FOUNDER STORY
We have been inside the room That is the difference.
Dogpatch Design is not a marketplace. It is not a staffing agency. It is two designers who have shipped real product at real startups – one of whom has done it three times inside YC companies.
5+
YC companies
15+
Years of experience
10K+
Component design system
The Founder
I know what the founding designer moment actually feels like
I started in games. I was at TrippertLabs when Playdom acquired it for $13 million. Then Playdom was acquired by Disney for $763 million. I was on the team that shipped Gardens of Time, Facebook’s Game of the Year, with 17 million monthly active users at its peak. I learned what it means to design for millions of users, move fast, and care about every pixel because revenue depends on it.
Then I found early-stage startups. I was Head of Product Design at Tackle (YC W21) for four years, running parallel with founding designer roles at Obento Health (YC S23) and Simbie AI (YC S23). Not one after another. At the same time.
I have watched brilliant founders with a real product and no PMF. I have been in the room during the pivot conversation. I have redesigned an onboarding flow at midnight before a demo. I have shipped a Bookface launch video and a full marketing site in four days for a YC launch.
This is where the experience comes from
Simbie AI
Clinical AI voice agent
Obento Health
CRM for medtech sales
Tackle
Time tracking on autopilot
Disney
Senior UI/UX Designer · 2 years
LifeData
Principal Designer · 7 years
I watched a product reach $35K MRR and then fail because the market shifted. Not because of bad design. Not because of bad founders. The market just was not there. I know what that feels like.
The Co-Founder
I know what it takes to build the first version and make it scale
I started in small teams, working on early products where every decision mattered. That’s where I learned design is not about screens, it’s about making things usable and valuable from day one.
I’ve worked with teams that had a strong product but struggled to turn it into growth. I’ve been part of conversations where we had to rethink direction after seeing the data. I’ve redesigned critical flows under tight timelines before a launch. I’ve shipped end-to-end experiences quickly when the business needed results, not perfection.
This is where the experience comes from
Grab
Product Designer · Singapore
Love Bonito
Omnichannel fashion · SEA
Standard Chartered
Digital Banking · London
Toptal
Airbnb, Emirates · 7 years
Pathao
Senior UI/UX Designer · 2 years
ReformUI
10,000-component · Figma design system
Good design is not just about speed or perfection. It’s about making the right decisions early so the product can grow without falling apart.
That’s what I focus on now. Building systems that hold up, products that make sense, and decisions that still work when things get bigger.
Why we built this
We started this because the gap is real.
Option 01
Hire a full-time designer
$120K to $180K a year. Three months to recruit. A significant bet when you are still pre-PMF and the role scope is undefined.
Option 02
Use a design marketplace
Fast turnaround, but you get a designer who does not know your product, does not understand YC pace, and has never had to make the call between shipping something good and shipping something perfect.
we are Option 03
Dogpatch Design
Two experienced designers who have shipped inside the exact environment you are in. No account manager. No juniors. No contracts before we have earned it.
- One retainer. Everything you need.
Who we work with
We are specific about who we work with. Here is why.
- Our ICP
Early-stage YC founders.
Early-stage YC founders at the founding designer moment – the moment right before or right after you realise design is the bottleneck between where you are and where you need to be.
Who we are not right for
Series A companies that need a full design department and complex hierarchy.
Founders who want to hand off design and not think about it. We are partners, not a service.
High-volume production houses. We focus on craft and product strategy over generic output.
Who we are right for
Early-stage YC founders at the founding designer moment – the moment right before or right after you realise design is the bottleneck between where you are and where you need to be.
- The Friday Standard
“If you need that by Friday, we can do that too.”
Testimonials
Do not take our word for it
Here is what YC founders say after working with us.
8X
Increase in conversion rate
Hasan has been an incredible asset to Simbie AI from day one. As our founding design partner, he have elevated everything from our marketing website to our product UI and sales demos with precision, creativity, and speed. he’s not only a talented designer but also thoughtful, strategic partner who bring energy, enthusiasm, and a deep commitment to our mission. We’re so lucky to have him on the team.
2X
Increase in lead generation
Dogpatch Design knows how to turn ideas crossing your mind into reality! Their ability to think end-to-end – from brainstorming and making a vision concrete to planning and executing – doesn’t just elevate your design, it moves your business forward.
Hasan has been a critical part of Obento Health as our founding design partner. From user flowcharts to iOS applications, marketing websites, promo videos, and even animations, his work has elevated every aspect of our product and brand. his dedication and versatility have been key to bringing our vision to life and helping us make a strong impact.
Dogpatch Design exceptional blend of creativity and technical insight transformed our product’s visual identity while ensuring a seamless user experience. Their collaborative approach and strategic thinking make them an invaluable partner for any team serious about innovation.
