Leadership

Design with vision. Lead with purpose.

I believe great products are built where design, data, and strategy meet. My focus is on empowering teams, scaling systems, and aligning user experience with measurable business outcomes.

2 → 12+
Design org scaled at MNTN across a multi-product platform
20+
People led across design, engineering, and QA at Newsday
23%
Shorter iteration cycles through stronger cross-functional collaboration
3
Design systems built over my career
How I lead

Four commitments.

Build the team

I build and mentor high-performing design teams and develop future leaders across product areas, in a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and continuous improvement.

Build the systems

I scale design systems and workflows so multi-product ecosystems can iterate quickly and stay consistent.

Lead with evidence

I run a data-driven design culture, using UX analytics and experimentation to inform roadmap decisions and tie design to outcomes.

Partner at the top

I work with executive leaders in Product, Engineering, and GTM so design helps define product strategy and aligns with business and revenue goals.

My process

Passionate leader, developer, and user advocate.

I’m a passionate design leader, developer, user advocate with a natural knack for UX strategy, UI design and creating intuitive interactive tools for humans. I sincerely love what I do.

Leadership-driven design

As a design leader with over 20 years of experience, I prioritize creating intuitive, user-centered experiences by fostering collaboration and aligning teams towards a shared vision. My approach integrates Agile methodologies and Design Thinking to ensure efficient, impactful outcomes.

Life is too short to create something no one wants or needs…

Strategic collaboration

I believe in involving all stakeholders from the project’s inception. This inclusive approach enables streamlined reviews and approvals, ensuring that every team member is aligned and invested in the product’s success. By facilitating open communication and shared understanding, I guide teams through complex challenges towards innovative solutions.

Read more about my workflow →
Empowering teams through mentorship

While I lead from the front, I also recognize the importance of empowering my team members. I provide mentorship and support, helping designers overcome obstacles and grow in their roles. Whether it’s through one-on-one coaching or collaborative problem-solving sessions, I strive to cultivate an environment where creativity and professional development thrive.

I’m a big fan of proof of concept.

Rapid prototyping and real-time feedback

In fast-paced environments, quick iteration is crucial. I’m no stranger to the craft. My vast experience leveraging tools like Figma encourages my teams, by example, to rapidly prototype ideas, allowing stakeholders to visualize concepts in real time. Having experience in code and product engineering empowers my decisions to be elegant, clear and efficient. This approach not only accelerates decision-making but also fosters a sense of ownership and engagement among team members and stakeholders alike.

Continuous learning and adaptation

The design landscape is ever-evolving, and so am I. I stay current with industry trends through continuous learning and encourage my team to do the same. By fostering a culture of adaptability and growth, I ensure that our designs remain relevant and impactful.

The designer manifesto

What I asked my team to stand for.

I wrote this manifesto with my team when I joined MNTN. At MNTN, we believe that design is the driving force behind creating exceptional products and experiences. As UX designers, we embrace the responsibility of shaping the future by challenging conventions, pushing boundaries, and striving for excellence. This manifesto outlines our core beliefs and principles, guiding us in our pursuit of innovative and impactful design.

Showing 25 of 25 statements. Themes are my own grouping of the original list.
Change & growth
I embrace and facilitate change.
Craft
I take pride in my craft.
Users & data
I use data to inform my design decisions.
Users & data
I am user-centric and prioritize the needs of the user above all else.
Collaboration
I communicate efficiently and often with my squad.
Collaboration
I am the go to person for UX within my squad.
Ownership
I insert myself into complex UX challenges and offer solutions.
Ownership
I focus on solutions rather than problems.
Ownership
I can take care of any challenge that’s thrown my way.
Change & growth
I’m able to pivot and adjust to product direction.
Collaboration
I never block the engineers on my squad.
Ownership
I come up with solutions quickly and efficiently.
Craft
I’m innovative with my UI solutions.
Ownership
I question inefficiencies and propose solutions.
Ownership
I know when to work within constraints.
Craft
I push the boundaries of the design.
Users & data
I approach problem-solving with a human-centered mindset.
Users & data
I empathize with our users.
Craft
I believe that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
Craft
My designs evoke emotion and leave a lasting impression.
Collaboration
I work with other designers in my chapter to maintain brand/platform aesthetic.
Users & data
I advocate for inclusive and accessible design.
Change & growth
I ensure my designs remain relevant and future-proof.
Change & growth
I am constantly evolving and adapt emerging technologies.
Craft
I use creativity to solve problems.
Let's talk about building design teams.

I'm always up for a conversation about design leadership, culture, and strategy.

[email protected]
© Matthew Cassella · Northport, NY
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