Hey! I'm Dakota
Case studies
I led the design of an AI-powered feedback experience that increased user's confidence and reduced support tickets.
Ai & LLMs
iOS Native
End to end
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I led the design of an AI-powered feedback experience that increased user's confidence and reduced support tickets.
Growth design
iOS Native
end to end
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Fintech
Onboarding
Web app
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I redesigned VIZIO's checkout to increase order value and reduce incomplete orders.
e-commerce
Growth design
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Pardon the talking about myself, but…
Here’s what sets me apart
Self starter
I started designing at 14, skipped formal design school, pursued mentorship, and built a micro web agency at 18. I'm addicted to growing, learning, and pushing myself.
Coding chops
I started as a web developer. This now allows me to think in systems, navigate code, and partner well alongside Engineering.
HTML
CSS
Swift
React
Extreme ownership
I care deeply about projects I work on. I proactively look to improve your product and turn your company into an industry leader.
Visual and functional
I sweat every detail, but always zoom out to think strategically. It's important balance business goals with meticulous design.
About
Early life
Getting into design
My first design was a website for my mom's bakery when I was 14. After learning the basics, lots of youtube tutorials, and trail and error, I completed her website. This sparked my love for using design to solve real problems.
Since then, I haven't stop designing and building. I don't have formal schooling, but I've been fortunate to have many mentors guide me along the way.
Now
I live in Huntington beach, CA.
I’m married to my high school sweet heart.
We just had our first daughter, her name is Winslow.
In my free time I spend time with my family, surf, skate and train Jiu Jitsu.
Me
Family
🛹
🏄♂️
Some lovely words from people I’ve had the pleasure to work with
Absolute machine – a product manager’s dream. I am thankful to have him for our projects. He’s also just a pleasure to work with. If he’s available, hire him.
Jakeh Bradley
Former PM @ Cash app
Dakota is a great executor. He takes projects from ideation to completion in the mist of ambiguity. He takes feedback extremely well and always looking to up-level himself.
Soren Iverson
Founder @ Iverson
Play endorsement
Dakota proposes smart solutions, listens to feedback, and pushes back when needed. He's done amazing work and it's been so helpful having him on the team.
Joe Fernandez
Founder @ allUP
Play endorsement
Dakota goes above & beyond expectations to solve both user and business problems. He's also so proactive, always taking initiative to suggest solutions and improvements.
Justin Unger
CEO @ Likewise
Dakota’s the kind of designer everyone hopes to have on their team. An eye for detail, solid business instincts, and creates thoughtful designs. Plus, he’s just a great person to work with. Always brings a good energy to the team.
Jeffrey Ham
Senior Designer @ Finsync
Dakota presents work extremely well and he’s increased the overall handoff quality of our team. The amount of effort he puts into his craft is impressive to see. Plus he's just easy to work with and always has a great attitude.
Weston Westenborg
Co-founder @ allUP
Play endorsement
My experience
Product Designer
allUP
2023 ~ Current
My current full time job is at allUP, where I am helping build a better professional social network. I am 1 of 2 designers on the team, and often work 1-on-1 with our Co-founders to improve our product and create new features.
My contributions have reduced churn, increased user activation, and raise funding to keep growing.
ios
web app
consumer
Product Designer
Iverson
2025 (contract)
I've had the pleasure of working with Soren and his team on a number of projects. This includes product, web design, and web development work. Clients included Centrical, Rogo, and Factory.
Product Design
web development
Design system
Product Designer
Finsync
2022 ~ 2023
Finsync provides cashflow management tools and services for 30,000+ small businesses across America. I solved problems by talking to users, working closely with Product & Engineer, and designing end to end flows in Figma.
I was involved in shipping numerous features including Collect Early™, Small Business Onboarding, a Mobile App Redesign, Improved Navigation layouts, Sending Invoices, and more.
I also created our Figma design system, which contained everything for web, mobile, and marketing.
fintech
b2b
b2c
mobile and web app
Web & Product Designer
VIZIO
2021 ~ 2022
Vizio is a software and hardware company. I was a web & UX designer working alongside 15+ creatives on a team of 800+ total people.
I made improvements to the website and provided front end support for launch. This included PDP pages, email marketing, landing pages, social media graphics, and brand refreshes.
consumer
e-commerce
web app
Web Designer
Highline
2018 ~ 2021
This was my first "professional" job. I was a web designer and developer for a marketing agency. I helped design Webflow and Wordpress sites for clients ranging from mom~and~pop shops, fitness companies, and large corporations.
This role taught me a ton about working with clients, communicating well, and working quickly.
web design
web development
Freelancing
Dakotasumner.com
2015 ~ Present
Over the years, I've been fortunate to work and contract for some amazing clients. I offer web design, branding, product design, and more.
Product design
web design
web development
My approach to working
I’ve picked lots of lessons and principles over the years.
Here’s the ones I come back:
Say, Do, Say
Your word is everything. Say what you do, do what you say, say what you did.
Get going, then get good
Software is malleable. Let’s ship, get feedback, and ship again.
Prototype the path
Prototypes are more meaningful than static screens. Aim for those.
Strong opinions, loosely held
Show up with solutions, finish with resolutions
Show and tell
I share work in progress often, usually in the form of Loom videos.
Tools I use
Figma
Webflow
Framer
GTP & Ai
Jitter
Raycast
Notion
Figma
Need a designer that
acts like an owner?
I'll be your guy.
Open to opportunities
