Meet Dave

A product designer from Manteo, NC, with over 10 years of experience. Combining a developer’s mindset, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, he’s helped IoT, fintech, and e-commerce teams achieve ambitious goals through user-focused design.

Pronouns

Pronouns

he/his/him

Location

Remote

Origin

Portugal

Pronunciation

/Lee•Al/

Experience

10+ years

Dave, with short hair, is seated at a desk at WebstaurantStore HQ, smiling and engaged in a conversation. He is wearing a white shirt, and his laptop, featuring a WebstaurantStore logo sticker, is open in front of him. Computer monitors and office decor are visible in the background.
Dave, with short hair, is seated at a desk at WebstaurantStore HQ, smiling and engaged in a conversation. He is wearing a white shirt, and his laptop, featuring a WebstaurantStore logo sticker, is open in front of him. Computer monitors and office decor are visible in the background.
Dave, with short hair, is seated at a desk at WebstaurantStore HQ, smiling and engaged in a conversation. He is wearing a white shirt, and his laptop, featuring a WebstaurantStore logo sticker, is open in front of him. Computer monitors and office decor are visible in the background.

Making meaningful experiences for everyone

Making meaningful experiences for everyone

A champion for human-centered design, Dave is committed to creating inclusive, accessible experiences for all users. He believes in putting people at the heart of his work, blending empathy with strategy to meet both user needs and business objectives.

Dave, wearing a green shirt and conference lanyard, is speaking into a microphone while seated in an audience at the Leading Design Conference 2022 in New York City. He appears engaged, holding a notebook in his lap, with other attendees seated around him in a dimly lit theater.
Dave, wearing a green shirt and conference lanyard, is speaking into a microphone while seated in an audience at the Leading Design Conference 2022 in New York City. He appears engaged, holding a notebook in his lap, with other attendees seated around him in a dimly lit theater.
Dave, wearing a green shirt and conference lanyard, is speaking into a microphone while seated in an audience at the Leading Design Conference 2022 in New York City. He appears engaged, holding a notebook in his lap, with other attendees seated around him in a dimly lit theater.
Photo courtesy of Clearleft, taken at the Leading Design Conference 2022 in NYC.
Open to work

Work Experience

Work Experience

With director-level experience, I’m seeking an IC role to focus on crafting user-centered solutions. I bring expertise in scalable systems, workflow optimization, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver impactful, innovative products.

Director of Product Design

WebstaurantStore
Jan 2022 – Nov 2024

Director of Product Design

WebstaurantStore
Jan 2022 – Nov 2024

Director of Product Design

WebstaurantStore
Jan 2022 – Nov 2024

Product Design Manager

WebstaurantStore
Jan 2021 – Jan 2022

Product Design Manager

WebstaurantStore
Jan 2021 – Jan 2022

Product Design Manager

WebstaurantStore
Jan 2021 – Jan 2022

Senior Designer

Godfrey
Apr 2019 – Dec 2020

Senior Designer

Godfrey
Apr 2019 – Dec 2020

Senior Designer

Godfrey
Apr 2019 – Dec 2020

Senior Designer

PNC Bank
Sep 2015 – Mar 2019

Senior Designer

PNC Bank
Sep 2015 – Mar 2019

Senior Designer

PNC Bank
Sep 2015 – Mar 2019
Dave and his family are enjoying a moment together on the sandy beach at Nags Head, NC. Dave, wearing a brown shirt and jeans, stands barefoot alongside his wife, who is dressed in a dark top and jeans, with their two young children playing nearby. The ocean waves and a cloudy sky create a serene backdrop.
Dave and his family are enjoying a moment together on the sandy beach at Nags Head, NC. Dave, wearing a brown shirt and jeans, stands barefoot alongside his wife, who is dressed in a dark top and jeans, with their two young children playing nearby. The ocean waves and a cloudy sky create a serene backdrop.
Dave and his family are enjoying a moment together on the sandy beach at Nags Head, NC. Dave, wearing a brown shirt and jeans, stands barefoot alongside his wife, who is dressed in a dark top and jeans, with their two young children playing nearby. The ocean waves and a cloudy sky create a serene backdrop.

