About Me
contactme@gabrielehernandez.com
415-225-7029
Design That Powers Teams,
Products, and Transformation
I'm Gabriel Hernandez, a design leader with 20+ years of experience building brands, leading teams, and crafting thoughtful user experiences. I’ve partnered with incredible companies like Tesla, Spotify, Levi’s, Disney, Seagate, Cisco, PayPal, Upwork, and more. I help shape the stories people see, feel, and interact with every day.
What I Do
I specialize in building scalable design systems, operational workflows, and customer experiences that connect product, brand, and business strategy. My work spans ecommerce, AI, logistics, post-purchase, and enterprise SaaS, where I help organizations simplify complexity, align teams, and create experiences that drive measurable business impact.
Leadership & Team Building
I believe high-performing design organizations are built through clarity, accountability, and operational alignment. Throughout my career, I’ve developed career ladders, performance frameworks, KPI dashboards, and cross-functional operating systems that help teams scale effectively while maintaining strong creative culture.
My leadership style combines mentorship with operational rigor. I focus on helping teams prioritize effectively, communicate clearly, and connect their work to measurable business outcomes.
Experience
For over a decade, I’ve led projects as a freelance Design Director, working with startups, agencies, and enterprise brands. I’ve helped launch products, scale design systems, and evolve brand identities for companies like Adidas Y-3, Sephora, Del Monte Foods, Levi’s, and Disney.
My work spans industries and mediums. But the common thread is always this: strong visual thinking, strategic intent, and collaborative execution.
Skills & Strengths
I bring a wide toolkit: brand identity, UX/UI, product design, design systems, animation, photography, and print. Paired with team leadership, creative operations, and mentorship. I thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments where design can drive real transformation.
Background & Education
I grew up in Southern California, where my love for design started early. As a kid, I enjoyed drawing comics with my cousins and obsessing over every detail. That passion led me to earn a BFA in Graphic Design through the joint program at the University of San Francisco and California College of the Arts.
Later, I completed the Yale School of Management’s Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders program. It allowed me to strengthen my foundation in business strategy, leadership, operations, and negotiation.
Community
Design isn’t just my job—it’s my community. I stay active through AIGA, IxDA, and by mentoring emerging designers, helping them grow creatively and professionally. I believe in paying it forward and building a better creative industry for the next generation.