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PLOT TWIST
I'm a designer who skipped mobile. Intentionally!
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Hi, I'm Samarth!
A Product Design Leader building teams, systems, and cultures that scale ♥️
I'm a self-taught design leader with a non-traditional path. I started as a Chartered Accountancy aspirant before discovering my passion for design. Over 11+ years, I've progressed from hands-on craft to building, scaling & leading design teams across enterprise SaaS, fintech, and identity platforms.
Because building from zero requires versatility.
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Total years of experience
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Enterprise users served
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Mentees coached
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Years in leadership roles
What Drives Me
Day 0 Mindset
Approach every challenge with fresh eyes and relentless curiosity.
People First
Great products come from teams that feel trusted and empowered.
Business Impact
Design exists to serve outcomes, not just aesthetics.
Scribbles
aand
Shoutouts
Boris Fedorov
VP Product management
"Samarth partnered exceptionally well with our product management team. He helped to shape a culture of collaboration across roles that contributed to an overall high-performing environment."
Diksha Ghanshani
Product Designer
"Samarth emerges as an outstanding designer leader and mentor. His dedication is a source of inspiration, motivating the entire team. He's played a pivotal role in expanding my capabilities."
Christine Rhodenhill
Design Research Manager
"Samarth has been a timely and diligent partner for leading the Customer Empathy Initiative for entire Identity vertical in India. He's taken the initiative to bring customer voice to the India team. I greatly appreciate Samarth's partnership."
Keya Tollossa
Staff Design Researcher
"As an all-encompassing designer, Samarth continually impressed me with his versatility and expertise across various design specialties. He truly embodied the qualities of a thoughtful design partner, making him an invaluable asset for any organization. I cannot recommend him enough!"
Commonly asked
Questions?
What's your approach to building design teams from scratch?
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You mean the secret? Always hire for curiosity and courage over degrees & credentials. I look for folks who embrace a learning mindset & are ready to approach everyday challenges with a fresh pair of eyes, not defaulting to what worked before. The team we build becomes our portfolio as leaders. I invest heavily in creating systems that scale. It's not about managing designers, rather it is about building the culture where great design is conceived naturally.
What's your approach to building design teams from scratch?
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How did going from CA to design shape your leadership?
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The CA path taught me something most designers don't have these days: Systems Thinking and Business Fluency. This skill helps one translate the effort into impact. That language matters when design needs a seat at the strategic table. Being self taught also brought me the empathy towards folks finding their way. I still remember those midnight feeling of not knowing the 'right answer' & stil exploring ways. That struggle has shaped how I mentor today with patience with learning curves & focus on growth over perfection.
How did going from CA to design shape your leadership?
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What do you look for during the hiring process?
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Skills close gaps but intent opens doors. For me intent wins every single time. By now I have interviewed 5000+ and have hired, coached & mentored 75+ designer & the pattern has been clear, motivated designers with skill gaps will outpace talented designers who coast. I strongly believe theat the hunger to improve, courage to ask for feedback & the mindset to show up when it's hard cannot be taught. These are also the things I look for while hiring or mentoring.
What do you look for during the hiring process?
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What kind of a leader are you to your team?
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I lead with "Care Over Control." I've seen both extremes fail. In my experience leaders who shield their team from everything create dependency & the leaders who rule with authority burn people out. I believe in building real relationships. I know my team's families, celebrate their wins, support them through tough times. But I'm not their friend. When designers see me as a friend first, my feedback loses weight. When they fear me, psychological safety disappears. The balance? As a leader, knowing when to be a boss & when to be a buddy is important. I'll invest in your growth and shield you from chaos. But I won't shield you from accountability, feedback, or the discomfort of growth. High expectations with high support. That's how trust is built. Through consistency, not popularity.
