Casey Cavanagh

I'm a product designer who leads through collaboration, ships with code, and measures impact with data.

Currently a Staff Product Designer at Quantum Metric, I've spent the last decade designing products that millions of people use daily—from Spotify's advertising platform to AI-powered analytics tools.

How I work

Great design doesn't happen in isolation. I believe the best products emerge from deep collaboration between design, engineering, and product—where each discipline challenges and elevates the others. I lead by influence, not authority, building trust through transparency and a willingness to be wrong.

I design with code. Not because designers need to be engineers, but because understanding implementation constraints leads to better, more shippable solutions. I've built production-ready React components, contributed to design systems, and pair-programmed with engineers to solve complex interaction problems.

Every design decision should be informed by data and validated with users. I partner closely with research and analytics teams to understand behavior patterns, test assumptions, and measure impact. Good intuition is valuable; validated intuition is powerful.

What I've built

At Quantum Metric, I'm designing AI-powered analytics products that help teams understand user behavior at scale. I lead cross-functional initiatives spanning multiple product teams, define design patterns for complex data visualization, and mentor designers across the organization.

At Spotify, I built the generative Ad Assistant tool from concept to global product, helping small advertisers create professional audio ads in minutes. I also designed the Podcast Monetization Review Tool, an internal platform that scaled brand safety across Spotify's entire podcast ecosystem.

At Capital One, I worked on consumer banking products, designing experiences that made complex financial concepts accessible and actionable for millions of customers.

My approach to leadership

Principal-level design isn't about doing more work—it's about multiplying impact. I focus on:

  • Defining strategy: Identifying opportunities that align user needs with business goals, then rallying cross-functional teams around a shared vision.
  • Establishing patterns: Creating reusable design systems and processes that enable teams to move faster while maintaining quality.
  • Growing people: Mentoring designers through 1:1s, design reviews, and collaborative problem-solving. The best work happens when everyone is learning.
  • Raising standards: Championing accessibility, inclusive design, and craft excellence across the organization.

What drives me

I'm energized by problems at the intersection of complexity and clarity—where deep technical or domain knowledge needs to be distilled into intuitive, accessible interfaces. Whether it's analytics dashboards, content discovery, or generative tools, I love making sophisticated systems feel effortless.

I care deeply about impact. Not just shipping features, but understanding whether they actually improve people's lives. I measure success in engagement metrics, retention rates, and user feedback—not just Dribbble likes.

I believe in building diverse, inclusive teams where everyone feels safe to take creative risks. The best ideas come from the widest range of perspectives.

Beyond design

When I'm not designing, I'm usually tinkering with side projects—experimenting with new technologies, exploring generative design, or building tools to solve my own problems. I believe the best way to understand emerging tech is to build with it.

I'm passionate about design education and have mentored dozens of early-career designers through ADPList, portfolio reviews, and career coaching.

Let's work together

I'm looking for Principal-level opportunities where I can lead design strategy, collaborate across disciplines, and ship products that make a meaningful impact.