I design products that create value - through human insight, strategic direction, and hands-on craft.
Hello, I’m Ed Santana, a Designer with 20+ years of experience across new ventures and global programmes. Alongside hands-on work, I coach and facilitate teams to align, focus, move fast, and deliver products that are effective and human-centred.
“Ed provides deep insights, vision and technical expertise to translate end user needs into flawless user experience.”
“a brilliant designer, communicator and collaborator.”
“a great leader… he created an enjoyable collaborative environment where his teams genuinely wanted to work!”
“he set the standard internally when it comes to design strategy, process, maturity and cross-functional collaboration.”
“Ed enables and expects everyone in his team to reach their highest standards.”
I’ve had the pleasure of working with some great clients
And represented some of the world's leading agencies and consultancies
How I Can Help
I can help you bridge the gap between strategy, design, and delivery. Whether you need leadership, hands-on expertise, or structured problem-solving, I work with teams to drive meaningful outcomes.
Delivering Effective Products Through User-Centred Experience Design
I design products and services that are intuitive, effective, and grounded in real user needs. I lead the full design process in close partnership with product and engineering, from discovery and insight to design, prototyping and validation. I work with emerging technologies, including AI, to explore new possibilities and find smarter ways to deliver value fast.
Driving Rapid Innovation Through Workshops and Design Sprints
Solve big challenges, fast. I design and facilitate outcome-driven workshops and Design Sprints that align teams, validate ideas, and test solutions in days, not months. Whether you’re shaping a new service, validating a product idea, or exploring how AI could add value, these short, focused engagements create the space to move quickly and with purpose. Using structured facilitation, I create sessions that cut through the noise, unlock creativity, and turn ideas into action.
Leading Design Teams to Deliver and Grow
I partner with organisations to lead design initiatives that bring meaningful, customer focused products and services to life. I help empowered teams set a clear direction, take the work from early thinking through to launch and iteration, and build the confidence to deliver at pace. Alongside the work, I focus on developing the team hiring and onboarding, shaping rituals, and building a healthy design culture in close partnership with senior leaders.
Coaching and Enabling Design Leaders
I support design and product leaders to grow their confidence and impact. Through coaching, reflection, and leadership workshops, I help them get clear on where they’re headed, how they show up, and what their teams need from them. The work often involves mapping the landscape, setting direction, and building a roadmap for change, grounded in self-inquiry, awareness, and practical leadership.
What's it like to work with me?
Relationships are fundamental to the way i work. Here are some thoughts shared by people i've had the pleasure of working with. For more perspectives have a look at my LinkedIn.
The engaging activities allowed us to get into the right headspace and as a group pinpoint the best place to start prototyping and testing a new Next Gen chat bot experience for our customers.
Your facilitation and design skills are phenomenal, I learnt a lot and hope to carry these learnings into my own workshops. Well done!!"
Whether it’s exploring problems, usability studies, ideation, sketching, lofi and hifi prototypes, storytelling, presentations, the list goes on but you get the point. Ed is a solid, highly recommended Product professional that would make a great addition to any product team."
Design, Strategy, and Team Leadership
Drawing from 19 years experience, I help teams, from early stage startups to global organisations, turn ideas into meaningful, user centred solutions. My expertise spans, leadership, strategy, hands-on service & product design, helping teams create seamless, high impact experiences that align with both user needs and business goals. In an era where AI is reshaping how we build, operate and grow, I work with teams and businesses to harness their potential and stay adaptable in a fast moving landscape.
Selected Case Studies
Below are a few examples of my work and process.
To get an idea of how I can help, take a look at 'My Services', 'FAQs' or 'Get in Touch'. I’m always happy to chat, be it over coffee in person or on a call.
Ready to Chat?
Book some time with me to understand:
• Your product, service, or design challenges
• What you need to move forward
• Whether I’m the right fit to help
Pick a time that works, and let’s talk!
FAQs
Here are some common questions about my design leadership and consulting services.
I bridge product strategy, UX, and hands-on product design to help teams build, launch, and scale digital products. Whether refining an early concept, improving an existing experience, or leading a full-service design process, I focus on clarity, usability, and business impact.
Yes. For early-stage teams, I often own the entire design process, from user research and product definition through to UX, UI, and prototyping. While I bring strong UI skills, my focus is on creating intuitive, validated experiences that drive engagement and business success.
I work across both strategic leadership and hands-on execution. I can operate at a high level, shaping vision, aligning stakeholders, and structuring teams, or at the ground level, designing and delivering products directly. This flexibility means I adapt to what’s most valuable at any stage of growth.
I don’t just design interfaces, I design with intent. My work is grounded in UX research, rapid prototyping, and continuous validation, ensuring we make informed, data-backed decisions. By integrating design thinking, product strategy, and practical delivery, I help teams move fast without compromising quality.
I offer product design, UX, and design leadership, adapting to what your team needs, whether that’s hands-on design at squad level, shaping strategy, or guiding your design function. I also run workshops and sprints to help teams solve complex challenges, align on strategy, and rapidly prototype ideas.
The best way to start is with a quick conversation. Whether you need end-to-end product design, UX expertise, or strategic input, we can discuss your challenges, goals, and how I can help.