David Diliberto
Q What do you do?
“Hi I’m a Digital Design Director based in Los Angeles working in the D2C e-commerce space.”
Whether it’s crafting the visual identity for a lifestyle brand, art directing a shoot or nerding out over a button on a website, I thrive on bringing the big (and small) ideas to life.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
My journey into the world of design and eCommerce has been both intentional and a bit random. I have over 15 years of experience in traditional advertising and branding design, starting with a foundation in graphic design with a BFA from the School of Visual Arts. Post-grad, I worked in various New York-based ad agencies soaking up experience in campaign work and digital design for large blue chip clients.
Also, I have a strong love for personal projects and love experimenting with ecomm ideas to see what percolates. While at my former agency Chandelier Creative, I spun up the .com for Flamingo Estate and eventually went full time leading the digital team. Throughout my career, I’ve continuously upgraded my skills in art direction, UX/UI and built out our techstack. Each step was a building block, not just in developing projects but in sculpting the career I envisioned.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I think my experience across both boutique and major agencies, now working brandside has shaped me into a well-rounded creative. My background in branding within the lifestyle / fashion advertising space demanded a high level of perfection. Over the years it sharpened my attention to detail and elevated my taste level to develop a knack for trend-spotting. On the flip, I always embrace new technology and try to stand at the intersection of both creativity and innovation. This approach has allowed me to lead larger projects, collaborating with people in so many different disciplines.
Q What are you working on right now?
I'm leading the digital product team at Flamingo Estate, focusing on elevating our website and our digital marketing creative. My goals are to enhance the user experience, streamline functionality, and bring surprise and delight for our customers.
I also have a small golf streetwear brand called Golfitecture that champions creativity through the lens of golf. I see it as a creative playground that has allowed me to produce weird things, meet and have a good excuse to collaborate with creatives that I have always admired. My internal brief is always “how can we subvert this thing and “make it golf”.
Q What’s your style?
I avoid boxing myself into a specific style, preferring instead to let my approach naturally adapt to each project. This flexibility allows my unique style to emerge organically. In my personal work, I tend to highlight the creative process and behind-the-scenes details, favoring a raw and unpolished aesthetic.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Content creation, I love being hands on and would love to make more videos talking about the creative process.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Currently, I'm frustrated by the focus on fleeting trends in the design community, particularly by influencers who promote "must-have" fonts, trend roundups, or essential texture packs. A trend-centric approach often pushes designers into execution without a solid conceptual foundation. I strongly believe in the value of nurturing a good idea from the start and rather see creators share their processes and emphasize the importance of developing strong concepts before diving into design specifics.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I'd choose an animator or editor. Animation has the capability to elevate and communicate ideas effectively, bringing them to life in a way that static images simply cannot. Animation can enhance storytelling and presentation adding clarity and the “i get it” moment.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Learn to code. Understanding the technical side of digital projects early on would have not only expanded my creative toolkit but also allowed me to bring an idea to life and bridge the gap between design and development faster.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I would choose to speak with business founders. Coming from a creative background, I don't have an MBA or formal business training, so I'm interested in learning that side and how to incorporate successful strategies into my personal projects.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I am seeking opportunities with the right clients— I thrive in collaborative environments and am looking for culture-forward brands or individuals who are looking to blend creative and technical thinking to bring great ideas to life.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
Working with clients who place a high value on creativity and are open to experimentation. I’m drawn to projects that allow time to thoroughly explore wild ideas and develop them into effective solutions. Success, for me, is driven by creative freedom and the opportunity to work with products or services that are primed to tell a great story.
Q What is your rate?
It can vary depending on the project's scope, complexity, and specific requirements but, my rate is $150/hour and I am open to project-based pricing depending on the scope. Let's connect and figure it out!
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Feel free to email me at david@daviddiliberto.com or send me a message on Instagram.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Too much great talent to list! Mirko Borsche and Harsh Patel for graphic design, Thibaut Grevet for Photography & Direction, Thomas Traum for 3D, Marc Kremers for digital.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Window shopping, photography, traveling, books & magazines.
This member profile was originally published in May 2024.