Scaling Design Operations
Improved workflow efficiency by 60% and team productivity by 50% through onboarding systems, design operations, and workflow standardization.
Sound United (nOW Harman)
As Design Manager at Sound United, I led the transformation of a rapidly growing creative team during a period of expansion. With new hires joining and inconsistent workflows impacting delivery, I implemented structured onboarding, a design system, and operational improvements to stabilize execution and improve creative output.
50%Productivity improvement
30%Faster asset retrieval
Focus Areas
- Onboarding & training systems
- Design system implementation
- File organization & DAM structure
- Workflow tracking & operational clarity
Systems I Built
1. Onboarding & Team Enablement
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Built structured onboarding program for new designers and video editor
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Created documentation for workflows, naming conventions, and tools
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Developed recorded training modules for self-paced learning
- Partnered with PM/Traffic to improve project visibility and ramp-up
2. Design System Implementation
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Standardized components and design workflows
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Reduced inconsistencies across creative outputs
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Improved production efficiency and collaboration
- Increased workflow efficiency by 60%
3. File Organization & DAM System
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Rebuilt folder structure with clear hierarchy and naming conventions
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Implemented SharePoint-based DAM system for asset management
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Centralized working files + final deliverables
- Reduced asset retrieval time by 30%
4. Workflow Tracking & Operations
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Implemented WorkFront for project tracking and capacity visibility
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Improved workload planning and delivery transparency
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Reduced back-and-forth between design and PM teams
- Strengthened operational predictability across projects
Before vs After: File System
Before
Files were organized by individual projects, making it difficult to locate past work and compare iterations. This slowed collaboration and created inconsistencies across teams.
After
Files were reorganized by type, campaign, and year, creating a centralized structure that improved accessibility, consistency, and cross-team collaboration.
Results
- Improved workflow efficiency by 60%
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Increased team productivity by 50%
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Reduced asset retrieval time by 30%
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Improved delivery speed across marketing assets
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Strengthened brand consistency across outputs
- Improved team morale and retention during scaling period
Outcome
By combining onboarding systems, design operations, and structured asset management, I created a scalable foundation that allowed a rapidly growing creative team to operate with clarity, speed, and consistency.