Hi, I'm Jose!

I'm a designer. I work where things are still unclear, where there's direction but no alignment yet, where the opportunity is real but the shape isn't. I help turn that into something concrete: products, services, systems, organizational change. Fifteen years across financial services, aviation, education, and public sector. Currently at WPP | VML The Cocktail, based in Madrid.

Download CV →
José Antonio Ávila

Strategic Design

Working at the point where complexity becomes direction. From service blueprints and strategic narratives to operating models and organizational frameworks. Comfortable working with senior leadership and C-level stakeholders to align intent with execution.

Design Leadership

Building and leading design practices from the ground up. Experience managing cross-functional teams, defining design principles, establishing DesignOps structures, and creating the conditions for teams to do their best work consistently.

Organizational Design

Defining how teams operate at scale — governance, OKR frameworks, rituals, and capability building programs. Experience structuring large design disciplines and connecting team activities to measurable business outcomes.

Foresight

Translating emerging signals into strategic scenarios teams can act on. Building foresight capabilities inside organizations and turning uncertainty into something concrete enough to steer by.

Product and Service Design

Shaping products, services, and ecosystems from early opportunity through validation and execution. Across financial services, aviation, and public sector — from diffuse briefs to structured, testable concepts.

Mentoring and Coaching

Supporting designers, strategists, and founders through critical decisions, methodology, and career development. Experience mentoring at IE University, Fledge Accelerator, and across independent practice.

Senior Strategic Designer WPP · VML The Cocktail · 2021 — Present
Adjunct Professor IE University · 2023 — Present
Co-Founder Yunizon · 2019 — 2021
Service Designer Garaje de Ideas · 2021
Strategic Designer NADIE · 2019 — 2021
Freelance Researcher and Strategist Independent · 2018 — 2021
Design Lead IED Madrid · 2014 — 2018
Mentor Fledge Accelerator · 2016 — 2018
Industrial Designer Ciszak Dalmas · 2013 — 2017
Masters in Strategic Design IED Madrid · 2012
BA Industrial Design and Fine Arts PUCP Lima · 2006 — 2011

Contact

Open to strategic design leadership, advisory and consulting roles. Always open to chat with other passionate professionals!