Dan Cooney

Dan Cooney is the Director of Design Operations at Adobe, where he plays a crucial role in shaping the design strategy and operations within the company. His professional journey began in 2000, and he has accumulated extensive experience in user experience and design operations across various organizations.

Professional Background

• Current Role: At Adobe, Cooney is responsible for overseeing design operations, focusing on enhancing collaboration and efficiency within design teams. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling and analytical thinking in driving transformation within design practices, especially in the context of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.2
• Previous Experience: Before joining Adobe, Cooney held significant roles at other major companies, including positions at Uber and Google. He also served as the Director of User Experience for an e-commerce firm prior to his tenure at Adobe.3

Contributions and Activities

• Dan has been actively involved in the information architecture and user experience communities, particularly in southeast Michigan. He has served as an officer and founding member of local UX organizations and is a former president of the University of Michigan School of Information Alumni Board.1
• He is also known for his educational contributions, teaching a class on evaluating systems and services at the University of Michigan's School of Information.1

Personal Insights

In his presentations, Cooney often discusses the concept of "frisson," describing it as a feeling of excitement that accompanies transformation in design. He advocates for a collaborative approach among diverse thinkers to navigate change effectively.2

Overall, Dan Cooney's career reflects a commitment to advancing design practices and fostering innovation within teams at Adobe and beyond.