Justin Schueler
Independent Design DirectorDesigner helping teams build brands that resonate and products that actually feel considered.
My work sits at the intersection of strategy and craft. I lead design, shape direction, align stakeholders, and still care about the details. Whether it's a brand identity, a product interface, or a design system, I'm as interested in the thinking as I am in the output.
I founded smalltribe, a branding and product design studio. Alongside that, I work directly with companies as an embedded partner — a fractional design lead for teams that need senior guidance without the full-time overhead.
Fractional design lead
Embed with your team a few days per month to set direction, raise the design bar, and coach designers.
Brand and product design
From early-stage positioning to product UI, I help teams shape the narrative and the interface around it.
Design systems and process
Define how design works: systems, tools, and rituals that keep teams moving without killing creativity.
Strategic design partner
A sounding board for founders and product leaders on vision, prioritisation, and what "good" looks like.
I mostly work with early-stage to growth-stage tech companies, founders, and product teams who care about design as a strategic lever, not just decoration.
If you're looking for someone who can see the whole system and still ship the details, .