iPods, Intuition, and Influence: David Hoang on the UX Frontier
04/29/2025
SVUX: Can you tell us about your background? Where are you from, and how did you become interested in design?
David Hoang: I was born and raised in a small town in Southwest Washington. My parents were Vietnamese refugees, so I grew up in a multicultural, bilingual environment. Drawing has always been my passion—from sketching Spider-Man comics in grade school to enrolling in every art class possible in high school. Although I initially intended to major in Studio Art in college, I was drawn towards Computer Art and Graphic Design, which introduced me to tools like Flash and Photoshop. This curiosity eventually led me toward web design and programming electives, laying the groundwork for my career in UX design.
SVUX: What inspired you to pursue UX design specifically?
David Hoang: It was somewhat serendipitous. Graduating during the Great Recession, I took any job available, initially working as an Administrative Assistant while preparing my portfolio for grad school. Although I was accepted into graduate programs, financial realities led me to defer. In 2009, I landed my first tech role as a Design Consultant at ExactTarget. The emergence of the iPhone and mobile apps pushed me to leave and start a company focused on mobile experiences. UX became a natural convergence of my artistic roots and my fascination with technology.
SVUX: How did your early experiences shape your approach to design today?
David Hoang: Two values stand out: craft and generalism. My early days copying comic book heroes instilled meticulous attention to detail, while my diverse education—from painting to coding—taught me adaptability. This generalist mindset has shaped how I lead and collaborate. I emphasize the importance of both high-level strategy and pixel-perfect detail. It’s essential to adapt quickly, especially with technology evolving rapidly.
SVUX: What have been significant milestones in your career as a UX design leader?
David Hoang: The most impactful milestones revolve around team building and culture. At One Medical, we created a culture with exceptional retention and growth. At Webflow, several mentees advanced into significant leadership roles. Scaling design organizations during rapid growth periods is fulfilling because the momentum and principles we establish continue beyond my direct involvement.
SVUX: What’s the most challenging product experience you’ve designed, and why?
David Hoang: My current role at Atlassian is incredibly challenging due to the product complexity and scale. Atlassian’s diverse product portfolio serves various user bases, and design changes significantly impact established workflows. Ensuring consistency across products and managing changes at scale requires intricate orchestration and thoughtful design strategy.
SVUX: Who inspires you in the design community?
David Hoang: Kate Aronowitz has profoundly impacted my perspective on design leadership. Her roles at iconic companies like eBay, Facebook, and GV embody thoughtful, empathetic, and strategic design leadership. Her mentorship has significantly influenced my approach to cultivating healthy design cultures and leadership.
SVUX: How do you balance intuition with data-driven research?
David Hoang: I believe in being data-informed rather than data-driven. Early in product development, intuition—built from experience and pattern recognition—is crucial. As products mature, quantitative research validates and refines decisions. Balancing instinct and data ensures meaningful outcomes without becoming overly reliant on metrics.
SVUX: Is there a physical product you believe is beautifully designed?
David Hoang: The iPod Classic still impresses me. Its simplicity, tactile interface, high-quality audio, and singular focus on music create an experience unmatched today. Its clarity and intentional constraints exemplify timeless design.
SVUX: Where do you see UX heading in the coming years?
David Hoang: UX is transforming and is heavily influenced by AI. Designers must have a deeper understanding of systems and be fluent in new technologies. The role is evolving beyond screens toward designing dynamic, adaptive systems and collaborative environments. Despite AI advancements, designers must focus on human-centric, ethical design.
SVUX: What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
David Hoang: Focus on mastering the fundamentals and embrace unexpected opportunities. Don’t rush to prestigious titles—prioritize craft, collaboration, and systemic thinking. The most formative experiences often come from unplanned detours.
SVUX: Which Silicon Valley companies are creating exceptional UX now?
David Hoang: Perplexity stands out due to its cohesive, thoughtful approach to AI-assisted search. Companies like Figma and Notion also impress me by continuously evolving their products without sacrificing user experience quality.
SVUX: What emerging UX trends excite you?
David Hoang: I’m excited by the rapid prototyping capabilities available today. It fosters a culture of quick experimentation and deeper customer-centricity. However, this speed requires even stronger strategic clarity. I also appreciate the renewed focus on craft and intentional making.
SVUX: How do you approach mentoring the next generation?
David Hoang: Mentorship should be intentional, deep, and long-term. Drawing inspiration from historical guild systems, I closely mentor just a few designers at any given time. Mentorship isn’t optional—it’s a core leadership responsibility to nurture the next generation thoughtfully.
SVUX: Can you share a project you’re particularly proud of?
David Hoang: The redesign of One Medical’s app stands out. It evolved from simple appointment booking to a proactive health engagement system. Working collaboratively across disciplines to design for something as personal and impactful as health was advantageous.
SVUX: What essential qualities define a successful UX leader?
David Hoang: I focus on five qualities: Craft, Credibility, Conviction, Access, and Influence. A successful UX leader should deeply understand design craft, build credibility through explicit action, hold firm convictions, facilitate connections across teams, and wield influence strategically to shape product and organizational direction.
SVUX: How important is collaboration across disciplines in your process?
David Hoang: Collaboration is foundational. Titles don’t define ownership—we all share responsibility for customer value. My curiosity about product management and engineering has strengthened my empathy and effectiveness as a designer. Today, collaborative fluency is crucial, especially with technology evolving rapidly.
SVUX: How does user feedback influence your designs?
David Hoang: User feedback is critical, especially as we integrate evolving technologies like AI. It keeps our designs grounded in human needs, ensuring technological innovations translate into genuine value and usability.
SVUX: How do you stay current with technology and design?
David Hoang: I regularly set aside time for creative retreats to experiment with new tools and technologies. Staying close to the craft by "doing" is essential for remaining credible and innovative.
SVUX: What future challenges do you foresee for UX?
David Hoang: My biggest concern is losing analog thinking due to powerful digital tools. We risk bypassing critical problem-solving steps in favor of immediate execution. To counteract this trend, designers should prioritize foundational skills like systems thinking and user research.
SVUX: Finally, what keeps you passionate about UX?
David Hoang: The industry is at an exciting turning point, shifting toward multi-modal interactions and multi-generational teams. Bridging new technologies and emerging talents energizes me. I feel deeply responsible for mentoring and contributing meaningfully, fueling my passion.