand

    Learn how your team really works before changing anything.

    You get · A clear map of your workflows and pain points
  2. 02

    Research

    Talk with the people doing the work and challenge assumptions.

    You get · A shortlist of tasks worth automating
  3. 03

    Analyze

    Find the repetitive, rule-based work where AI actually helps.

    You get · Priorities ranked by time saved and risk
  4. 04

    Design

    Prototype the workflow, often with tools you already own.

    You get · A working prototype you can try
  5. 05

    Launch

    Pilot with a small group, refine, and train the team.

    You get · A rolled-out solution with simple guides
  6. 06

    Monitor

    Measure results, gather feedback, and keep improving.

    You get · Results you can measure, and what's next
03Toolkit

The tools behind the work.

Automation, AI assistants, design and teaching tools, in one toolkit. Drag the sphere, then click any tool to learn more.

Daily driversIn the toolkit
Browse the AI tools directory →
Power AutomateCopilotTeamsSharePointExcelOutlookChatGPTClaudePerplexityZapierNotion AIOtter.aiCanvaFigmaAdobe FireflyDescriptUX researchPrototypingWorkshopsTraining guides
04My path

Many hats. One goal: work that feels simple.

Every step of my career added something you get when we work together.

  1. 2014 – 2020

    Retail & district management

    Designed Inc.

    Running stores and leading teams taught me how real operations work, and that tools only succeed when people buy in.

  2. 2020 – 2024

    UX & product design

    Intrend Design Studio · Otter Student Union

    Design thinking became my default: understand people first, then make complex things feel simple.

  3. 2022 – 2024

    Teaching & instructional design

    CSU Monterey Bay · M.S. Instructional Design

    Teaching design showed me that the best solution is the one people can actually learn and use.

  4. 2024 – now

    SaaS & business development

    Central Coast Energy Services

    Working at the intersection of software, operations and customers, and where automation started saving real hours.

  5. Today

    Practical AI & automation

    Power Automate · Copilot · AI adoption

    Bringing it all together: workflows that run themselves, designed for people and taught so they stick.

05Kind words

What people say.

From colleagues and clients across design, marketing and management.

“I have been working with Carlos on different projects and have experienced him as a talented, flexible, creative designer. I appreciated his ability to transform complex structures into beautiful designs with amazing results.”
KAKarina AlvarezMarketing, Otter Student Union
“Carlos works with great passion and ownership. He tackles complex problems with design thinking approaches that add greater value to the product. A great leader, and I would love to work with him again!”
ISIvan SarabiaOwner, Designed Inc.
“Carlos is a great thinker and product manager. His enthusiasm to keep learning made him a true asset to any UX team, and his experience in marketing made our team more knowledgeable.”
MPMarco PeñaUX Designer, Intrend Studio
06Resources

Learn, then try it yourself.

Guides on AI and automation, plus hand-picked tools to get started.

Featured article · 6 min read

A human-centered approach to AI implementation

The six-step process for bringing AI into a business without the hype.

Read the article →
Tutorial

Getting started with Power Automate

Your first flow, step by step.

 Ideas

5 workflows every small team should automate

Simple wins that save hours each week.

 New · Template

Writing an AI policy your team will actually read

A one-page template with simple guardrails.

hover me ↗
07FAQ

Questions, answered.

Straight answers about AI, automation and working together.

Still have a question?

Replies usually within a day.

Email me
What does “AI implementation” actually mean for my business?

Finding the everyday tasks where AI can save time, like sorting requests, drafting replies, summarizing meetings or building reports, and then setting up the right tools so your team can use them safely and confidently. Practical, not futuristic.

Do I need to buy new software?

Usually not. Many teams already pay for tools with AI and automation built in, like Microsoft 365, Copilot and Power Automate. We start with what you have and only add something new when it clearly earns its place.

What kinds of tasks can be automated?

Repetitive, rule-based work is the best fit: approvals, reminders, data entry, form processing, file organization, notifications and recurring reports. Work that needs judgment or a personal touch stays with people.

Is AI safe to use with our data?

It can be, with the right setup. Together we choose tools with appropriate privacy settings, write simple usage guidelines, and decide what information should never go into an AI tool. Safety is part of the plan from day one.

How long does a typical project take?

A single workflow can often be prototyped in days and rolled out within a few weeks. Larger AI rollouts with training take longer. After a short discovery conversation, you'll get a clear timeline.

Will my team need technical skills?

No. Training is built in, with clear step-by-step guides and hands-on sessions so people feel comfortable with the new tools.

Do you work with nonprofits and small teams?

Yes. Small teams and nonprofits often benefit the most, because a few well-chosen automations can free up hours every week. Remote and on site on California's Central Coast.

How do we get started?

Send an email with a quick note about your team and the task that frustrates everyone most. We'll set up a short conversation to see where AI and automation can help.

Let's work together

Let's build your first workflow.

I'd love to hear what's slowing your team down. — Carlos

Tell me about the task that slows your team down most. We'll find out together if AI and automation can take it off your plate.

Start the conversation LinkedIn