Life outside designing
user experiences

Dave is a husband, proud father, and avid mobile photographer who loves capturing life’s moments. When not designing or researching, he enjoys fresh coffee, exploring tech, hiking trails, and camping under the stars.

From a tiny office to the world

Once a walk-in closet, my 5x8-foot home office is now a compact, purposeful workspace. Every item has its place, and the space is brightened by a few leafy plants. It’s a small but meaningful spot where I focus on design and creativity.

A modern and organized home workspace featuring a black accent wall with a framed “HOWDY” artwork above a large monitor on a wooden desk. The desk has a felt desk mat, a keyboard, a mouse, and a lamp with warm lighting. To the left, a white pegboard holds various tools, headphones, and accessories, surrounded by lush green plants on shelves and hanging. The workspace has a clean, minimalist aesthetic with a mix of functionality and personal touches.
A modern and organized home workspace featuring a black accent wall with a framed “HOWDY” artwork above a large monitor on a wooden desk. The desk has a felt desk mat, a keyboard, a mouse, and a lamp with warm lighting. To the left, a white pegboard holds various tools, headphones, and accessories, surrounded by lush green plants on shelves and hanging. The workspace has a clean, minimalist aesthetic with a mix of functionality and personal touches.
A modern and organized home workspace featuring a black accent wall with a framed “HOWDY” artwork above a large monitor on a wooden desk. The desk has a felt desk mat, a keyboard, a mouse, and a lamp with warm lighting. To the left, a white pegboard holds various tools, headphones, and accessories, surrounded by lush green plants on shelves and hanging. The workspace has a clean, minimalist aesthetic with a mix of functionality and personal touches.

Q&A

Q&A

How did you get started in design?

My design journey began in 2008 when I discovered a passion for creating meaningful interactions. Self-taught and driven by curiosity, I started with tools like Front-Page, Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Macromedia Flash, knowing even then that I wanted to be a web designer. That early fascination grew into a commitment to crafting seamless, user-centered experiences.

How did you get started in design?

My design journey began in 2008 when I discovered a passion for creating meaningful interactions. Self-taught and driven by curiosity, I started with tools like Front-Page, Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Macromedia Flash, knowing even then that I wanted to be a web designer. That early fascination grew into a commitment to crafting seamless, user-centered experiences.

How did you get started in design?

My design journey began in 2008 when I discovered a passion for creating meaningful interactions. Self-taught and driven by curiosity, I started with tools like Front-Page, Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Macromedia Flash, knowing even then that I wanted to be a web designer. That early fascination grew into a commitment to crafting seamless, user-centered experiences.

What is your approach to collaboration?

What is your approach to collaboration?

What is your approach to collaboration?

How do you maintain continuous growth in your work?

How do you maintain continuous growth in your work?

How do you maintain continuous growth in your work?

How does your HTML and CSS skills benefit your process?

How does your HTML and CSS skills benefit your process?

How does your HTML and CSS skills benefit your process?

What inspires you to stay curious and innovative?

What inspires you to stay curious and innovative?

What inspires you to stay curious and innovative?

Explore Case Studies

Take a deep dive into my projects and see how ideas turn into impactful solutions.

Thanks for stopping by.

Get in touch

Drop me a message if you have any questions or want to chat about design! Follow me on social media to stay connected.

Made in Manteo, NC ⚓

© 2025 Dave Leal All rights reserved.
Thanks for stopping by.

Get in touch

Drop me a message if you have any questions or want to chat about design! Follow me on social media to stay connected.

Made in Manteo, NC ⚓

© 2025 Dave Leal All rights reserved.
Thanks for stopping by.

Get in touch

Drop me a message if you have any questions or want to chat about design! Follow me on social media to stay connected.

Made in Manteo, NC ⚓

© 2025 Dave Leal All rights reserved.