Stefan Winopal

(he/him)

@wnpl.de

Design, Branding & UX professional / Trained Journalist

Creative Director at beebuzz media GmbH

Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany🇩🇪

stefanwinopal.com

Open to:Mentoring others

Preferred workplace:On-siteHybrid

Report

Began designing websites as a teenager, turned passion into a career as a media designer
Worked in web development, shifted to editorial (inside handy, now inside digital), and returned full-circle to design
Shaped visual identities, led inside handy’s rebrand to inside digital, and took strategic roles (Project Lead, Head of Design & Brand)
As Creative Director: Blend UX, brand storytelling, and collaboration for impactful designs
Mentor juniors and believe in design for inclusivity

Activity

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Career: 11

Creative Director

beebuzz media GmbH

Full-time · Brühl, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Hybrid

May 2026 - Present

As Creative Director, I define the visual and conceptual direction of all design projects, create and refine brand identities, and ensure consistency and innovation across all outputs. Though no longer managing a team, I remain the chief designer and additionally train junior designers to uphold our creative standards.

FigmaGraphic DesignUser ExperienceUser Interface DesignAdobe Creative SuiteBrandingLogo DesignDesign SystemsTraining & Development

Head of Design & Brand

beebuzz media GmbH

Full-time · Hybrid

Aug 2023 - Apr 2026

Led the design team as Head of Design & Brand, overseeing all visual output and brand identity projects. As the chief designer and trainer, I ensured creative excellence while guiding and developing the skills of junior team members.

Graphic DesignDesign SystemsBrandingLogo DesignUX DesignUser Interface DesignUser ExperienceAdobe Creative SuiteFigmaProject ManagementLeadershipTraining & Development

Project Lead & Design

beebuzz media GmbH

Full-time · Brühl, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Hybrid

May 2021 - Jul 2023

Reported directly to the CEO as a staff position, leading key design initiatives and ensuring alignment with business goals. As the chief designer, I was responsible for the visual and strategic direction of projects, including the evolution of inside digital, and trained junior colleagues. My role involved coordinating cross-functional teams, managing timelines, and driving projects from concept to completion.

Project ManagementGraphic DesignFigmaAdobe Creative SuiteUX DesignDesign SystemsAgile MethodologiesScrumKanbanCMSWeb Analytics

Senior Marketing Manager Art & Brand

beebuzz media GmbH

Full-time · Hybrid

Jun 2019 - Apr 2021

Despite being part of the sales/marketing team, my work was 100% design-driven. I led the 2019 rebranding campaign, transforming inside handy into inside digital, and developed visual concepts that strengthened the brand’s identity. As the chief designer, I collaborated closely with other departments to ensure cohesive and impactful design solutions.

BrandingLogo DesignGraphic DesignUser ExperienceAdobe Creative SuiteProject ManagementDesign Systems

Editor

beebuzz media GmbH

Full-time · Brühl, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · On-site

Mar 2016 - May 2019

Wrote news articles and in-depth smartphone reviews, managed social media channels, and covered trade shows and manufacturer events. Spearheaded the 2018 relaunch of inside handy (now inside digital), designing the new visual identity and user experience – a project that later inspired my return to design-focused roles.

WritingUX DesignBloggingCMSWordPressHTMLSocial MediaWeb AnalyticsFigmaSEOProject ManagementGoogle AnalyticsCopywritingGraphic DesignAdobe Creative Suite

Student Editor

beebuzz media GmbH

Part-time · Brühl, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · On-site

Oct 2015 - Feb 2016

Contributed to daily editorial work by writing news and test reports, while occasionally supporting the team with small design tasks thanks to my background in media design.

CMSWordPressResearchWritingSocial MediaBloggingWeb AnalyticsCopywritingGraphic DesignAdobe Creative Suite

Editorial Intern

beebuzz media GmbH

Internship · Brühl, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · On-site

Apr 2015 - Sep 2015

As part of my practical semester, I authored news pieces and test reports, and took on a special project: redesigning the inside handy app to improve usability and modernize its interface.

CMSWritingHTMLCSSBloggingResearchUX DesignGraphic DesignAdobe Creative Suite

Web Designer/Developer

ABSOLUTWEB

Full-time

Aug 2012 - Mar 2013

Developed and designed websites for retail clients using HTML, CSS, custom PHP-based CMS, and Photoshop. Managed client relationships and provided ongoing support for their digital presence.

Web DevelopmentHTMLCSSPHPFront-endMicrosoft OfficeCMSProject ManagementCustomer SuccessGraphic DesignUser Interface DesignAdobe Creative Suite

Web Developer

Wunderman

Full-time

Oct 2010 - Jul 2012

Implemented frontend and backend solutions, social apps, and newsletters based on design specifications. Worked closely with designers to bring creative concepts to life in a fast-paced agency environment.

HTMLCSSJavaScriptFront-endWeb DevelopmentSocial Media Marketing

Web Designer/Developer

colognetworx cnx gmbh

Full-time · On-site

Jul 2008 - Oct 2010

Created rich web solutions for clients with a focus on frontend work and client consulting. Ensured digital projects met both aesthetic and functional goals.

HTMLCSSPHPFront-endWeb DevelopmentCMSProject ManagementCustomer SuccessGraphic DesignUser Interface DesignUX DesignAdobe Creative Suite

Apprentice in Media Design (Digital/Print)

colognetworx cnx gmbh

Apprenticeship

Sep 2005 - Jul 2008

Completed a dual apprenticeship specializing in Medienoperating (media operations), with a focus on digital workflows: planning, creating, and maintaining media products like websites and CMS. Gained hands-on experience in cross-media projects, from conceptual design to technical implementation.

Adobe Creative SuiteHTMLCSSPHPMicrosoft OfficeCMSProject ManagementGraphic DesignUser Interface DesignUX DesignInformation Architecture

Education: 2

Industrie- und Handelskammer zu Köln

Projektmanager (IHK)

May 2021 - Jul 2021

Agile Organisation (VUCA, Werte, Prinzipien) Agiles Projektmanagement (Scrum, Kanban, Lean) Scrum (Scrum-Guide 2020, Theorie & Werte, Rollen, Framework) Hybrides Projektmanagement Agile Vertragsgestaltung Scaled Agile Framework (LeSS, Nexus, SAFe 4.0)

TH Köln

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Digital Journalism and Media (Online-Redaktion)

Jan 2013 - Jan 2016

Core studies covered media systems, web science, and communication theories alongside ethical and legal aspects like copyright and online law. Technical training included web design, HTML, CMS, multimedia storytelling with video and audio, and usability principles. Journalistic practice focused on research techniques, editorial workflows, and content creation for digital platforms, with hands-on projects in online newsrooms. Specializations like economics, medicine, culture, or sports allowed for ressort-specific expertise. Practical modules included internships, web projects, and a bachelor thesis to apply theoretical and technical knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Activities / Societies: Prüfungsausschuss, Fachschaftsrat (Fachschaft Informationswissenschaft)