Hello 👋, I’m Patrycja.
Cats, music, and pinball enthusiast.
Design leader & manager, consultant, experienced designer, lecturer, mentor, and speaker.
I'm a dedicated Design Leader with over 20 years of experience in designing products and building teams. I've witnessed the digital revolution through the designer’s eye from the beginning. That gives me quite a lot of context to connect the dots in creative ways. I'm still fascinated by how design challenges, tools, and processes are changing.
My expertise includes the ability to predict trends and creatively navigate technology constraints. I excel in setting and communicating a clear vision, fostering a collaborative work environment, and motivating my team members to deliver high-quality work. I'm skilled at leading through change in high-growth environments and have successfully managed teams of 10+ top-tier design and engineering specialists while also supervising 30+ product designers across remote locations.
Testimonials
-
"Patrycja is the role model for anyone on a Director or above role with a vision who wants to efficiently execute it. She's got it all. I had a chance to observe her being a leader of change, taking design at Brainly to the next level with confidence and knowing what she wants it to be. […] I also know that she's got a great product mindset with business acumen which makes her the best partner in every stage of strategy planning. She can notice any inconsistency in business plans and walk you through it with vast knowledge and research to build a bulletproof pitch. She will ask questions that will make your business grow stronger. She most certainly will draw the best talent there is. And she is probably the most hardworking person I have ever known."
Bozena Podgórni
Director at Brainly
(Bozena worked with me on the same team) -
"Patrycja is a very experienced design leader who has a clear view on processes, design vision as well as building and leading a team. Patrycja leads a design team with confidence, while staying in touch continuously with other functions; a requirement for any design leader to be successful. Surely I wholeheartedly recommend Patrycja as a Design Director in any organization that takes design seriously."
Rogier van der Heide
Former Chief Design Officer at Philips, Sonova AG, Zumtobel Group,
McKinsey & Co Senior Advisor
(Rogier was my mentor) -
"[...] Regardless of the moment in which our company was - small startup or fast growing scale-up, Patrycja was strategically planning the growth of the design organization, designing team structures and hiring talented people. Even without an official director position, she was leading with confidence other design managers and high performing teams of more than 30 specialists under them. She was clearly communicating vision and the direction, often navigating in a quickly changing environment. [...] If you are looking for a strong design leader, director or head of design, who will help you to build an exceptional design team, Patrycja is the one you are looking for."
Irena Walania
VP, Engineering at Brainly
(Irena worked with me but on different teams) -
"Patrycja is a profesional, who executes on her bold vision with the highest quality. And a ton of fun to work with! I've worked with Patrycja for years building and implementing brand strategies. [...] In her work, Patrycja focuses on the end user, supporting her strategic decisions with thorough research and empathy in design, aiming at truly getting into the user's shoes and always looking to make them gasp in a sense of wonder when they discover products she's working on. [...] She brings in great, creative energy to the room and drives motivation among others. While working with her, you get a sense of creating something exceptional. Her passion for achieving the highest quality is contagious and will likely spread to your whole team if you are lucky enough to work with her."
Kuba Piwnik
Director, Communications at Brainly
(Kuba worked with me on the same team) -
”Patrycja is truly a top talent in the design leadership space. She draws from a wealth of knowledge and experience as a designer and as a leader. Any team could consider themselves lucky to have her.”
Ole Lutjens
VP, Product Design at Udemy, ex-VP, Product Design at Disney+ and Hulu
(Ole was my mentor) -
"[...] Patrycja demonstrated remarkable innovation, grounded in thorough research and a deep understanding of user needs. Her support was crucial at many strategic points, greatly facilitating the work of our entire product team. [...] She is characterized by a clear vision and objectives, which she conveyed in a lucid manner, persuasively presenting her plans and actions aimed at supporting company-wide goals to the leadership. Moreover, Patrycja is an excellent listener who is not afraid to express her opinions and provide feedback in an empathetic and factual manner. [...] Her combination of strategic insight and charismatic leadership makes her an invaluable asset in any executive role. I wholeheartedly endorse Patrycja for a leadership position in design and strategic management."
