Hi! I'm Charles Dao.

Senior Product & UX Designer | 30+ Years Driving Enterprise Design Solutions | Partner to Fortune 500 & Startup Teams.

I’m currently updating the website and will be adding more projects shortly.
If you’d like to learn more about my work in the meantime, feel free to reach out.

After graduating from Boston University with a degree in Computer Science, I began my career in quality assurance, testing complex and often clunky applications. It didn’t take long to realize that the real problem wasn’t just code errors; it was poor user experience. That realization sparked a lifelong dedication to designing intuitive, elegant systems that make technology feel human.

Guided by relentless curiosity and hands-on practice, I built my expertise from the ground up, much like a lotus rising from the mud, transforming challenges into lasting impact. Early clients recognized my ability to simplify complexity and began trusting me with their most challenging projects. That mindset led me to establish Dao Design, where for more than 30 years I have led UX and product design initiatives for Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing startups My portfolio includes 24 years partnering with Dell/EMC Technologies, 15 years with Fidelity Investments, and a decade designing for NetBrain Technologies. These long-term relationships reflect trust, consistency, and measurable impact.

Across generative AI, finance, technology, advertising, healthcare, education, travel and hospitality, and retail, my goal has always been the same: to build products that empower users while supporting business goals. I have designed enterprise search platforms that supported IPO success, including Northern Light’s “Custom Search Folders,” a major UX differentiator later acquired by Divine, Inc., healthcare suites used in more than 3,000 hospitals, and financial tools that increased advisor efficiency and client satisfaction. My daily toolkit includes Figma, Miro, Adobe Creative Suite, and AI-driven design tools that help accelerate iteration and improve outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you approach a design?

Design is not just about visuals, it requires aligning many moving parts. I work closely with leadership to understand business goals, collaborate with research teams to identify user needs, partner with product managers on requirements and roadmap planning, and coordinate with engineering to ensure designs are feasible and scalable.
I approach design with a long-term perspective, encouraging teams to think beyond immediate releases. By planning how the design should evolve over six months, a year, or longer, I help organizations reduce rework, streamline development, and maintain consistency across product generations.
With a background in computer science, I work closely with engineering teams to align design decisions with existing architecture and technical constraints. When limitations arise, I collaborate with engineers to identify practical solutions or alternative approaches that still deliver a strong user experience.

How do you work with clients?

I focus on building long-term relationships with clients rather than completing a single project and moving on. By investing time to deeply understand each organization’s business, users, and goals, I help teams develop products that support sustained success.
Clients frequently involve me in their most complex or high-risk projects, including redesigning products that require significant improvement. My role often includes untangling existing designs and helping teams rebuild experiences that are clearer, more efficient, and easier to use.
Throughout my career, I have helped organizations adapt their products during major technology transitions. I supported teams at Fidelity and EMC as they moved from traditional desktop applications to web platforms, and more recently I have worked with Dell and NetBrain to explore how AI-driven capabilities can be integrated into enterprise products.

Do you conduct usability studies?

I regularly conduct usability studies or partner with internal research teams to understand how people actually use products. Through interviews and workflow analysis, I identify pain points and opportunities, then bring those insights back to product and leadership teams to guide design decisions.

What types of engagements are you available for?

Quick Design – Ideal for building MVPs or prototypes where speed matters. We can move fast and deliver meaningful results in just a few days.
Project-Based – Perfect for larger initiatives with a defined scope, such as full product experiences, workflow redesigns, or website overhauls.
Retainer – Best for ongoing partnerships that require continuous design support across multiple projects. Long-term clients such as Dell/EMC, Fidelity, SunGard, and NetBrain have used this model to maintain design consistency and momentum.

How do you bill projects?

My pricing model is flexible, and I am able to adapt to each client’s needs. I typically work on an hourly basis for defined projects or a monthly budget for ongoing support. There’s no large upfront commitment — many of my clients start with a short engagement and end up working with me for years, even decades.
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Because design often progresses in phases, I only bill for the actual hours worked. During critical timelines, I’m available to work evenings or weekends to ensure on-time delivery. I consistently deliver projects ahead of schedule and within budget — which is why many clients find this approach both cost-efficient and dependable over the long term.

Can you work with my teams?

Yes. I have extensive experience collaborating with product managers, developers, designers, and executives across both large enterprises and startups. Whether your team needs an independent design lead or a hands-on collaborator, I can adapt to your workflow and communication style.

I’ve worked on enterprise projects with development teams distributed across four countries, applying deep listening and empathy to understand challenges, align priorities, and guide teams toward clear, approved design solutions.

Can you work with my existing design?

Yes. I can design from the ground up — creating a complete look and feel or building a design system from scratch for startups — or I can work within your existing brand and design framework. I’m also experienced in maintaining and expanding design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability as your product evolves.

Are You Able to Work on a W-2 Basis?

Yes. I’m a U.S. citizen and can work under either a W-2 or 1099 arrangement, depending on your company’s requirements.

Get in Touch

Hi! I'm Charles Dao.

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