Learning as a lifestyle
I learn because it’s fun! Outside work, I’m learning how to box, how to dance, or how to pour the perfect latte. That same playful mindset shapes my leadership: try stuff, mess up, and adjust.
When I’m free? Escape rooms or board games, where teamwork, spotting patterns, and making snap decisions actually feel like a good time.
I translate UX insight into a narrative that shapes product strategy.
How I lead
Leading design with clarity, not control
I don’t think design management is about control. It’s about clarity. So I spend my time:
- Naming the real problem and what ‘done’ looks like
- Getting designers unblocked through feedback, coaching, or just helping them say no
- Huddling with product and engineering so we’re all aiming at the same thing
- Surfacing trade-offs so nobody’s guessing, and we can actually move
People come to me when they have strong instincts about a product, but need help turning those instincts into a defensible product decision.
Carolyn J.
Dan has a deep and intimate knowledge of the UX design process. He is great at explaining concepts in a relatable and applicable way. During his lessons, he brought in examples from his professional experience so that learnings always felt very practical and linked to real-life scenarios. He provided a thorough and deeply informed answer to each question students posed.
Ray F.
I had the pleasure of being taught by Dan Vang for my UXDI program at General Assembly for which I am immensely grateful. Not only did Dan display his profound knowledge in everything UX, he showed that he truly cared about his students. Dan pushed us to become not only better UX Designers but better people. He was always encouraging us to not be afraid to ask questions and really channel that growth mindset. I’d highly recommend working with Dan if you want a great leader, mentor, and overall amazing addition to any project or team!
Ellie T.
Dan has always prioritized team collaboration and has a breadth of experience working in cross functional teams. His experience with cross functional collaboration was very apparent as an instructor. Dan’s philosophy on collaboration is to understand each team member’s motivations and only then can people achieve shared goals effectively.
Experience
I’m a Senior Product & UX Designer focused on turning ambiguity into shipped products.
I started in visual design and digital strategy, then moved into UX to work at a systems level, using research and data to guide decisions.
Over time, my role has expanded beyond design execution. I translate business goals into product decisions, mentor teams without getting in their way, and focus on building things people can and want to actually use.
General Assembly
2022 – Current, Los Angeles
Learning Experience Designer & UX Subject Matter Expert
- Designed and refined curriculum based on independent research and direct feedback from learners, reinforcing my commitment to continuous improvement and user-centered product thinking.
- Led cross-functional teams of students and collaborated with over 30 clients across industries to deliver user-centered solutions aligned with business goals, including a pilot initiative with Adobe focused on generative AI adoption.
- Coached and mentored over 120 students in making data-driven product decisions through user research, analytics, and iterative testing.
Freelance
2018 – 2022, Los Angeles
UX Designer
- Led end-to-end design initiatives across entertainment, telehealth, and software sectors, delivering user-centered solutions that prioritized accessibility and aligned with WCAG standards.
- Conducted research, usability testing, and prototyping to improve onboarding, engagement, and product usability for clients like Cipher Skin, Digital Karma, and WeAreMatik.
- Delivered high-impact, accessible experiences under tight deadlines in lean environments, with outcomes tailored to diverse user needs and real-world constraints.
Outlook News
2012 – 2018, Los Angeles
Graphic Designer
- Collaborated with design, marketing, sales, and IT teams to rebuild the company’s digital presence and launch an online sales platform that improved accessibility and revenue potential.
- Led a workflow optimization initiative using Adobe automation tools, reducing production turnaround time by over 50%.
- Developed training materials and style guides to standardize processes and support cross-functional alignment in a lean environment.
Currently open to Product Manager roles at early-stage or growth-stage companies where the problem space is still being shaped.
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