



Leading a design team is a completely different skill from doing design work. To lead others, you must first learn how to lead yourself. It requires clarity, courage, and a lot of unlearning. Operate with confidence, build trust across your organization, and create conditions where great work actually happens.
Videos about
Videos about
Design Leadership
Podcasts about
Podcasts about
Design Leadership
featuring Dan Mall
featuring Dan Mall

Design To Be Conversation
Creating Boundaries and Psychological Safety
How boundaries, psychological safety, and a culture of learning can help designers take creative risks and drive better collaboration.
45:00

Design To Be Conversation
Creating Boundaries and Psychological Safety
How boundaries, psychological safety, and a culture of learning can help designers take creative risks and drive better collaboration.
45:00

Design Details
Master Yodan
Freelancing, job titles, and helping people do the best work of their lives.
1:07:02

Design Details
Master Yodan
Freelancing, job titles, and helping people do the best work of their lives.
1:07:02

Ctrl+Click Cast
Professionalism
The importance of communication and accountability and how we’ve all evolved as professionals from an employee to an owner standpoint.
1:02:09

Ctrl+Click Cast
Professionalism
The importance of communication and accountability and how we’ve all evolved as professionals from an employee to an owner standpoint.
1:02:09
You can’t fight your mindset. But you can change your mind.
Excerpted from
They say comparison is the thief of joy. That can be true. But comparison can also be a helpful reference point.
Excerpted from
When a client panics, it’s rarely about what they’re seeing. It’s usually about what they can’t see.
Excerpted from

You can’t fight your mindset. But you can change your mind.
Excerpted from
They say comparison is the thief of joy. That can be true. But comparison can also be a helpful reference point.
Excerpted from
When a client panics, it’s rarely about what they’re seeing. It’s usually about what they can’t see.
Excerpted from

You can’t fight your mindset. But you can change your mind.
Excerpted from
They say comparison is the thief of joy. That can be true. But comparison can also be a helpful reference point.
Excerpted from
When a client panics, it’s rarely about what they’re seeing. It’s usually about what they can’t see.
Excerpted from

All articles about
The Business of Design
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Books about
Books about
Design Leadership
I recommend
I recommend
All links are affiliate links.
All links are affiliate links.
All links are affiliate links.
Dan is an educator, mentor, and most importantly, a friend. He is a leader who helps others realize their superpowers and deliver their best work, all while showing how to enjoy the ride. The things I’ve learned from him will forever be key parts of my DNA as a designer.
Julia Fernandez
,
Senior Product Designer
,
Meta
I’ve worked with Dan for a decade. His ideas are just always better.
Crystal Vitelli
,
Director of Operations
,
Chromatic
Dan is exceedingly generous with his time, advice, resources, and knowledge. He’s the best mentor I have ever had.
Riley Sykes
,
Lead Product Designer
,
The New York Times
As a new leader, Dan helped me find and create clarity for our team, not by giving me all the answers, but by helping me grow and find the confidence to chart our path forward together.
Mikaila Weaver
,
Principal Designer
,
Eventbrite
Working with Dan has been truly career-changing. His influence still shapes how I tackle project possibilities and solutions.
Lauren Deal
,
Executive Producer
,
Instrument
I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to learn anymore at work. Working with Dan changed that.
Norel Hassan
,
Product Design Director
,
The New York Times
There are few designers that can capture a brand’s essence and deliver a design that takes that brand to a new level. Dan did that at the pitch meeting.
Rob Walker
,
Former Manager, Digital Marketing & Mobile Product Development
,
Crayola
Dan is a phenomenon. He is equal parts analytical and intuitive, collaborative and focused, tenacious and calm. He’s one of the finest people I’ve had the opportunity to work with.
Michael Lebowitz
,
Founder & Executive Chairman
,
Big Spaceship
Dan’s attention to detail and lusciously rich arsenal of knowledge in both design and code make him an amazing collaborator and leader. He is a great teacher, mentor, friend, and a genuinely exceptional human being.
Benjamin Bojko
,
Creative Tech Director
Dan has one of the best minds for design in our industry, but he takes it so much further in his unparalleled grace and his seamless collaboration.
Mike Kenny
,
Director, Experience Design
,
Justworks
Dan’s wisdom echoes for miles. The only thing that rivals his passion for creating amazing work is his ridiculously large sneaker collection.
Jay Quercia
,
Art Director & Illustrator
Dan has vision and is able to see the potential in anything he touches. He never stops thinking about what can be done better, which leads to fresh, smart, and original work.
Sabah Kosoy
,
Staff UX Program Manager, Bard
,
Dan is a powerful leader who honors everyone’s input.
Rebecca Mitchell
,
Co-head Corporate Communications
,
Point72
Dan is a very special blend of leader, teacher, and experience. He’s contagious.
S. Jason Prohaska
,
Managing Director
,
Media.Monks
Dan isn’t just knowledgeable; he’s got this endearing presence. When he speaks, I’m compelled to listen.
Eric Odom
,
Co-founder
,
Art Dept. Club
Working with Dan early on in my career was a major turning point for me and helped change the way I think about teamwork and leadership.
Carlos Andujar
,
Product Designer
Dan’s ability to teach is both innovative and deeply personal.
Kevin Deal
,
Front-end Developer
I’m grateful to have Dan as a mentor to call on. He answers the call and listens. He asks tough questions that point me back to my core values, and he shares the truth of his own struggles so that I don't feel alone.
Audrey Pray, Jr.
,
Founder & CEO
,
A2 Collective

