Hello!
I’m an experienced creative leader and product designer.
My passion is driven by solving complex problems with simple and intuitive experiences across platforms.
I excel in cross-functional spaces and enjoy collaborating with product designers, content strategists, engineers, researchers, and product managers to bring projects from concept to reality.
Grubhub
Design Systems & Illustration Manager
September 2022 - June 2023
Developed and implemented a strategic design team roadmap that aligned with business objectives, effectively driving growth and success.
Mentored and guided a multidisciplinary design team, fostering their professional development and promoting collaboration within the organization.
Successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams, including product, engineering, branding, and organizational leaders, to deliver projects on time and meet objectives.
Evaluated and optimized design systems and illustration libraries, ensuring high-quality output and consistency throughout the organization.
Effectively communicated and aligned stakeholders through the administration of design systems and illustration strategy, promoting clarity and cohesion.
Streamlined cross-team collaboration and alignment through the development of an improved design system and illustration workflow.
LevelUp
Visual / Product Designer
June 2016 - August 2019
Collaborated with agency restaurant clients to develop and implement custom-branded apps, resulting in increased customer acquisition, orders, and loyalty.Created micro animations that went on to be used in branded apps.
Designed impactful micro animations that were incorporated into branded apps.
Identified and proposed innovative app features aligned with the agency's strategic goals.
Utilized HTML and CSS to create engaging client-branded email marketing campaigns.
Developed visually appealing physical marketing materials for successful app store launches.
Grubhub
Visual / Product Design Manager
August 2019 - September 2022
Led a team in designing and developing mobile apps for agency clients, contributing to the achievement of key company goals.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including product, engineering, and business leaders, to ensure seamless project execution.
Managed and mentored a multidisciplinary design team, fostering their growth within the organization.
Implemented an agency design team workflow that improved collaboration and alignment with internal and external stakeholders.
Uber
Communications Designer
October 2014 - April 2015
Managed and completed daily design requests from multiple Uber satellite locations.
Coordinated and enforced Uber branding guidelines across all satellite locations.
Created visually striking top-down vehicle views to support promotional initiatives.
Experience
Recommendations
I had the privilege of working alongside Townsend for seven years, both at LevelUp and Grubhub, where he was initially a colleague and later a direct report.
Townsend's expertise extends beyond his design skills and deep understanding of design principles. He is also a thoughtful and empathetic leader who genuinely cares about his team and their success.
Townsend collaborated with over 100 restaurant brands during our time together, seamlessly translating their unique brand identities into cohesive digital experiences. He also cultivated strong relationships with restaurant stakeholders, ensuring their needs and expectations were met. He consistently demonstrated a proactive approach to process improvement. He regularly evaluated existing workflows, identifying areas for optimization and streamlining. His efforts resulted in comprehensive documentation and the implementation of new processes that improved team efficiency.
Following our acquisition by Grubhub, Townsend embraced an expanded management role focusing on design systems—his willingness to tackle any challenge or project instilled confidence throughout the team. As a leader, he fostered an open and supportive environment where team members felt comfortable providing feedback, seeking guidance, and sharing ideas.
- Sloane Thomson (Design Director)
I was lucky enough to work with Townsend more than once in my career. The most recent time, he was my direct manager. Townsend is a terrific design leader, manager, collaborator, and communicator. He brings energy and drives forward momentum. He is thoughtful and respectful as a people manager – while also being a talented designer who can serve in a mentorship space when required.
I am also impressed by how much Townsend lifts up his team. He is always making sure to lift everyone up and as an individual contributor, it meant a lot to me to feel so supported.
- Aaron Ceccini-Butler (Systems Designer)
I’ve had the absolute pleasure of working with Townsend for over 5 years. Through changes in team structures and business objectives, I’ve fortunately always been able to work with him; as an individual contributor product designer to most recently leading a team of designers. I consider Townsend a partner to work with. We collaborate super well and most importantly have a lot of fun together due to a deep mutual respect for each other.
Townsend puts in the time and effort to understand people, their needs, and really thinks about how teams can work together to develop the best design, product, or process. I’ve seen Townsend grow into a great manager where he’s taken on a chaotic team to create clarity, process, and goals. Townsend listens to the needs of stakeholders and elegantly works with them to craft solutions to ensure his team is executing on business objectives.
In our collaboration on a design systems team, he was able to break down a lot of company “noise” to prioritize effectively for his team and the organization. Above all, I know that I can count on Townsend to dive into any task to come up with a solution - and have fun along the way.
- Nick Monteforte (Product Manager)
I had the pleasure of working with Townsend at LevelUp/Grubhub for almost six years. His professionalism and dedication were unmatched and working with him was a true joy. He's kind and funny, yet focused and professional.
My team adored working with him, and I know that his crew respected him as a leader. Townsend stuck to timelines, communicated efficiently, and excelled in front of clients. His designs were always on point, and he was a huge reason why we had so many successful app launches over the years.
- Caitlin Garland (Technical Brand Manager)
I was extremely lucky to have Townsend as my design manager at Grubhub. His leadership and people skills were an inspiration for the team and others around it.
His passionate, upbeat, and enthusiastic spirit was contagious. He made everyone in the room feel included and welcome in the conversation. That leadership quality is hard to come by and lucky to have.
His mentorship abilities help designers exceed inside and outside of work. As a manager, he was very attentive and helpful. He was always ready for the next set of challenges and brought such a positive attitude towards it.
- Corliss Lau (Visual Designer)
I am incredibly fortunate to have reported directly to Townsend during our time at Grubhub. Townsend is an amazing Design Leader who provides clear direction, exceptional leadership, and immense empathy in every interaction I've had with him.
When faced with complex projects, I could always rely on Townsend to light the path forward and offer valuable perspectives. His immense design expertise, paired with his positive outlook, made our discussions both enjoyable and highly productive. His ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment, where the contributions of every team member were valued, created an atmosphere I often looked forward to.
Townsend's mentorship has been instrumental in my own career development. I firmly believe that any team would be truly lucky to have Townsend in their corner.
- Sarah Tram (Product Designer)
I had the privilege of working closely with Townsend for a solid 7 years at LevelUp and Grubhub, and I can assure you, that he is an exceptional leader. Townsend's leadership skills are truly admirable, especially when it comes to creating a positive and collaborative work environment. He has a remarkable sense of empathy that helps him build strong partnerships across departments, promoting genuine teamwork and delivering significant impact to his projects and workstreams.
- Geoffrey Brailsford (Senior Design Manager)
Design Tools Used
Figma
asana
Invision
Adobe CS
Zeplin
Contact Me
townsendcln@gmail.com
(617) 816-1611