# Daniel Frydman > VP Design + Research (Ex-Meta, American Express, SmartNews, Sony Music) Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/danielfrydman Design Leadership delivering world class user experiences for scaling and growth oriented products. Award-winning track record leading teams, and organizations through product design and development lifecycle. From digital strategy through inspiration, ideation, and implementation across mobile, social, blockchains, dAPPs, enterprise systems, e-commerce platforms, and strategic business applications. 20+ years experience creating innovative digital solutions and online experiences audiences use, love and return to, over and over again. Specialties include: leading and supporting designers and design teams, building healthy impactful product teams and organizations through research, UX, UI, visual design, product design, mobile design, digital strategy, creative direction, social media, digital experiences, service design, strategic content and research. Additional concentration in technology for development; web3; stablecoins; design education; bread baking; grant writing; ice carving (cubes to crushed); and improving my ever evolving “superman” on the trampoline. ## Work Experience ### Sr. Director Product Design @ Circle Jan 2022 – Present Leading design for the future of money in crypto and web3. We're hiring, come join us! ### Head Of Design @ SmartNews Jan 2020 – Jan 2022 Built the design team and discipline including product design, design ops, and ux research during a period of hyper growth and internationalization, resulting in doubling valuation. ### Director Product Design @ Facebook Jan 2017 – Jan 2020 | Menlo Park Design leadership for product teams focused on big bets and new initiatives across consumer, enterprise, and smb's in mobile and regulated environments. ### VP / Head of Design + User Experience @ American Express Jan 2015 – Jan 2017 | Greater New York City Area Lead the design team for consumer. Developed the American Express Design Language System and scaled to support all AMEX globally including SMB's and Enterprise; Built new servicing platform, new mobile apps, and voice UI; Grew team to include Product Design, UX Research, Design Ops, and Content Strategy. ### SVP / Executive Creative Director - Product Design, Content + User Experience @ Sony Jan 2013 – Jan 2015 | Greater New York City Area Responsible for leading best-in-class user-centered design experiences, products and services for Sony's direct to consumer service. -Leads rGenerator’s product design, content, and user experience practice globally -Guides client relationships and provides senior oversight -Senior client counsel, extending business through data driven strategic insights, close collaboration, and innovative solution-finding workshops -Champion of the UX roadmap, partnering closely with key stakeholders and clients to ensure product continuity and strategic value -Evangelizes rGenerator’s thought leadership through speaking engagements, panels, client meetings, and internally throughout the organization -Developed cross disciplinary mentorship program for product design, UX and content teams -Member of the global executive team ### VP / Executive Creative Director - Design, Content + User Experience @ Sony Music Jan 2009 – Jan 2013 Lead the user experience, design, and creative direction of Sony Music’s digital products and services for the major label groups including Columbia Records, Epic Records, Legacy Recordings, Nashville, and the RCA Music Group and their artists. Guide interactive music efforts to increase KPI’s for reach, retention, and conversions through developing strategic content, progressively enhanced UX, social media, SEO improvements, digital marketing and advertising, and e-commerce best in class practices. Play a leadership role in the management, strategy, and execution of Sony Music’s 120 person Direct to Consumer team. Developed and pitch wining proposals for innovative new business's and services outside of Sony and throughout entertainment. Part of the executive team that successfully migrated the direct to consumer business out of Sony Music, to become a wholly owned independently operated Sony business, servicing clients inside and outside Sony, in the music, gaming, film, sports, tv and live event verticals. ### Design Director @ Userplane, an AOL company Jan 2007 – Jan 2009 Lead UX, UI, and design for company with social media products and a social network. Ranked as a top 30 ad networks, Userplane provides user engagement and ad serving solutions for MySpace, Facebook, Bebo, Deviant Art , Hi 5, IMeem , Ning and more. I run design and production for Userplane. We're responsible for the apps, forward facing materials, and user experiences. We're a small, dedicated team focusing on improved user experiences and white labeled, rev-sharing apps. ### Adjunct Professor @ Art Center College of Design Jan 1997 – Jan 2009 I teach advanced interactive design courses in the undergraduate and graduate Media Design Program and advise various students on thesis and projects, as needed. ### Project Director / Principal Investigator @ Council of the International Exchange of Scholars Jan 2005 – Jan 2006 Received a Fulbright Award through the the State Departments Council for the International Exchange of Scholars, for investigation into the use and efficacy of interfaces for matters of public health with HIV affected youth in Tanzania. ### Sr Art Director @ FOX Jan 2004 – Jan 2005 Directed new media programs for FOX Network Entertainment. Oversaw UX strategy, IA development, and UI design for all of Fox Network Entertainment’s web, iTV and online advertising initiatives. Created websites for the full slate of FOX TV shows including: American Idol, The Simpsons, The OC, 24, Life on a Stick, House, Prison Break, Hells Kitchen, Trading Spouses, Bernie Mac Show, Bones, etc. Led creative and content for innovative new media initiatives including viral marketing campaigns, short films and 3D gaming environments to support FOX properties. ### Adjunct Professor @ Otis College of Art and Design Jan 1998 – Jan 2004 Professor for design and media courses for the Communication Arts Department ### Creative Director @ Kentro Media Jan 2000 – Jan 2004 Developed creative marketing, new media, and Interactive TV solutions for AFI, Warner Brothers, Animation Collectibles, Superdudes, Madhive, E-Camp, Harley Davidson, Teleglobe, Media Chase, 5G Wireless, and TRUE. Duties included: concept and ideation; core strategic messaging; planning and resource allocation, and creative staff project management. ### Creative Director @ DNA Studios Jan 2000 – Jan 2001 Developed interactive content and new media intiatves for film, tv, and music clients. ### Creative Director @ iXL Jan 1999 – Jan 2000 Creative Director for a large consulting company focusing on advertising and marketing programs for fortune 500 interactive. ### Producer / Lead Experimental Interface Design @ NBC + USWeb/CKS* Jan 1997 – Jan 1999 Designed experimental interactive marketing initiatives for NBC, Toshiba, and Ford/Lincoln. Produced award-winning cross-promotional games and messaging for TV shows including: The Tonight Show, Conan O'Brien, The Pretender, The Profiler, Homicide, and various NBC Movies of the Week. Designed first broadband ecommerce 3D retail space for Toshiba. Developed online media and on air / online fusion for: Saturday Morning (Saved By The Bell, Hang Time, City Guys) Friday Night (The Pretender, The Profiler) Late Night (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien) Special Events (Golden Globes, The 60s, Noahs Ark) Day to Day (Passions) *NBC outsourced digital production to USWeb / CKS during my tenure. ## Education ### MFA in photography / art ArtCenter College of Design Jan 1994 – Jan 1997 ### BFA Rochester Institute of Technology Jan 1992 – Jan 1993 ### UCLA ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-frydman-4411185 - Website: facebook.com --- Source: https://flows.cv/danielfrydman JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/danielfrydman/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-07