Design Ops & Systems Leadership

YEAR

2023

The Agency, The Clients, The Moment

Workshore is a digital agency serving international clients across e-commerce, SaaS, healthcare, hospitality, and consumer brands. By 2023, the team had grown to 4 designers working across 10 concurrent projects/clients, each with its own pace, tools, and client expectations.

Designers & Developers led

In house and Freelance Designers and developer Team

Designers & Developers led

In house and Freelance Designers and developer Team

Designers & Developers led

In house and Freelance Designers and developer Team

Client Engagements

Single-handedly managed and design executed for client projects

Client Engagements

Single-handedly managed and design executed for client projects

Client Engagements

Single-handedly managed and design executed for client projects

Industries Served

E-commerce, SaaS, Healthcare, Hospitality, Renewable Energy, Resturant, entertainment and consumer brands

Industries Served

E-commerce, SaaS, Healthcare, Hospitality, Renewable Energy, Resturant, entertainment and consumer brands

Industries Served

E-commerce, SaaS, Healthcare, Hospitality, Renewable Energy, Resturant, entertainment and consumer brands

Where Design Was Breaking Down

As the work expanded, inconsistent files, handoffs, and project rituals made quality difficult to sustain across teams and clients.

My Role

I mapped the recurring friction points, aligned the team around a shared delivery model, and introduced clear standards for tools, feedback, and handoff.

I led project planning and execution across client engagements, from brief and SOW through to development handoff. Also owned the decision to build a shared system rather than let each project run independently. I managed and mentored a team of 4 designers, with direct say over hiring, review standards, and how quality was measured across deliverables.

The System

The new system brought design and development closer together, making execution more consistent while leaving room for each project’s creative needs.

The Result: 40% Faster, Without Adding Headcount

Shared libraries, clearer project structures, and more intentional team rituals created a stronger foundation for the work to grow.

What This Taught Me About Leading Design

Building this system taught me that design leadership isn't about protecting craft quality through more oversight — it's about building the structure that makes high quality the default. That's the same operating discipline I want to bring to a fashion or lifestyle brand: systems and team structure first, so craft can scale without burning people out.