Dan is an educator, mentor, and most importantly, a friend. He is a leader who helps others realize their superpowers and deliver their best work, all while showing how to enjoy the ride. The things I’ve learned from him will forever be key parts of my DNA as a designer.
Julia Fernandez
,
Senior Product Designer
,
Meta
I’ve worked with Dan for a decade. His ideas are just always better.
Crystal Vitelli
,
Director of Operations
,
Chromatic
Dan is exceedingly generous with his time, advice, resources, and knowledge. He’s the best mentor I have ever had.
Riley Sykes
,
Lead Product Designer
,
The New York Times
As a new leader, Dan helped me find and create clarity for our team, not by giving me all the answers, but by helping me grow and find the confidence to chart our path forward together.
Mikaila Weaver
,
Principal Designer
,
Eventbrite
Working with Dan has been truly career-changing. His influence still shapes how I tackle project possibilities and solutions.
Lauren Deal
,
Executive Producer
,
Instrument
I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to learn anymore at work. Working with Dan changed that.
Norel Hassan
,
Product Design Director
,
The New York Times
There are few designers that can capture a brand’s essence and deliver a design that takes that brand to a new level. Dan did that at the pitch meeting.
Rob Walker
,
Former Manager, Digital Marketing & Mobile Product Development
,
Crayola
Dan is a phenomenon. He is equal parts analytical and intuitive, collaborative and focused, tenacious and calm. He’s one of the finest people I’ve had the opportunity to work with.
Michael Lebowitz
,
Founder & Executive Chairman
,
Big Spaceship
Dan’s attention to detail and lusciously rich arsenal of knowledge in both design and code make him an amazing collaborator and leader. He is a great teacher, mentor, friend, and a genuinely exceptional human being.
Benjamin Bojko
,
Creative Tech Director
Dan has one of the best minds for design in our industry, but he takes it so much further in his unparalleled grace and his seamless collaboration.
Mike Kenny
,
Director, Experience Design
,
Justworks
Dan’s wisdom echoes for miles. The only thing that rivals his passion for creating amazing work is his ridiculously large sneaker collection.
Jay Quercia
,
Art Director & Illustrator
Dan has vision and is able to see the potential in anything he touches. He never stops thinking about what can be done better, which leads to fresh, smart, and original work.
Sabah Kosoy
,
Staff UX Program Manager, Bard
,
Dan is a powerful leader who honors everyone’s input.
Rebecca Mitchell
,
Co-head Corporate Communications
,
Point72
Dan is a very special blend of leader, teacher, and experience. He’s contagious.
S. Jason Prohaska
,
Managing Director
,
Media.Monks
Dan isn’t just knowledgeable; he’s got this endearing presence. When he speaks, I’m compelled to listen.
Eric Odom
,
Co-founder
,
Art Dept. Club
Working with Dan early on in my career was a major turning point for me and helped change the way I think about teamwork and leadership.
Carlos Andujar
,
Product Designer
Dan’s ability to teach is both innovative and deeply personal.
Kevin Deal
,
Front-end Developer
I’m grateful to have Dan as a mentor to call on. He answers the call and listens. He asks tough questions that point me back to my core values, and he shares the truth of his own struggles so that I don't feel alone.
Audrey Pray, Jr.
,
Founder & CEO
,
A2 Collective

