Hello! I’m David Yap

Lead Product Designer

I'm a Lead Product Designer who turns complex problems into elegant, user-centered solutions. Currently leading product at Coin Market Manager and running Zensite, I've scaled YC-backed startups and built products reaching 2M+ users. I thrive in cross-functional teams, leading with creativity and empathy while driving measurable business impact. As a Figma Community Advocate, I mentor designers and champion user-centered design principles across the industry.
Started an AI startup in 2015, interested in emerging tech.

Brands I've worked with

Impact

10 Years

On leading product design for marketing,  web & mobile platforms

2M+ Users

Reached through products I've designed for YC-backed startups and beyond

20+ Projects

Shipped from concept to launch across SaaS, fintech, consumer apps and more

10+ Designers

Mentored as Figma Community Advocate , industry speaker and lead product designer

What I do

Strategy & Management

I define the right problems to solve through deep user empathy and stakeholder alignment. By combining qualitative research, user interviews, and data analysis, I uncover genuine user needs and translate them into actionable product strategies that drive measurable outcomes.

Product Design (UI/UX)

I craft elegant, user-centered solutions for web and mobile platforms. From concept to high-fidelity prototypes in Figma, I iterate rapidly with users and stakeholders to validate ideas. My designs balance desirability, usability, and technical feasibility—ensuring seamless handoffs that engineers love.

Improve & Optimise

I don't just ship—I optimize. By tracking user behavior, running usability tests, and analyzing product metrics, I continuously refine experiences to improve engagement, conversion, and satisfaction. I bring fresh perspectives from industry trends and apply them to create innovative solutions that scale.

Leadership & Team Collaboration

I lead and inspire cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional products. Whether mentoring designers, facilitating workshops, or aligning product, engineering, and business stakeholders, I foster collaboration and shared ownership. My approach empowers teams to think creatively and make confident, user-centered decisions.

The work I do,
and businesses I've helped.

Resume

What clients say
about my work

"David has been critical to the company's growth and completion of the project that we worked on."

David's mastery for his user research and user experience design have been critical to the company's growth and completion of the project that we worked on. He was very conscientious and dedicated to his work. David has a positive attitude and a desire to produce quality work that served him well, it sets a great example for the rest of the team and explains why everyone loves working with David.

Sudhan HH

SELFDRVN X MICROSOFT

David transformed our product and our brand that shaped us for who we are today.

I have worked with David in the early days of our product "Dmails", he was very helpful, always gives advice for the best UX/UI, he is a very creative person and always committed. I love to work with him again and again

M. Abdou

CEO @PRAVICA, DMAIL with 500 STARTUPS

A few more things about me:

What's your design philosophy?

I believe exceptional products are built on deep user understanding. Every design decision should be grounded in real user needs, validated through research and testing, and measured by its impact. Great design isn't just about aesthetics—it's about solving the right problems in ways that delight users and drive business results.

What's your typical design process?

My process is iterative and collaborative: I start by deeply understanding the problem through user research and stakeholder alignment. Then I explore solutions through sketches and low-fidelity prototypes, testing early and often. Once validated, I create high-fidelity designs and detailed specs for development. After launch, I track metrics and continuously optimize based on user behavior and feedback.

What tools do you use?

Figma is my primary tool for everything from wireframes to high-fidelity prototypes and design systems. I also use FigJam for collaborative workshops, various user research tools for testing and interviews, and analytics platforms to understand user behavior. As a Figma Community Advocate, I stay current with the latest design tools and methodologies.

Can you help with design systems and scaling design?

Absolutely. I've built and maintained design systems that ensure consistency and accelerate product development. I focus on creating reusable components, clear documentation, and governance processes. A good design system isn't just a UI kit—it's a shared language that empowers teams to move faster without sacrificing quality.

What types of projects do you take on?

I work on a range of projects from early-stage product strategy to mature product optimization. My sweet spot is leading product design for SaaS platforms, mobile apps, and consumer products where user research and thoughtful UX can drive significant impact. I'm equally comfortable working as an embedded team member or leading design initiatives.

What is your location & timezone?

I'm based in Southeast Asia (GMT+8), which works well for APAC, European, and North American time zones. I've successfully collaborated with teams globally through flexible scheduling and async communication. I believe sustainable working hours lead to better outcomes, so I'm thoughtful about timezone alignment for real-time collaboration.

What's your availability and working style?

I'm open to full-time roles, contract work, and consulting engagements depending on the project. I work well in collaborative environments and appreciate regular communication with stakeholders. I'm comfortable with remote, hybrid, or on-site arrangements and adapt to different team structures and processes.

Are you open to relocate?

I'm open to relocating for exciting opportunities that align with my career goals. Having recently become a father, I would need visa sponsorship for my family (wife and infant daughter) and would appreciate relocation support. I'm excited about the possibility of experiencing new cultures and working environments.

How do you stay current in the field?

I'm constantly learning through the Figma Community, design conferences, industry publications, and mentoring other designers. I experiment with new tools and techniques, follow thought leaders, and most importantly, I learn from every project and user interaction. Sharing knowledge through speaking and mentoring also keeps me sharp and connected to the community.

What do I do outside of work?

I'm a dog parent to two rescued pups who keep me active and grounded. I organised bimonthly Figma designer meetups to build community and share knowledge. I'm also passionate about hydroponics—constantly experimenting and iterating on my setup (design thinking applies everywhere!). Recently, I became a father, which has given me a whole new perspective on empathy and problem-solving.

Why I can't access some of your portfolio?

My most recent work is often covered by NDAs and isn't public. Instead of a static portfolio, I prefer to share 1-2 detailed case studies that are directly relevant to your company's challenges.

Please get in touch, and I can conduct a video call to walkthough.

Let me know if you want to discuss a potential collaboration or speaking opportunities. I’m available
for freelance or remote work.

Let’s work together