FAQs
The Questions Behind the Conversations
The devil’s in the details, especially when it comes to the topics that are most likely top of mind.
It’s always an honor to have work recognized by the creative industry’s leading voices. Whether for global brands or breakthrough moments, these awards reflect what’s possible when teams rally around a clear idea, push boundaries, and execute with craft. While the trophies are never the goal, they’re a proud reminder of what purposeful creativity can achieve.
I’m drawn to roles where design leadership shapes not only the product, but also the culture, the team, and the business itself. I have a passion for transforming complex products into elegant, simple, and lovable experiences. I’m focused on senior leadership opportunities (Director, VP, Head of Design) where I can drive meaningful impact at scale and help define the next chapter of a company’s growth.
Range—with depth. I move seamlessly between craft and strategy, systems and storytelling. I’m equally invested in uncovering real customer problems and elevating the execution to exceptional standards. That balance of deep thinking and high design sensitivity is core to how I lead. I also bring operational clarity—defining structure, process, and purpose, so teams can move with confidence, focus on what matters, and deliver at scale. It allows me to drive work that’s not only beautifully made, but grounded in real, meaningful insights.
I’ve led teams from 5 to 60+, across product design, visual design, research, writing, and strategy. This includes managing managers and ICs across multiple workstreams and regions. I’ve built both centralized and embedded team models, tailoring leadership based on team needs. I stay close to the work where it counts, while empowering others to lead. Just as importantly, I prioritize growth—investing in both project excellence and long-term career development.
I calibrate based on the needs of the team and the phase of the work. With experience, I know when to dive in and when to step back—my focus is always on enabling the best possible outcome. I create the conditions for great work to happen, and step in strategically to keep momentum high.
My agency background taught me how to move fast, adapt quickly, and deliver high-quality work under pressure. At Apple, I’ve learned how to navigate complex organizations, align cross-functional teams, and drive meaningful change at scale. I’m comfortable shaping vision in the grey areas—bringing clarity to ambiguity, focus to complexity, and momentum to moments that require it most.
Collaboration is one of my core strengths. I bring people together through facilitation, workshops, and strategic storytelling—whether it's aligning on operations and ways of working or presenting a vision to the C-suite. I see collaboration not as a step in the process, but as a creative force that drives momentum and sharpens the work.
I believe the best design decisions are grounded in a deep understanding of the customer. I regularly partner with analytics, research, and marketing teams to translate both qualitative and quantitative insights into actionable direction. Whether shaping strategy, informing creative, or refining execution, I use data to uncover opportunities, validate decisions, and stay closely aligned with real user needs.
Without compromise. My multidisciplinary career has equipped me to keep craft at the core of everything I lead. I don’t separate detail from strategy; the execution is the strategy. Whether shaping systems, interfaces, or narratives, I expect precision. The details aren’t decorative—they’re what turn strategic intent into real, resonant experiences.
It starts with clear structure, defined processes, and upfront alignment around expectations. I lead by example, establish consistent and collaborative critique rhythms, and stay tightly partnered with design, engineering, and production to ensure creative intent is preserved all the way through execution.
I’m drawn to transformation—taking complex, disjointed products and redesigning them into intuitive experiences people love. That includes 0–1 challenges, where I help shape entirely new products from the ground up. I’m equally focused on improving the process: aligning teams, clarifying roles, and building repeatable structures that lead to better outcomes, for both the customer and the business.
Yes. I’m currently based in San Francisco but open to relocating to the EU or UK for the right role, with Amsterdam and London as top considerations. I’m also open to remote-first environments, as I believe the right structure, clarity, and culture can enable teams to thrive regardless of location.
Brad Donnelley
Design Leadership
Brad Donnelley