Good product design is invisible —it’s not about the design, it’s about people.
Derek Snape
Derek Snape | Design Director | 415 235 5605
I love what I do, and I'm really good at it.
With over 15 years in product design and more than 5 years leading and mentoring teams, I’m relentlessly user-focused—because if it doesn’t work for the user, then what’s the point? I’ve built teams from scratch, taken over existing ones, and even co-manage a team at home. Through it all, one truth stands out: having the right mix of people is what drives me.

You don’t need a lineup of rockstars; it's not sustainable, and often, it's just overkill. The real magic happens when you build a team that’s perfectly balanced for the project’s needs, where each person brings exactly what’s needed to solve the problem at hand. It’s about creating a cohesive unit where everyone’s unique skills contribute to something greater than the sum of its parts. That’s the real win—achieving success by assembling a team that’s not just talented but aligned and equipped to deliver meaningful results.
Throughout my career I have worked with amazing clients.
ABN Amaro
About a Baby
Adidas
Albert Watson
American Red Cross
Beginly Health
Bjorn Iooss
Bloomberg Publishing
Cal Tech
Charles Schwab
Christopher Micaud
Coca Cola
Daimler Chrysler
Fuseproject
Handman Associates
Harry and David
hubwear
IDEO
Janice Richer
Kwaku Alston
MNML
MCI
Motorola
Neenah Paper
NIKE
Powerade
Progressive Insurance
Rally Health
Richard MacDonald
Robert Diadul
Rockwell Group
Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects
Time Inc.
Tony Barbera
Walter Iooss
Wholefoods
WW Grainger
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Rally Central
Rally Central
I climbed the ranks at Rally from pushing pixels to becoming a Design Director, where I led teams and drove strategy. The team took charge of designing a comprehensive tooling system for diverse administrative users, ensuring a seamless experience across various tools by building on foundational workflows. The team also spearheaded the creation of a style guide, transforming it into a dynamic, living resource that accelerated design and implementation for new tool projects.
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Optum Rx
Optum RX Mobile App
The Optum Rx mobile app provides users with a seamless way to manage their prescriptions and healthcare needs. It offers convenient features like easy prescription refills, medication reminders, and a pharmacy locator to find nearby pharmacies. Users can also access digital ID cards, track their order history, and compare medication prices for cost savings.
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Rally Engage
Rally Health Engage
Through a fine tuned balance of curated challenges, programs, recommendations and rewards we looked to reach the users with content that best fits their needs. I worked to keep design and information consistent throughout the users’ Rally experience. Rally is a B2B/C product, our user base are employees whose company provide UnitedHealthCare insurance and have opted to use Rally as their wellness program. Currently, Rally has a user base of 25+ million.
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Rally Central
Optum Career Ladder
Big companies often rely on one-size-fits-all approaches for employee development, and Optum was no different. I wanted something more personalized, so I designed the 'Career Ladder' worksheet—a hands-on tool with self-review topics, relevant skills, and a goals tracker to foster individual growth and track progress.
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Rally Central
Beginly Health

BEGINLY Health is a personalized job-matching platform for clinicians, designed to help you explore new opportunities anonymously, no matter where you are in your career. The goal is to boost engagement and become a go-to resource for physicians seeking more than just a job search. By providing vetted company connections and personalized BEGINLY matching scores that align with each user's goals and profile, BEGINLY aims to become the ultimate hub for medical job seekers. The platform is evolving to deliver even more value beyond finding the next opportunity.

In Progress
Team Snape
Team Snape
As a remote team leader, I prioritize clear communication and active listening, ensuring everyone feels connected. I balance strategic planning with strong organization to keep us aligned with company goals and deadlines. Adaptable and supportive, I help the team navigate remote work challenges and foster collaboration. I trust my team members, encouraging their creativity and growth, and I value ongoing development through mentorship. Recognizing the importance of social connections, I organize non-work syncs to keep us engaged and bonded.
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With extensive experience spanning roles as a business owner, Design Director, Creative Director, Senior Art Director, Senior Web Designer, Art Director, and Professional Photographer, I thrive in dynamic and highly creative environments. My passion lies in collaborating with inspiring individuals who share a profound love for design and art.

As a creative talent, I excel in providing innovative solutions across multiple disciplines. I have a proven ability to build and direct teams, articulating a compelling vision for each project. As a strategic thinker with a wide range of design capabilities, I am process-oriented, organized, and highly motivated to achieve exceptional results.

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