Flexible approach.
Focused results.
I embed as a part-time Head of Design to bring clarity, craft, and momentum to product teams in their journey to success.
Trusted by startups and
industry-defining companies
Chris Wallace is a designer, founder, and technologist working with startups and genre-defining companies.
He's a 2x Emmy-nominated design leader who's led major initiatives at Roblox, Google, and Facebook. He's bootstrapped products from 0→1 to millions in revenue, built design teams from 1→25, and helped achieve 2x exits totaling $30m+.
Now he works as a fractional design leader with startups that need experienced leadership—without the overhead of a full-time executive. He delivers clear design direction, scalable systems, and high-performing teams that drive business results.
Your design team works hard but big wins are scarce.
What I often see:
- Talented designers pushing pixels, not solving problems
- Design systems creating tech debt, not speed
- Product decisions made too late, pivoting too slowly
- Design being handed roadmaps vs. informing them
- Engineering teams not given the why behind the what
Hiring a design leader often feels risky.
Not hiring one quietly costs more every quarter.
Force Multiplier
Senior design leadership.
Fractional commitment.
Compounding impact.
Force Multiplier is a flexible Head of Design engagement for companies that want the impact of a real design leader without the overhead of a full-time role.
I don't advise from the sidelines.
I show up, take ownership, and help teams make better decisions faster.
With Force Multiplier, I help teams:
- Set a clear design vision and quality bar
- Align design, product, and engineering around real priorities
- Coach and level up designers individually
- Improve systems, workflows, and decision-making
- Reduce rework, churn, and late-stage surprises
- Build confidence at the leadership table
The goal isn't more output. It's more leverage from the team you already have.
My work
Embedded for six months, I designed animation, asset publishing, and auto-setup features for Roblox, leading key user research to uncover creator pain point and workflow behaviors.
Results · Approved publishing feature specification
My team at Lift UX developed The Walking Dead Story Sync, an award-winning interactive second-screen app engaging millions of viewers with customized live content.
Results · Most Outstanding Interactive Program (Emmy Awards Nominee, 2013), Best Second Screen App (Variety Awards, 2012), Best iPad or Tablet Social TV Application (Social TV Awards, 2012)
Over nine months, I led a major redesign to establish a world-class digital collectible marketplace with Candy Digital.
Results · Improved customer acquisition, collector experience, net new features launched
At 10up, I grew and developed a remote 25-person design team that redesigned the California DMV's website during covid, bringing key virtual services online.
Results · +34M pageviews, +2M visitors, new virtual field office
Working with Eye Appeal Inc, I designed a killer brand and app. I even built a full app prototype, establishing valuable proprietary technology and design patterns.
Results · $100k saved in dev. cost, successful fundraising round
I established a creative studio that launched Woodies, a beloved entertainment IP.
Results · $2.6m revenue in six months, 4,000 new customers
Working with Plymouth Street, I helped redesign the process of applying for a high-tech work visa for immigrants seeking US-based jobs.
Results · Vastly increased task completion rate, reduced submission times
Testimonials
I love working with Chris. He has the rare mix of design instincts and technical ability that makes him incredibly effective. We tackled several major redesigns together, and each time, I was impressed by how he could spot the core user flows and craft solutions that just made sense. He thinks deeply about user experience while actually knowing how to build what he designs. This combination is gold.
Chris is an exceptionally talented and proactive team member, consistently pushing boundaries to deliver innovative, impactful solutions. His technical expertise, thoughtful approach to design, and keen user-centric mindset set him apart in the field.
His leadership was also instrumental in a complete overhaul of Candy's website and marketplace experience. Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders, Chris aligned technical objectives with our broader product vision, ensuring a seamless, intuitive user experience. The project's success is a testament to his ability to drive measurable outcomes by marrying technical proficiency with strategic design thinking.
Chris is the rare breed that possesses equal part creative force with technical artistry. He has been instrumental in alleviating many of our infrastructure's existing tech-debts while also proving to be an invaluable resource in suggesting newer, simpler ways of generating visual content. He has an incredibly sharp eye and is well versed in most any tool you'd look toward to solve a problem. And this all pales in comparison to how enjoyable he is to work with. His expertise made me a stronger designer and if your goal is to work with someone who inspires, motivates and brings it day in and day out then look no further!
Chris Wallace is a born leader who knows how to effectively create products for clients who are large companies, lead his own team to work lean building high-level sites, and teach those with whom he works to look at both the big picture and the finest details. He is quite experienced at growing companies, managing teams and projects, finding the best entrepreneurial path for each situation, and being thoroughly pragmatic every step of the way.
Chris is one of those rare individuals who is equal parts designer and businessman. He is driven, yet approachable; talented, and humble.
Chris has a unique ability to see the challenge and tackle it with what's needed to win the game. He's a rare breed of business minded designer with a real knack for getting things done right.
My Approach
Rapid assessment to identify quick wins and immediate leverage points
Deliver first quick win—like establishing a design review process that reduces rework by 40%
Build momentum with systematic improvements—design systems, workflows, and decision frameworks
Scale what works, iterate on what doesn't, and maintain velocity without adding overhead
Customized engagements often include
Design Strategy
- Resourcing feedback
- Design workflow definition
- UX metric definition
- UX research process definition
- Sensemaking
Weekly Support
- 1x Leadership sync
- 1x Product team sync
- 1x Design critique
- 1x Demo review
Async Feedback
- Slack comms
- Design quality checks
- DM support for PMs/engineers
- Urgent real-time consultation
