About

Design Leadership | Product Design | UX Strategy | Creative Direction

Profile:
Design leader with over 15 years’ experience delivering high-quality digital products across multiple industries. Skilled at leading cross-functional teams, defining experience strategy, and improving product journeys through user-centred design. Strong focus on design systems, collaboration, and aligning design with business goals. Previous work includes globally recognised brands and complex digital platforms, combining high aesthetic standards with scalable, efficient delivery.

Head of Product Design & Design System
Depop – September 2023-Present

  • Led the product design strategy to improve user experience and support US market expansion.

  • Managed a team of five designers (three Product Designers and two UI Designers) within a broader design organisation of 15.

  • Expanded and governed the design system, ensuring consistency and scalability across all products and markets.

  • Overseeing 50% of the design organisation’s day-to-day delivery, ensuring efficient workflows and high-quality output.

Experience:

Head of Product Design
Westwing – November 2018–January 2022

  • Built and led the company’s first product design team, delivering digital products across two iOS, two Android, and two web apps.

  • Managed 5 designers and 2 researchers, ensuring collaboration and innovation across disciplines.

  • Partnered with 30 PMs and 5 designers to prioritise and execute initiatives, improving efficiency and output quality.

  • Oversaw user research to validate design decisions and embed a user-centred approach throughout the product lifecycle.

Head of Product Design/Product Design Director
Heycar Group – January 2022–September 2023

  • Led design across UK and DE markets, managing 9 designers directly and 20 indirectly through the design-system initiative.

  • Introduced agile workflows that increased productivity and raised delivery quality.

  • Partnered with Product leadership to refine processes and improve cross-functional performance.

  • After restructure: oversaw the merger of five design teams and markets, establishing consistent brand design and UX/UI standards.

  • After restructure: replaced the Product Design Director and maintained continuity of design leadership.

Digital Art Director
MarthaLouisa – February 2018–November 2018

Senior Digital Designer

Soho House – March 2017–February 2018

Lead Digital Designer
Verb Brands – June 2016–March 2017

Senior Digital Designer
Agent Provocateur – March 2015–June 2016

Digital & Print Designer
Orlebar Brown – July 2014–March 2015

Freelance Digital and Print Designer
Porter Magazine & Net-A-Porter – November 2013–July 2014

Freelance Designer
Various Companies – January 2012–November 2013

Based in London and open to global design leadership opportunities.
Contact jennifercottondesign@gmail.com | 07882 074 936