Dan is an educator, mentor, and most importantly, a friend. He is a leader who helps others realize their superpowers and deliver their best work, all while showing how to enjoy the ride. The things I’ve learned from him will forever be key parts of my DNA as a designer.
Julia Fernandez
,
Senior Product Designer
,
Meta
I’ve worked with Dan for a decade. His ideas are just always better.
Crystal Vitelli
,
Director of Operations
,
Chromatic
Dan is exceedingly generous with his time, advice, resources, and knowledge. He’s the best mentor I have ever had.
Riley Sykes
,
Lead Product Designer
,
The New York Times
As a new leader, Dan helped me find and create clarity for our team, not by giving me all the answers, but by helping me grow and find the confidence to chart our path forward together.
Mikaila Weaver
,
Principal Designer
,
Eventbrite
Working with Dan has been truly career-changing. His influence still shapes how I tackle project possibilities and solutions.
Lauren Deal
,
Executive Producer
,
Instrument
I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to learn anymore at work. Working with Dan changed that.
Norel Hassan
,
Product Design Director
,
The New York Times
There are few designers that can capture a brand’s essence and deliver a design that takes that brand to a new level. Dan did that at the pitch meeting.
Rob Walker
,
Former Manager, Digital Marketing & Mobile Product Development
,
Crayola
Dan is a phenomenon. He is equal parts analytical and intuitive, collaborative and focused, tenacious and calm. He’s one of the finest people I’ve had the opportunity to work with.
Michael Lebowitz
,
Founder & Executive Chairman
,
Big Spaceship
Dan’s attention to detail and lusciously rich arsenal of knowledge in both design and code make him an amazing collaborator and leader. He is a great teacher, mentor, friend, and a genuinely exceptional human being.
Benjamin Bojko
,
Creative Tech Director
Dan has one of the best minds for design in our industry, but he takes it so much further in his unparalleled grace and his seamless collaboration.
Mike Kenny
,
Director, Experience Design
,
Justworks
Dan’s wisdom echoes for miles. The only thing that rivals his passion for creating amazing work is his ridiculously large sneaker collection.
Jay Quercia
,
Art Director & Illustrator
Dan has vision and is able to see the potential in anything he touches. He never stops thinking about what can be done better, which leads to fresh, smart, and original work.
Sabah Kosoy
,
Staff UX Program Manager, Bard
,
Dan is a powerful leader who honors everyone’s input.
Rebecca Mitchell
,
Co-head Corporate Communications
,
Point72
Dan is a very special blend of leader, teacher, and experience. He’s contagious.
S. Jason Prohaska
,
Managing Director
,
Media.Monks
Dan isn’t just knowledgeable; he’s got this endearing presence. When he speaks, I’m compelled to listen.
Eric Odom
,
Co-founder
,
Art Dept. Club
Working with Dan early on in my career was a major turning point for me and helped change the way I think about teamwork and leadership.
Carlos Andujar
,
Product Designer
Dan’s ability to teach is both innovative and deeply personal.
Kevin Deal
,
Front-end Developer
I’m grateful to have Dan as a mentor to call on. He answers the call and listens. He asks tough questions that point me back to my core values, and he shares the truth of his own struggles so that I don't feel alone.
Audrey Pray, Jr.
,
Founder & CEO
,
A2 Collective


Helping designers get their flowers.
45,601 followers
•
15,979 connections

45,100 followers
6,458 subscribers
•
79 videos

6,296 followers
•
221 posts
This site is typeset in Bueno by Rajesh Rajput, Thermal by Reset Type Studio, Mark by Hannes von Döhren and Christoph Koeberlin, Manteca by Emyself Design, and Inter by Rasmus Andersson.
This is version 6.0.2 of my personal website. Older versions: v5, v4, v3, v2 (no longer online), v1 (no longer online).
Black lives matter.
© Dan Mall Teaches 2005–2026. All rights reserved.
Made proudly in Philly. Thou shalt not steal—but feel free to remix.


Helping designers get their flowers.
45,601 followers
•
15,979 connections

45,100 followers
6,458 subscribers
•
79 videos

6,296 followers
•
221 posts
This site is typeset in Bueno by Rajesh Rajput, Thermal by Reset Type Studio, Mark by Hannes von Döhren and Christoph Koeberlin, Manteca by Emyself Design, and Inter by Rasmus Andersson.
This is version 6.0.2 of my personal website. Older versions: v5, v4, v3, v2 (no longer online), v1 (no longer online).
Black lives matter.
© Dan Mall Teaches 2005–2026. All rights reserved.
Made proudly in Philly. Thou shalt not steal—but feel free to remix.


Helping designers get their flowers.
45,601 followers
•
15,979 connections

45,100 followers
6,458 subscribers
•
79 videos

6,296 followers
•
221 posts
This site is typeset in Bueno by Rajesh Rajput, Thermal by Reset Type Studio, Mark by Hannes von Döhren and Christoph Koeberlin, Manteca by Emyself Design, and Inter by Rasmus Andersson.
This is version 6.0.2 of my personal website. Older versions: v5, v4, v3, v2 (no longer online), v1 (no longer online).
Black lives matter.
© Dan Mall Teaches 2005–2026. All rights reserved.
Made proudly in Philly. Thou shalt not steal—but feel free to remix.
























