Coaching for your Design Leadership Journey

Strategic guidance for design leaders at every career stage

Leading design can be a uniquely challenging experience. You're constantly balancing the need for creativity and innovation with business objectives and technical constraints. It's a delicate dance that requires strategic thinking, strong communication, and an unwavering focus on user-centered design. And let's be honest, sometimes it feels like you're the only one who remembers that design is about solving real human problems, not just making things look pretty.

Whether you're stepping into your first leadership role as a Head of Design, navigating the responsibilities of a VP, or charting the course as a Chief Design Officer, I'm here to help you succeed.

About Your Coach

Matte Scheinker, Design Leadership Coach with 20+ years of product and design experience

Having spent 20+ years building and leading product and design teams across the tech landscape from enterprise solutions to consumer platforms, I've navigated the full spectrum of leadership challenges.

My career path offers a valuable perspective: I started as a designer, grew into design leadership, and eventually expanded to lead both product and design organizations. This cross-functional experience gives me particular insight into the challenges design leaders face when collaborating with product teams and advocating for design's strategic value.

Throughout my career, I've navigated the challenges you're facing now: building teams, communicating design's value, balancing creativity with business objectives, and transforming organizations through user-centered thinking.

I've worked with 100+ leaders from 60+ companies, from first-time managers to seasoned executives, helping them elevate their impact and navigate the complexities of leadership in design-driven organizations.

Schedule a free leadership chat

New to Design Leadership?

The leap from IC designer to Design Leader can feel like crossing a vast chasm. I'm here to help you navigate this transition and grow confidently into your new role. Here's how I typically support emerging design leaders:

Evangelizing Design as a Strategic Function

Communicate design's value to stakeholders who might see it as purely aesthetic
Build a design-thinking culture that extends beyond your immediate team
Align design initiatives with broader business goals and metrics
Transform design into your organization's unfair advantage

Strengthening Cross-Functional Partnerships

Build strong relationship with your key partners from engineering to product to marketing, sales, and beyond
Develop strategies to navigate competing priorities and tight deadlines
Craft a shared design language that resonates with non-designers

Navigating the IC-to-Leader Transition

Develop leadership principles that align with your design philosophy
Balance high-level strategy with tactical execution (yes, you can still open Figma)
Manage team dynamics, including those designers with strong opinions about everything
Build confidence in decision-making, especially with ambiguous design challenges

Seasoned Design Leader?

Whether you're looking to expand into adjacent functions or strengthen your organization through design, I'm here as your thought partner. Here's how I typically collaborate with experienced design leaders:

Breaking Through the Design Leadership Ceiling

Develop strategies to grow your impact beyond traditional design boundaries
Position yourself as a key strategic partner in the C-suite (see my recommended reading on executive communication)
Navigate the challenges (and leverage the advantages) of being "the design voice" in high-level business discussions

Cultivating Innovation Culture

Create an environment that encourages thoughtful risk-taking and creative problem-solving
Balance design consistency with innovation
Develop processes for rapid experimentation without sacrificing quality

Staying Relevant and Growing

Evaluate new design trends and technologies effectively (because not everything needs a dark mode toggle)
Build a personal learning and development plan to keep your skills sharp
Apply your experience to challenges across your organization

Ready to Elevate Your Design Leadership?

Whether you're taking your first steps into leadership or you've been shaping design strategies longer than some of your team members have been alive, I'm here as your trusted advisor and thought partner. My background spans large tech companies and high-growth startups, complemented by years of professional coaching experience.

Let's explore how we can work together to unlock your full potential as a Design Leader. My approach adapts to your specific needs, whether you're establishing design processes in a fast-growing startup or evolving the design culture in an established company. And don't worry, I promise not to suggest that you test 41 shades of blue.