Driving design on an organisational level at Germany’s largest social network for neighbourhoods: • Growing, leading and mentoring a cross-functional team of 8 designers • Spearheaded a brand language redesign in close collaboration with C-level • Leading cross-team effort for comprehensive product redesign aimed at consistency and simple usability • Driving implementation of an accessible design system across client teams
Daniel Swakman
Design Leader • Berlin, Germany
I'm an incurably passionate design leader with over 10 years of experience at the intersection of product, brand, and web design. I love working with innovative tech companies to create positive impact, using design as an instrument to drive business. My focus areas include:
Design
Creating impact through meticulous craftsmanship, integrated brand thinking, and an eye for detail
Tech
Bridging design and code with hands-on technical expertise, enabling seamless collaboration with development teams
Leadership
Growing and inspiring teams around a shared north star vision, driving design change within organisations
4 years as Head of Design at nebenan.de 2020-current
3 years as Design Director (freelance) at Sincere Studio 2017-2020
Sincere—Studio is an independent design studio, helping startups designing and building the digital world of today and tomorrow. Services include strategic design thinking, brand design, web design & development & product design for mobile and web apps.
3 years as Lead Mobile Designer at Paraşüt 2015-2018
Lead Mobile App Designer in growing team for accounting startup in Istanbul: joined startup at 10 employees, grew to 70 upon acquisition. In the team, I initiated and led the design and iterations of both iOS and Android apps. I also was responsible for the UX/UI design for countless features for the web application, as well as a modular marketing site/landing page solution
Paraşüt Mobile App
Paraşüt Web
2 years as co-founder & designer at Muhit 2015-2017
non-profit platform for urban improvement, design, product & business development
3 years as Lead Designer at eLearning startup in Amsterdam 2012-2015
Lead Designer for e-learning gaming applications (team of 3). Translating user needs for elementary school children (~300k daily users). Led comprehensive interface overhaul of game UI, brand streamlining & marketing website
+ side projects and freelance 2008-2023
freelance graphic & web designer, branding & identity, front-end design, visualisations
nebenan.de Design System
Reusable & usable patterns for neighbourhood platform
one4good
Bold shapes for a subscription platform for doing good
Gamer One
Creating a customisable home for pro gamers
Poltio
Strategic design of product experience and marketing language for an audience engagement tool
Muhit
Building an online platform allowing citizens to collaboratively improve their living environment
Paraşüt Mobile
Mobile app for invoicing SaaS startup that handles quick jobs on the go
Education
Graphic Design Summer School - Central Saint Martin’s 2015
Gamification Certificate - University of Pennsylvania 2014
Dual Master’s Degree in Architecture and Urbanism - TU Delft 2007-2011
Study Abroad Architecture - South Bank University London 2008
Bachelor’s Degree - Architecture TU Delft 2004-2007
Gymnasium Diploma - Vossius Gymnasium Amsterdam 1998-2004