Daniela Steinsapir

Principal, Design and Research @ Independent Pratice

Los Angeles (UTC-7) 15+ yrs in design

About

Coaching emerging creative talent is one of my passions. I have hired, managed, and promoted designers, sat on the other side of the portfolio review, and built the teams you are trying to join, and mentoring the people coming up behind me has always been the part I enjoy most. I work with UX, product, and brand designers, researchers, product managers, strategists, and marketing professionals: new graduates, international students navigating an unfamiliar job market, and people several years in who want to grow on their own terms. Managers come and go, feedback is scarce, and too many talented people are left to figure out their growth alone.

How I can help

Creative Confidence, Portfolio Review, Navigating the Workplace, Owning Your Career and Interview Preparation.

Ask me about

IC to manager

Agency to in-house

Pivot into design

Returning from a break

First or only designer

A reorg

Getting passed over

Influence without authority

Stakeholder standoffs

Presenting to execs

Negotiating comp

Imposter syndrome

First design hires

Craft to strategy

Growing into leadership

Expertise

Selected work

Sessions

Creative Confidence and Portfolio review - Interview prep$150
60 min
I can help you get ready for the interview. Mock interviews and portfolio walkthroughs with someone who has sat on the hiring side. We practice your stories, prepare for the hard questions, and get you ready for every round, from the recruiter call to the final panel.
Creative Confidence and Portfolio review / Navigating the WorkplaceFree
30 min
Three areas most people want help with. We usually touch all three, in whatever order fits where you are. Creative Confidence and Portfolio Most emerging creative professionals have the skills. What they're missing is the belief that their perspective belongs in the room, and a portfolio that proves it. I can help you tell the story of your work. A portfolio is an argument: I understand problems, I make good decisions, I deliver. We rebuild your case studies so the thinking behind the work comes through. Navigating the Workplace Org dynamics are real. Politics are real. The jump between a startup and a large organization is a real adjustment. None of it has to derail you. Own Your Career Your manager will change. The team will restructure. Your career cannot be what waits for those things to stop happening.

English, Spanish

Hop is free to join, by Design Buddies. Already in? Log in