Design leader passionate about impactful product experiences.

Skilled at building creative tools, AI-first apps, and extensible frameworks, I aim to turn bold ideas into measurable business success.

Featured Work

Adobe AI Image App

I led design and strategy for Adobe's new AI-first desktop app, transforming complex image editing into one-click enhancements that help everyday users create stunning images.

Explore my award-winning career path from product designer to design leadership, spanning roles at Adobe, founding a design agency, leading AI-first design, and enterprise software.

Hi, I'm Lance Shields.

Featured Work

Doubling Express Users

My strategy and leadership on the Express Extensibility team delivered 114% growth of Express MAU through embedded editors in 1st and 3rd party apps. I also led design of the Express plugin marketplace to increase Express engagement.

Design Amplified

Blog exploring the future of design leadership, career reinvention, and AI innovation.

Blog
Ideas Aren't Ageist: The Innovation Advantage of Age Diversity
Ideas Aren't Ageist: The Innovation Advantage of Age Diversity

Why the most valuable currency in business has no expiration date. The value of an idea has absolutely nothing to do with the age of the person who conceived it.

Designing for Dragons: The New Rules of AI UX
Designing for Dragons: The New Rules of AI UX

The old UX maxim was "Don't make me think." The new AI UX maxim is "Please, for the love of all that is holy, think a little bit before trusting what this very convincing machine just told you." We're workshopping a shorter version.

The Creative AI Paradox: Threat, Tool, or Renaissance?
The Creative AI Paradox: Threat, Tool, or Renaissance?

The battle for the soul of human creativity is happening right now, and it's moving at a pace that would make even the most jaded techno-optimist's head spin.

Featured Work

The Loop App

Loop is an App that allows casual users to create fun animated content in a quick and easy way. Loop is primarily meant as a Mini App integrated into social network services, and empowers users to share content seamlessly.

“Lance can be an asset to any product team looking to innovate with Design pushing on the user experience as a trusted partner.”

Aubrey Cattell, VP Product at Adobe

Research:

Ship Yourself Cards

Ship Yourself Cards is a helpful card deck app researched, designed, and coded using AI tools to help designers of all levels build momentum, tell their story, and navigate career transitions with confidence.

I’d love to hear from you.