Agnieszka Stanisławska
Senior Product Manager / PM Ops at Brainly
(Agnieszka worked with me, but on a different teams) -
"[...] Patrycja has an exceptional strategic mindset and a keen sense of digital innovation. [...] She has a natural curiosity and passion for exploring emerging technologies and design trends. Her innovative spirit drives her to find creative solutions and leverage the latest digital tools and platforms to enhance products and services. [...] Patrycja isn't just a charismatic leader, an expert, or a mentor. To me, she's an awe-inspiring woman and my superhero with the transformative power to shape the IT world."
Anna Piosik
CX Consultant & Strategist | Service Designer | Business Trainer | Coach ICF | Design Thinking Facilitator
(Anna reported directly to me) -
"I've had the distinct pleasure of working directly under Patrycja's leadership at Brainly, and I can confidently state that she is the best manager I've ever had. [...] In short, Patrycja is a phenomenal manager, a passionate leader, and an expert in her field. Her commitment to her team and the wider design industry is truly inspiring. I fully back her and I highly recommend her for any leading role she takes on."
Michal Skowronek
UI Engineering Lead at Brainly | Frontend Solutions Architect | JavaScript React ⚛ CSS Node | AWS Design Systems
(Michał reported directly to me) -
“To this day, I cannot comprehend how one person can manage a design team, build a design system and introduce innovations that are in line with the company's strategy and mission in such a holistic way. [...] Undoubtedly, she is a role model for me, whether we are talking about running spontaneous workshops, introducing new branding, or being one of the main speakers at international conferences. Patrycja's knowledge and skills go hand in hand with empathy and constant self-development. I really appreciate that I was able to work with her and I miss it very much.”
Kay Kłos
Art Director at EF Education First | Global Creative Studio
(Kay reported directly to me) -
"Patrycja is a rock star! :) I have the pleasure of working with her at DesignCoE at Brainly, and I can confidently say that from day one, she has been a role model for me when it comes to leadership qualities, incredible creativity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. [...] I was always impressed by her ability to challenge the status quo to strive for better. Her unique perspective on things and willingness to question established processes have been invaluable to our Team and the whole Design Community. I can't tell you how often her insights have taken our work to a whole new level. [...]"
Anna Wojcieszczak
DesignOps & Service Design | UX PgM @ Google | DoA Poland co-lead | MBA
(Anna worked with me on the same team) -
"Patrycja's passion for the craft of design is unparalleled. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and it has inspired her team to reach new heights of creativity and innovation. Patrycja's unwavering commitment to quality has elevated the standard of our organization’s design work, resulting in consistently outstanding outcomes. [...] Patrycja's no-nonsense style of management sets her apart as a leader. She has a unique ability to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters. Her straightforward approach and clear communication style create a productive and efficient work environment. [...]"
Laura Mata García, Ph.D.
UX Research Leader | Cross-cultural Research Expert | Driving Customer-Centric Product Success
(Laura worked with me on the same team) -
"[...] Patrycja is an exceptional leader who possesses strategic thinking skills and a keen ability to see the bigger picture. One of the notable achievements we worked on together was increasing the awareness of UX Motion at Brainly. With Patrycja’s outstanding guidance, we successfully communicated about it at the C-level and throughout the organization. The results were highly successful and led us to other successful projects. Thanks to Patrycja’s expertise and leadership. [...] She is a rockstar!"
Giga Khurtsilava
Lead UX Motion Designer at Brainly
(Giga reported directly to me) -
"[...] In my professional journey as a designer, I have never felt more cared for and supported than under Patrycja's leadership. [...] She ensured that not only did we deliver the essential aspects of an MVP, but also crafted a MLP (minimum lovable product) that captured hearts. I wholeheartedly recommend Patrycja to any company looking to cultivate a thriving design culture and elevate their products to new heights. She is a true design leader who brings out the best in her team and leaves a tangible impact. Working with her has been an invaluable experience that I will cherish forever."
Aday Hernández
Interaction Designer. MSc in UX Design.
(Aday was indirectly reporting to me) -
"Based on my many years business relationship with Patrycja I can honestly say that she is super committed and passionate to the job she is doing. Always delivering top quality whatever she is doing, caring about the poeple and quality standards. True Design lover with passion of working with people. Great coworker, friend, Manager and Designer!"
