K
Kavé Smailey
Product Designer at Darbast
"Design beautiful things"
Last updated on 17 Feb, 2026
What tools do you use to help you design?
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How did you get started in your role?
I started University as an engineering student, but ended up transferring to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where I studied User Experience Design. I had so many opportunities to work with companies, connect with industry professionals, and collaborate on award-winning projects.
After graduating in 2025, I interned with Lenovo as a UX Designer and started a design studio with my girlfriend, where we worked with various startups. In the winter of 2025, I interviewed with YouTube and started there as a UX Designer in 2026.
How do you incorporate the apps in your design process?
Figma is my main design tool, but I leverage other tools for exploration and prototyping.
What books do you recommend?
What are the responsibilities of your role?
As a UX designer, I work with engineers, product managers, and fellow designers to design, test, and launch features. My team specifically focuses on YouTube Community, but we still collaborate with other teams (Shorts, Live, etc.) to ensure our designs stay consistent and usable across the platform.
What difficulties do you encounter in your role?
YouTube is a massive platform that serves billions of users every day. There are many features, user bases, and ongoing projects you need to be familiar with. It’s also just as important to keep up with what competitors are doing.
I just recently started this role, so I still have a lot to learn, but it’s been really fun to lift the hood and see how YouTube operates behind the scenes.
What advice would you give to your younger self trying to get into the field of design?
Say yes to as many opportunities as you can. Understand that starting is the hardest part, and find what kind of work motivates you best. Lean on your peers for feedback and get inspired by their work.
Do you have any regrets in your journey in becoming a designer?
When I first started, it was easy to focus on visuals and perfect layouts over impactful design decisions. Focus on the user and all else will follow!
As a designer how do you stay inspired?
I stay connected with my network of friends and designers. I love to see what other people are working on, and chances are their work will inspire me to try something new myself. I also love websites that curate design work. Remember to not only consume inspiration, but also give yourself time to create something based on it!
