Background

From an early age I’ve always enjoyed art, design, puzzles, jigsaws, Lego, you name it. No doubt this creative streak and curiosity is what originally lead me to complete my primary degree in Industrial Design, followed by a masters degree in Computing & Design.

I have 20+ years of team lead experience. Currently, I lead a dynamic team of product designers and researchers at Goatpath by SoftwareOne, shaping the future of the software procurement industry.

Prior to this I was Head of Product Design and Research at Flipdish, a food tech disruptor and one of Ireland’s most recent tech unicorns. And before that I lead the UX team at Cubic Telecom in the connected device and connected vehicle spaces working with clients such as Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, Tesla, Panasonic & HP.

My team lead experience began in the online advertising world where I lead the design teams at DoubleClick & AdLink Internet Media providing creative solutions for clients such as Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, MTV, Unilever & Mercedes.

It’s fair to say that I approach Product Design from not only the problem solving, but also the creative side of things. I very much enjoy what I do.

My approach

I’ve learned a lot from my experience managing and mentoring both Product Design & UX Research teams over the years. Well used to operating in fast paced rapid-growth startup environment, I’m a strong believer in a collaborative approach and operate on a non-hierarchical level where everybody’s opinion is not only welcome but necessary for project success.

I also believe it is important, particularly in design related roles, to provide a nurturing and encouraging environment where designers can develop creatively. I have a genuine interest in the development of my team members.

Continued development

In order to build on my leadership skills, I completed a Professional Diploma in Management Development. This has provided me with many practical methodologies that I now apply in day to day team situations. New skills that I have learned include:

  • DiSC management styles
  • Listening & questioning skills
  • Feedback styles
  • Flexible management
  • Delegation
  • Goals & performance
  • Motivation
  • Growth mindset
  • Smart goal setting
  • Performance management

Some nice things my colleagues have said

Conor O'Sullivan
Co-owner & Head of Europe, Servify

“Alan is a rock solid design leader with a great eye and an expansive skillset in design management… Fundamentally he also prossesses a deep empathy for user experience from both business and customer perpectives…”

Cathal Ryan
Global Senior Insights Lead, Microsoft

“Alan delivers in a calm, pragmatic and inclusive style. He is generous in providing thought leardership and mentors our project teams to uncover latent user needs through iterative design processes. Alan is permanently upbeat, energetic and enthusiastic. I have never failed to be inspired by a session he has facilitated over the years.”

I've worked with some cool brands