Dave Hoffer

Adjunct Professor

AUG 2025 - PRESENT · 1.2 years

• Developed and delivered an engaging curriculum for a graduate-level Design Research course, fostering critical thinking. • Guided students from diverse backgrounds in achieving their academic goals in Experience Design. • Utilized innovative teaching methods and real-world case studies to enhance learning outcomes.

Adjunct Professor

JAN 2025 - PRESENT · 1.8 years

Teaching undergraduate classes in the Interaction Design department. Incorporating traditional design skills with AI as it evolves. Updating curricula. Participating in student development. Mentoring several students.

Design Advisor

DEC 2023 - PRESENT · 2.8 years

Informd is a collective of experienced researchers, designers, and strategic thinkers. We help inform future innovation and life-centered experiences. Informd's goals align with my imperative to focus on mission-driven work. Design is a problem-solving discipline, and humanity faces many problems.

Independent Design / Design Leadership

JAN 2023 - PRESENT · 3.8 years

Versatile Design Leader working strategically and tactically across Brand, User Experience, and User Research. With a focus on innovation, transformation, and product development, I’ve delivered B2B, B2C, and E2E experiences across numerous domains, including technology, insurance, and heavy industry. Moving forward, my focus is on empathy and inclusion. Currently consulting with clients, including several AI startups and Checkbook.io

Chief Design Officer

DEC 2021 - JAN 2023 · 1.2 years

We developed cutting-edge software leveraging AI to analyze children’s online interactions and provide real-time nudges to keep them on task and safe. This innovative platform still employs our proprietary framework based on well-researched mental health principles to foster curiosity and teachable moments. My role spanned both strategic vision and tactical execution, encompassing: Design Leadership: Directed all brand initiatives, led user research, designed all products, and informed product strategy. User-Centered Innovation: Created a comprehensive design system to ensure a seamless and impactful user experience. Cross-Functional Impact: Delivered compelling sales and marketing materials, driving engagement across social media.

Managing Director - Inclusive Design and Accessibility

JAN 2021 - DEC 2021 · 1 year

Headed up design for Digital Labs building B2B software, driving product design innovation and championing the introduction of Inclusive Design across the firm. By embedding accessibility principles into our design processes, we created a more equitable user experience, setting a new standard for product excellence. Design Leadership and Strategic Impact: Directed product design and set the strategic vision for commercial offerings, ensuring alignment with business goals and user needs. Inclusive Design Advocacy: Established an inclusive design framework that prioritized accessibility, influencing both the design approach and application across the firm’s products and services. Community Building and Team Development: Built and scaled a firm-wide design community of hundreds, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. Led efforts in hiring, managing, coaching, mentoring, and evaluations

Managing Director - Head of Design PWC Labs

JAN 2020 - JAN 2021 · 1.1 years

Associate Partner - Head Of Design - New Ventures

JUL 2017 - JAN 2020 · 2.6 years

Led the establishment of Design Operations for our team, driving critical functions such as hiring, professional development, and performance reviews. This foundational work supported the rapid growth of our design organization, scaling from a small team to an impressive 400 designers worldwide in just three years, all while serving Fortune 50 clients globally. Subsequently promoted to Head of Design, building and nurturing a team of designers within a globally distributed, cross-functional group delivering consultant applications. I developed McKinsey’s Design System, playing a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s global brand redesign, and delivered innovative digital products. Leadership and Operations: Spearheaded global team leadership, established best practices, managed budgeting, and optimized hiring and onboarding processes. Client Impact: Drove multiple digital transformations across industries, including the launch of a B2C financial product that generated $2 billion in revenue within its first two years. Global Influence: Advocated for design excellence across McKinsey, contributing to client proposals, delivering high-impact solutions, and teaching design to teams globally.

Associate Partner - Design

DEC 2015 - JUL 2017 · 1.7 years

Design Director

JAN 2015 - JAN 2016 · 1.1 years

Senior Director of User Experience

APR 2013 - DEC 2014 · 1.8 years

At Declara, I was one of the first employees, playing a key role in scaling the company from just 7 to 120 people. I built and led a talented design team of six, driving the creation of multiple iterations of B2B web and mobile applications. My team conducted in-depth user research to shape product direction and crafted a cohesive brand identity for both the company and its products, ensuring a seamless and impactful user experience.

Director of User Experience

JAN 2010 - APR 2013 · 3.3 years

At OpenPeak, I led a cross-functional team encompassing UX and Industrial Design to develop and launch the Cisco Cius—the pioneering 7-inch Android-based enterprise tablet. Under my leadership, our team consistently delivered the product on schedule, first for Cisco and later for AT&T, ensuring a seamless and innovative user experience.

Associate Creative Director

DEC 2006 - JAN 2010 · 3.2 years

I spent five years at frog executing a range of design work - both tactical and strategic. I managed a team of 10, held various studio leadership roles, and was involved in resource allocation and planning. In addition, I was directly involved with writing proposals, sales, account management, reviews, and hiring. - Team and studio leadership, including building the Palo Alto office from 2 to 20 designers - Led numerous client projects across various verticals and domains from consumer to B2B - Worked with both digital, physical, and service projects - Contributed thought leadership by creating articles and videos for Design Mind, our printed and digital magazine - Worked for clients including Disney, LG, HP, Roche, and numerous others.

Principal Designer

JUL 2006 - DEC 2006 · 6 months

Design, Interaction Design, Management

Senior Design Analyst

JAN 2005 - JUL 2006 · 1.6 years