Design Leadership

Leading teams and establishing design systems

Role: Design Lead / Product Designer Category: Leadership

Overview

A look at how Nikki has led cross-functional teams, built design systems, and shaped product strategy as a Product Designer and Developer.

Impact: Helped ship cohesive product experiences by establishing shared design standards and partnering closely with engineering.

Key Accomplishments

Leadership Approach

Building Shared Understanding

Effective design leadership starts with alignment. I work to create shared vocabulary and principles that help teams make consistent decisions without constant oversight.

Systems Thinking

Rather than solving problems one-off, I focus on building reusable patterns and components that scale across products. This means establishing design systems that work for both designers and engineers.

Collaboration & Mentorship

Great products come from great teams. I invest in mentoring designers, helping them grow their craft while maintaining high quality standards. I partner closely with engineering to ensure designs are both beautiful and buildable.

Skills Demonstrated