Maciej Nowak
Lead IxD Product Designer at Brainly | Founder at Believy
(Maciej reported directly to me) -
"During our time collaborating at Brainly, I was truly impressed by Patycia's leadership skills. She has a remarkable ability to foster a highly engaged and motivated team. Patycia effortlessly brought together individuals who fully believed in their shared vision. Moreover, the collaborative environment she cultivated was filled with true happiness and enthusiasm for working together. It was a pleasure to see such a dynamic and driven group under her guidance."
Grzegorz Kucma
Director of Product, Mobile App Experience at Brainly
(Grzegorz worked with me but on different teams) -
"Patricia is the greatest manager I have ever had a pleasure of working with. She is incredibly supportive, allows you to spread your wings, and gives you endless opportunities for growth. She is incredibly committed and her head is bursting with excellent ideas. The initiatives she has taken have always been well thought out, refined, based on in-depth research and in line with the organization's goals. She is endlessly creative, insightful and passionate. And she is irreplaceable in breaking the awkward silence. It’s without hesitation that I recommend Patrycja. I'll be forever grateful to have been lucky enough to work with her."
Katarzyna Tobis
Senior Software Engineer (Accessibility) at Brainly
(Katarzyna was reporting directly (and later on indirectly) to me) -
"[...] Her exceptional leadership skills have created a supportive and empowering environment, encouraging us to explore new possibilities and push boundaries. Patrycja manages the complexities of overseeing a diverse team with grace and skill, acting as a vital link between the design team and the broader company. Her deep understanding of the business and our users' needs enables her to provide insightful guidance and ensure impactful solutions. [...] Patrycja's exceptional decision-making process, attention to detail, personalized approach, and dedication to our team's goals have made a lasting impact."
Olga Wysopal
Product Designer at Brainly
(Olga was reporting directly (and later on indirectly) to me) -
"[...] Patrycja has a knack for explaining complex concepts and ensuring clarity. She goes the extra mile to make sure that her team fully understands the tasks at hand. She possesses a broad perspective and encourages the team to think beyond the immediate scope. This broader outlook helps us tackle challenges from different angles, resulting in innovative solutions. Additionally, Patrycja is an outstanding problem solver. Her expertise and guidance have been instrumental in overcoming numerous challenges. [...] Any organization would be fortunate to have her as part of their management team."
Rafał Helak
Product Designer at Future Mind / Prev. Design System at Brainly
(Rafal was reporting directly to me) -
“Can I recommend working with Patrycja? Of course! Not only because she is a really talented UI designer with wonderful sense of aesthetics, but also because she is really engaged in work and makes her best effort to achieve great results. Her communication was always smooth, nice and effective. Working with her on several bigger projects in Onet.pl was a big pleasure! ”
Joanna Jazdzynska-Motak
UX Team Manager at Grupa Onet.pl
(Joanna worked with me but on different teams) -
"Patrycja is an outstanding designer, with a unique sense of taste, fresh look, quality and professional line. I really liked working with her, each designing a website with her was an effective pleasure. I have great memories of our cooperation and I highly recommend it."
Monika Stygar
Business Developement Manager at Konsylium24.pl
(Monika was Senior to me, but didn’t manage her directly) -
"I had the luck to work with Patrycja in Onet.pl. Together we had a chance to create a few content services for the largest web portal in Poland. I remember this cooperation as very positive. Patrycja is a very skilled and talented UI Designer. She has a very high esthetics level. Collaboration with her was smooth and extremely productive. Moreover, she is a very positive and smiling person at work, it gives another argument to work with her. I am more than happy to recommend Patrycja."
Michał Kokocinski
UX Lead (Design) at Ocado Technology
(Michal worked with me but on different teams)
Selected talks & panels
Picture this: I used to be super shy and about as skilled at public speaking as a penguin trying to do the salsa. But hey, guess what? I managed to overcome my fears and make it to the point of speaking at Figma Schema 2023 and getting the nomination for the Best Talk of the year in Design System Awards by zero-height. Below some of my talks and panels I participated along the years.
Figma Schema 2022
Best Talk of The Year Winner at Design System Awards 2023 🏆