Level up your leadership skills
Level up your leadership skills
Level up your leadership skills
I help designers and managers find simple solutions to complex challenges and build a career that delivers results
I help designers and managers find simple solutions to complex challenges and build a career that delivers results
Common challenges I help with
I was promoted to manager, and now I feel overwhelmed by tasks and expectations.
I was promoted to manager, and now I feel overwhelmed by tasks and expectations.
I was promoted to manager, and now I feel overwhelmed by tasks and expectations.
The team is working, but I don’t see real progress. It feels like we’re stuck.
I’m trying to explain the value of design to the business — but it’s like we’re speaking different languages.
I’m trying to explain the value of design to the business — but it’s like we’re speaking different languages.
I’m trying to explain the value of design to the business — but it’s like we’re speaking different languages.
I want to grow into a leadership role, but I don’t really understand what’s expected of me.
I want to grow into a leadership role, but I don’t really understand what’s expected of me.
I want to grow into a leadership role, but I don’t really understand what’s expected of me.
I constantly doubt myself: am I good enough to lead others?
I constantly doubt myself: am I good enough to lead others?
I constantly doubt myself: am I good enough to lead others?
I don’t know how to give honest, helpful feedback that actually helps the team grow.
I don’t know how to give honest, helpful feedback that actually helps the team grow.
I don’t know how to give honest, helpful feedback that actually helps the team grow.
Sometimes it feels like all I do is put out fires instead of developing the team and the product.
Sometimes it feels like all I do is put out fires instead of developing the team and the product.
Sometimes it feels like all I do is put out fires instead of developing the team and the product.
Testimonials
Maryna Revutska
Head of Design @ Scalio
Vova is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to management. Our conversations helped me structure my knowledge and make intentional decisions about leading a department. I’m especially grateful for the support — something you really need at the start of a leadership journey. If you’re looking for a strong knowledge base backed by practical advice, this is the place to go.
Maryna Revutska
Head of Design @ Scalio
Vova is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to management. Our conversations helped me structure my knowledge and make intentional decisions about leading a department. I’m especially grateful for the support — something you really need at the start of a leadership journey. If you’re looking for a strong knowledge base backed by practical advice, this is the place to go.
Maryna Revutska
Head of Design @ Scalio
Vova is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to management. Our conversations helped me structure my knowledge and make intentional decisions about leading a department. I’m especially grateful for the support — something you really need at the start of a leadership journey. If you’re looking for a strong knowledge base backed by practical advice, this is the place to go.
Alla Medvedeva
Head of Design @ Diversido
“I can’t unsee what I’ve realized — now what do I do with it?” That was one of my questions to Vova during our sessions. I was amazed at how he could find the right threads in messy situations — untangling them, helping, supporting, and enabling real change in a company or even a career. I’m incredibly thankful for this experience.
Alla Medvedeva
Head of Design @ Diversido
“I can’t unsee what I’ve realized — now what do I do with it?” That was one of my questions to Vova during our sessions. I was amazed at how he could find the right threads in messy situations — untangling them, helping, supporting, and enabling real change in a company or even a career. I’m incredibly thankful for this experience.
Alla Medvedeva
Head of Design @ Diversido
“I can’t unsee what I’ve realized — now what do I do with it?” That was one of my questions to Vova during our sessions. I was amazed at how he could find the right threads in messy situations — untangling them, helping, supporting, and enabling real change in a company or even a career. I’m incredibly thankful for this experience.
Pavlo Goncharenko
Product designer @ P2P validator
After six years as a product designer, I finally made the leap to a managerial role. During our sessions, Vova listened closely to what was going on in my company. Just when I thought there was no way forward, he helped me build a clear, actionable plan. Thanks to his advice, trust in design grew, and leadership approved the expansion of our design team.
Pavlo Goncharenko
Product designer @ P2P validator
After six years as a product designer, I finally made the leap to a managerial role. During our sessions, Vova listened closely to what was going on in my company. Just when I thought there was no way forward, he helped me build a clear, actionable plan. Thanks to his advice, trust in design grew, and leadership approved the expansion of our design team.
Pavlo Goncharenko
Product designer @ P2P validator
After six years as a product designer, I finally made the leap to a managerial role. During our sessions, Vova listened closely to what was going on in my company. Just when I thought there was no way forward, he helped me build a clear, actionable plan. Thanks to his advice, trust in design grew, and leadership approved the expansion of our design team.
Viktoriia Svinina
Lead UX Designer @ Pilatus Aircraft
In our mentoring sessions, Vova created a safe space and helped me get comfortable in my new role as a design manager. It was valuable to challenge the way the design team was organized — including processes, team interactions, delegation, hiring, and stakeholder management. The sessions gave me a sense of support and motivation, and helped me see the full picture and build a clear plan.
Viktoriia Svinina
Lead UX Designer @ Pilatus Aircraft
In our mentoring sessions, Vova created a safe space and helped me get comfortable in my new role as a design manager. It was valuable to challenge the way the design team was organized — including processes, team interactions, delegation, hiring, and stakeholder management. The sessions gave me a sense of support and motivation, and helped me see the full picture and build a clear plan.
Viktoriia Svinina
Lead UX Designer @ Pilatus Aircraft
In our mentoring sessions, Vova created a safe space and helped me get comfortable in my new role as a design manager. It was valuable to challenge the way the design team was organized — including processes, team interactions, delegation, hiring, and stakeholder management. The sessions gave me a sense of support and motivation, and helped me see the full picture and build a clear plan.
Darya Sobal
Head of Product Design @ PandaDoc
Whenever I face big, overwhelming projects, Vova shows his unique talent: breaking them down into clear, manageable steps. He provides support and guidance that help me take that first step and better understand the challenge ahead.
Darya Sobal
Head of Product Design @ PandaDoc
Whenever I face big, overwhelming projects, Vova shows his unique talent: breaking them down into clear, manageable steps. He provides support and guidance that help me take that first step and better understand the challenge ahead.
Darya Sobal
Head of Product Design @ PandaDoc
Whenever I face big, overwhelming projects, Vova shows his unique talent: breaking them down into clear, manageable steps. He provides support and guidance that help me take that first step and better understand the challenge ahead.
Options
Intro Session
Let’s get to know each other, talk through your challenges, and see where I can help
25 minutes
Free
60 minutes
A focused session to unpack your blockers and get actionable advice
€248
5 hours
We’ll kick off with an intro, then go through the tailored sessions — with prep, structure, and full support
€999
About me
About me
My name is Vova Safonov. I’m a designer, manager, and educator.
I work as a fractional Head of Design with product teams, teach design management at Projector, and help companies grow their design function.
Over the past 12 years, I’ve created 10+ courses, mentored 600+ designers, held 400+ mentorship sessions, led teams at Readdle and PandaDoc, launched internal training programs, and taught management at a university level.
Today, I split my time between working with product teams and supporting design leaders in their growth.
