Hello.

Intro

I grew up in New York, a vibrant and diverse city filled with unique ideas and perspectives — a place where you can wander endlessly without feeling lost. Here, I learned early on that people take in and share experiences in many different ways. That understanding continues to shape my approach as a designer, blending ethnographic insight with awareness of human behavior.

In my spare time, I’m a kayaker, instructor, adventurer, and explorer; experiences that keep me grounded in the value of nature, art, and culture.

I’m an award winning experience designer, director, and digital strategist with 15 yrs working across product, web, and marketing. I've lead initiatives that have translated brand expression into cohesive experiences and built scalable design systems.

I elevate brand storytelling and drive customer engagement across finance, TMT, lifestyle, health, pharma, and consumer sectors. My work shapes meaningful experiences (B2C & B2B) that are cohesive, intuitive, accessible, and indispensable.

I lead, mentor, and grow design teams, helping them do their best work while elevating design capabilities. I believe great work comes through collaboration and co-creation.
Process is a wonderful journey.

To view recent work or connect:
email: d.amellio@gmail.com  linkedIn: profile page

Many as one

It takes a village to raise a pixel. When we truly collaborate, the impact goes beyond individual effort. Silos dissolve. Alignment strengthens. Transparency is part of the process — not an afterthought.

My approach leverages design thinking, bringing disciplines together early. I foster co-creation by creating space for diverse perspectives to shape the work from the start, often leading to new and unexpected ideas.

When teams are aligned early, buy-in comes faster. Momentum builds. We focus our energy on the features that matter most for both the business and the people we’re designing for.

I care deeply about craft. Systems matter — but so do the small decisions that shape how something feels, moves, and communicates. The balance between strategy and craft is where meaningful work lives.

Thoughts on
leadership

Create a safe, ego-free environment. We spend a significant part of our lives at work. I create spaces where titles take a back seat and every voice is respected. When people feel safe and valued, they contribute more openly, and the work benefits.

Design — a collective effort. Strong work rarely comes from isolation. I encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across teams, aligning diverse perspectives toward shared outcomes for the brand, the business, and the customer.

Structure — with flexibility. I provide clarity, guardrails, and direction, while leaving room for exploration and innovation. Creativity needs boundaries, but it also needs air. My role is to guide, unblock, challenge the thinking, and keep momentum moving.

Collective growth and mentorship. A design team is only as strong as its designers. I invest in skills, confidence, and career development so individuals grow with the work — and alongside one another.