If your browser supported SVGs, you'd see my face here ^_^;

Hi! I’m Catt Small.

People are at the center of everything I do. Over the past + years, I've championed digital design at increasing scales, mentored and managed junior and senior designers, and collaborated to craft inclusive user experiences with agility and thoughtful consideration.

I work with designers and product development teams to gather insights, prioritize customer pains and opportunities, create an inspiring strategic vision, and bring ideas to life. In my spare time, I make games, write, speak publicly, and work to make the world a better place by organizing events across the tech and games industries.

Learn about my journey

I lead teams of product designers to success.

I’m a participatory, goal-oriented designer who leads with compassion and transparency. Since 2016, I have managed and mentored designers in various capacities. Through my work as both a product design leader and workplace community organizer, I have learned to create inclusive working environments that increase both team cohesion and the achievement of business goals.

Recent design projects

View full portfolio

I also teach and organize communities in tech and gaming.

Since 2012, I’ve organized community events for creative technologists. My most successful community so far has been the Game Devs of Color Expo, an annual gaming festival with a 10,000+ person audience. I currently lead their communications committee and contribute largely to the nonprofit’s culture — I wrote the original code of conduct and regularly propose as well as implement operational changes that increase both efficiency and transparency around expectations.

Writing makes my thoughts permanent.

When I release something new, you can hear about it first by subscribing to my newsletter and RSS feed or following me on LinkedIn. I always post here before Medium.

Recent blog posts

View all blog posts

Upcoming talks

  • Moving from execution to strategy as a designer

    UXDX Global Online Series – May 3, 2023

    Designers often find themselves under pressure to create beautiful outputs rather than impact and outcomes. In this talk, Catt Small, Staff Product Designer at Dropbox, will share techniques to move herself from execution to a more strategic role over 13 years of in-house work at companies spanning various industries. You'll learn to add perspective to subjects including product strategy, growth, and monetization — showing the value of design at every part of the product development process. Before you know it, you'll be your PM's best work friend!

  • SaaS Design Strategy Intensive: Stop Being a Paintbrush, Start Being a Visioner

    Rosenfeld Media – June 26, 28, & 30, 2023

    In this workshop, you’ll learn and practice techniques to become a more strategic SaaS designer by identifying and navigating political roadblocks that keep many designers stuck in the ideological playpen at SaaS companies. You’ll form alliances with designers from across the industry in the fight for better product decisions and higher-quality user experiences.

Book me for your next event

I also make games.

Since 2011, I have designed and built a variety of human-centered video games. My games have been shown in spaces around the world including IndieCade in Los Angeles, Fantastic Arcade in Austin, and the V&A Museum in London.

Most recent games

View all games

Tools for self-improvement

Over my many years in design and technology, I have created a variety of free and low-cost tutorials, printable worksheets, and more.

View resources

Want to talk?

Got feedback, looking to suggest a future writing topic, or want to invite me to speak at your organization? Send me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible!

Contact me