How We Scaled It for Design Teams cover image

How We Scaled It for Design Teams

Alex Schleifer, Former Head of Design at Airbnb — Scaling Design at Airbnb

Mar 22, 2023
Former Head of Design at Airbnb, Alex Schleifer, shares insights on scaling the design team, overcoming challenges, establishing a strong design culture, and fostering employee engagement through mentorship programs. The podcast explores Airbnb's innovative training methods, unique hiring process, and the importance of clear systems for attracting and onboarding design teams.
59:44

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Scaling design teams involves evolving team structures and functions like interface design and UX research.
  • Maintaining a balance between individual contributors and managerial positions is crucial for successful team expansion.

Deep dives

Scaling and Growing Design Teams

Growing a successful design practice involves pivotal moments like scaling design teams as showcased in the podcast. Alex Schleiper, the former head of design at Airbnb, navigated through the challenges of expanding design teams from 35 to over 600 people globally. The growth was characterized by evolving team structures, encompassing various design functions such as interface design, UX research, and even localization roles.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode