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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. Currently, he serves as the Lead Product Designer at Textline, a role he held from June 2020 until October 2021. In this position, he focused on enhancing the business text messaging application, collaborating closely with product management and engineering teams to implement user feedback and drive platform growth.1

Prior to his role at Textline, Elam worked at various notable companies, including:

  • Principal Product Designer at Exabeam, where he has been since October 2021.
  • Lead Product Designer at Sumo Logic and JASK, contributing to the design of cybersecurity applications.
  • UX/UI Designer at Blizzard Entertainment, where he was involved in projects for popular games like Diablo 3 and World of Warcraft.12

Elam has a strong background in leading design efforts, focusing on user-centered design principles and data-driven approaches to create engaging and effective products. He is also known for his work in branding and has held multiple leadership roles in the design field throughout his career.13

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 are some of Harlan Elam's most notable design projects?
How did Harlan Elam transition from Blizzard Entertainment to Textline?
What design challenges did Harlan Elam face at Textline?
How does Harlan Elam's experience at Exabeam compare to his time at Textline?
What are Harlan Elam's favorite design tools and software?
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