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Harlan Elam

Principal Product Designer

Harlan Elam is a seasoned design leader based in Austin, Texas, with over 20 years of experience in user experience (UX) and product design. He is the founder of Apocalypse Design, a company focused on crafting innovative design solutions. Elam has held various significant roles throughout his career, including Principal Product Designer at Exabeam and Lead Product Designer at Textline, where he contributed to developing secure business messaging applications.

His previous experience includes founding roles and design leadership positions at several tech companies, such as CRFT, which he helped grow from inception to acquisition, and JASK, which was later acquired by Sumo Logic. Elam also has a notable background in the gaming industry, having worked at Blizzard Entertainment, where he was involved in user experience design for major titles like Diablo 3 and World of Warcraft.

Elam's educational background includes a degree from The University of Texas at Austin, and he has a strong portfolio that showcases his ability to lead design efforts and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences across various platforms.1

Highlights

Aug 8 · linkedin

A Bias For Action

In the last month I've noticed a pattern in design leadership job descriptions: "A Bias For Action." It is because of action bias we are often compelled to act even without having the data to make confident decisions. This phrase signals a shift in expectations for product designers, especially those in leadership roles. It reflects a demand for decisiveness and the ability to move forward despite uncertainty.

In a fast-paced working environment (aren't they all?), waiting for perfect data or exhaustive user research isn't always feasible. We won't always have detailed requirements from our trusty PMs either. Instead, companies value leaders who can make informed decisions with the information at hand, iterating as they go.

For designers, this means embracing a mindset that balances action with thoughtful design principles. It’s about trusting our instincts, leveraging past experiences, and being willing to take calculated risks. By leaning into action, we not only push projects forward but also foster a culture of innovation and agility.

How are you adapting to this expectation in your own design practice? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

#productdesign #designleadership #opentowork

Jul 31 · linkedin

This is a Thank You post.

Two weeks ago, while enjoying the beach with my family, I received the news that I would not be part of the go-forward team after Exabeam's merger. It was tough to hear, but we didn't let it ruin our time away.

I reluctantly added the green banner and posted here for support and referrals. The response has been humbling. Friends and strangers alike reached out with leads and openings that I'm currently pursuing. I want to thank everyone who supported and shared my post, and those who reached out via DM or text, especially:

Royce Higbee Rocky R. Charissa Luke Matt Ward Neil Patel Sean Gibson Sean Flinn David Hampton Jonathan Spies Taz Carper Ameet Jani Robert Westwood Cat Audi Austin McDaniel Sameer Sait Bo Lora Emily Rowley Matthew Sterling Daniel Castro Taylor Clark Trevor Ray Steffanie Biedler Carolina Escobar Kat Craig Cory Webb

A massive thanks to my network for your support these last few weeks. I've updated my website and continue to network and chase leads for Staff/Principal Product Design and Manager roles. If you see this, please share or tag me in posts you think may be relevant.

#opentowork #uxjobs #productdesign #designleadership

Related Questions

What inspired Harlan Elam to start Apocalypse Design?
What are some notable projects Harlan Elam has worked on at Apocalypse Design?
How did Harlan Elam's experience at Blizzard Entertainment influence his design style?
What challenges has Harlan Elam faced in his career as a product designer?
How has Harlan Elam's work at Exabeam impacted his approach to UX design?
Harlan Elam
Harlan Elam, photo 1
Harlan Elam, photo 2
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Experience

Principal Product Designer at Exabeam (October 2021 - Present)
Lead Product Designer at Textline (June 2020 - October 2021), Founding Designer at CRFT (April 2019 - October 2020), Sumo Logic, JASK, Blizzard Entertainment, Poster Posse Inc., Volusion, SapientRazorfish, CoPilot Media LLC, Engauge (US), Legacy Inc, Austin Oaks Church, Litigation S

Education

BS in Radio, TV, Film from The University of Texas at Austin; High School Diploma from Cy-Fair High School

Location

Round Rock, Texas, United States