Billy Sweeney
—Designer
Hello there, I’m a
designer who cares
about making
beautiful things that
help people.
I’m a product designer with 15 years of experience across brand and product, at companies large and small. I’m not actively looking for a new role.
I take pride in my craft, and love mentoring earlier career designers. I develop cross functional partnerships, and thrive in complex, ambiguous environments.
I’m a systems thinker with a high bar for quality. From process to pixels, I’ll collaborate with you, learn from you, and help make something we’re proud of.
I bring end-to-end product acumen, from vision and strategy to discovery and delivery. I’ll partner closely with you to generate the highest impact possible.
I’m {highly_technical} and while (I’m ≠ engineer) I know my way /around & can speak “fluently” with you; I built (this.site) from scratch + (this.one) && (this.too).
Useful
Considered
Beautiful
Well made
These are my core design values, and I strive to imbue them in all of the work I do. I’ve always been making things and inventing ways to improve my surroundings. Solving a tangible need with a beautiful solution is a practice I love and resides in my core. Collaborating with a team to create a far better outcome than otherwise possible alone gives me energy. I like thinking big, working fast, yet carefully, holistically, long-term, sustainably, cross-functionally, zooming out on company strategy, and zooming in on details. I’m always improving, growing, and executing to the highest standard possible. All while achieving a larger mission, connecting my work to something deeper, tethered to improving the world, leaving it better than when I began.
I studied visual communication design, got my start in branding, marketing, and web design, then evolved to specialize in product design. Leveraging my visual design foundation and deep user empathy, I’ve established myself as a well rounded design leader who creates human-centered platforms with cohesive throughlines at every touchpoint: from vision and strategy, to brand awareness and marketing, to product development and delightful micro interactions. Throughout my 15 years of professional experience, I’ve worked freelance, in-house, at startups, and at established public companies, developing a wide range of multi-disciplinary skills in diverse contexts. My insatiable curiosity, high craft, and adaptability, enable me to generate impact in our ever-changing environment.
Figma
Product Designer
Working on design systems products.
Cocoon
Director of Design
I led and executed design across product and brand, built a team from the ground up, significantly increased conversion, and directed a company rebrand, as we worked to build the leave management platform our loved ones deserve.
Dropbox
Staff Product Designer
I led the design of a complete web product redesign, several emerging zero to one products, as well as global navigation systems and information architecture for the company’s multi-product strategy.
Product Designer
I worked on Marketplace, leading design for the browse feed, buyer platform, vehicles category, and design systems, enabling dozens of teams to ship with consistency and performance to hundreds of millions of users.
Thread
Head of Design
I was brought on to both lead and individually execute design across all company initiatives as we built a deeply personalized online shopping product which blended a team of human stylists with machine learning.
Squarespace
Design Lead
As an early design hire, I wore many hats across brand and product design during my tenure, helping to redefine web publishing and establish the company into household name.
Freelance
Designer and Director
I’ve been commissioned to create custom websites, apps, and identity systems for select clients including National Geographic photographers, Academy award-winning film-makers, and global entrepreneurs.
“Truly one of the best design collaborators I’ve ever worked with.”
Grace Erickson Director of Marketing
“Billy has an exceedingly rare blend of high craft and superb strategic and systems thinking.”
Seth Fields Senior UX Program Manager
“Billy exemplifies inspirational leadership and unwavering compassion, setting a remarkable standard for craftsmanship.”
Dionne Ong Product Designer
“Billy is an incredible leader, mentor, and human—a visionary and craftsperson with care for people.”
Kait Smith Lowden Director of Product Design
“Billy’s attention to detail and work ethic are insanely diligent. He understands the capabilities and limitations of designing for the web in a way I’m not sure I’ve seen in many others.”
Ryan Quintal Staff Product Designer
“Billy is an incredibly thoughtful, meticulous, and craft-oriented designer who blew us away with his ability to think big picture and come up with creative solutions on the spot.”
Bec Lai Staff Product Designer
With 15 years of experience across brand and product design, at companies large and small, I’ve developed a skillset with breadth and depth. I’m currently working on design systems products at Figma, was previously the Director of Design at Cocoon, a Staff Product Designer at Dropbox, a Product Designer at Facebook, the Head of Design at Thread, a Design Lead at Squarespace, a freelance designer and director commissioned by a variety of clients, and a close collaborator to many incredible people across multiple disciplines. I’m a classically trained designer, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design. I live in Seattle with my wife and son, spending time outside as often as possible.
Accolades
Art Directors Club (ADC)
93rd Annual Awards, Interactive, Silver, 2014
Project: Squarespace.com “Create Your Own Space”
View Award
The Webby Awards
21st Annual Awards, Web Services & Applications, 2017
Project: Squarespace
View Award
The Webby Awards
20th Annual Awards, Web Services & Applications, 2016
Project: Squarespace
View Award
The Webby Awards
18th Annual Awards, Web Services & Applications, 2014
Project: Squarespace
View Award
The Webby Awards
18th Annual Awards, Best Visual Design - Aesthetic, 2014
Project: Squarespace.com
View Award
The Webby Awards
18th Annual Awards, Best Home/Welcome Page, 2014
Project: Squarespace.com
View Award
The Webby Awards
17th Annual Awards, Best Home/Welcome Page, 2013
Project: Squarespace.com
View Award
Communication Arts
Interactive Annual 20, Websites/Microsites, 2014
Project: Squarespace.com “Create Your Own Space”
View Award
Communication Arts
Webpick of the Day, 3 February 2014
Project: BillySweeney.com
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AWWWARDS
Site of the Day, 23 February 2014
Project: The Official Squarespace Blog
View Award
AWWWARDS
Site of the Day, 4 July 2013
Project: Squarespace.com “Create Your Own Space”
View Award
AWWWARDS
Site of the Day, 12 September 2012
Project: Squarespace.com
View Award
Favourite Website Awards (FWA)
Site of the Day, 5 August 2013
Project: Squarespace.com “Create Your Own Space”
View Award
Site Inspire
Featured Website, April 2016
Project: Squarespace Circle
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Site Inspire
Featured Website, January 2014
Project: The Official Squarespace Blog
View Award
Site Inspire
Featured Website, November 2013
Project: Squarespace.com — Mobile Apps
View Award
Press
InVision
Inside Design: Squarespace
23 January 2017
View Article
The Dots UK
The Inside Scoop on The New Squarespace Circle Branding
18 November 2016
View Article
Interface Lovers
Billy Sweeney
13 October 2016
View Article
HOW
The Rules of Exposure: Leveraging Photography As a Self-Promotion Tool
19 September 2016
View Article
Design Milk
Squarespace Circle + Branding Behind-the-Scenes
29 August 2016
View Article
Colophon
Design and code by Billy Sweeney
Typeset in Roobert Medium by Displaay Type Foundry
© 2023
