About me
My career has been defined by a transition from the visual craft of branding to the systemic complexity of product design at the highest possible scale. This background provides me with a specific perspective on the modern design landscape; as AI and automation commoditize production, I believe that an opinionated outlook and a high bar for taste are the most critical assets a design leader can offer. I bridge the gap between high-level product strategy and the technical infrastructure needed to execute it.
At Meta, I lead the team responsible for the Facebook Design System. My work focuses on the governance, evolution, and adoption of the systemic foundations that power the Facebook app. Leading in this environment requires a balance of organizational design and product intuition – managing the cross-functional relationships and technical constraints that come with a multi-billion user platform while maintaining a relentless focus on the quality of the user experience.
Throughout my 22-year tenure in the industry, I have consistently advocated for design as a core business driver. Beyond my work at Meta, I maintain an active writing practice where I analyze the evolving conditions of our industry and the future of design leadership. My goal is to build high-performing teams that don't just ship features, but contribute to a coherent, high-integrity product vision that stands up to the pressures of global scale.
Clients
REAL ESTATE
Adam America Real Estate
ENERGY
BP
British Gas
Innlandskraft
RETAIL & CONSUMER GOODS
Burberry
Coca-Cola
Dunhill
Kohl’s
Roberts Radio
Swarovski
HEALTHCARE
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Nightingale
Mars Petcare
FINANCIAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
MetLife
Ernst & Young
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Gjensidige
Sparebank1
CPP Investment Board
TECHNOLOGY
EVRY
Hitachi
Kenwood
Meta/Facebook
Instagram
GSMA
Cervest – Climate AI
NON-PROFITS/CHARITIES
Macmillan Cancer Support
NSPCC/Childline
WWF (Project X)
HOSPITALITY
McDonald’s
Wynn Resorts
JW Marriott
MEDIA
DAZN
UKTV
TRANSPORTATION
Land Rover
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Renault
Employment
2021 — Present
Staff Product Designer
Meta
2015 — 2021
Design Director
Method
2014 – 2015
Head of Brand Communications
Blacksheep
2014
Freelance Lead Designer
Moving Brands
2014
Freelance Lead Designer
Saffron
2014
Freelance Lead Designer
Eight Inc.
2013 — 2014
Senior Designer
Heavenly
2007 — 2013
Senior Designer
Landor Associates
2005 — 2007
Designer
Imagination Group
2004 — 2005
Designer
johnsonbanks
Recognition
EXHIBITIONS/TALKS
Trust Sources podcast, October 2020 – I was interviewed about my work leading the 'Trust 2030' project
D&AD – 'Designing with data' video interview, 2019
Food Assembly, 2019,
Barbican, London
Hitachi – The Future of Trust,
Global Center for Social Innovation, 2019, Tokyo
Speculative Futures:
The Future of Trust
London, 2018
Royal Society of British Artists – Annual Exhibition, 2014
Spin – Curated by Peter Saville, 2008
PUBLICATIONS
The Conditions – I compile and edit this weekly design newsletter
UX Collective May 2021 –
‘The Digitally Displaced'
UX Collective June 2020 –
‘We have trust issues: the decline of digital trust and how we can fix it'
Medium.com November 2017 –
‘The evolution of the media landscape’ (featured article in Medium’s Media section)
FastCo Magazine, April 2016
'The World’s Best Medication Reminder May Be All Around You'
Communicate Magazine, April 2011 – ‘Release the clichés’ article
Grafik Magazine, October 2008 – ‘Top Spin
Frame Magazine, Issue 62, May/June 2008
AWARDS
Creative Review Annual
Honourable Mention: Design, Installations and Exhibitions
2020
D&AD White pencil shortlisted – 2012
Fresh Awards
2011
Design/Applied Graphics –
Going beyond signage to provide Therapeutic Distraction
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Joshua Leigh
Contact
©2026