Meet the Team: Amplitude VP of Design Kim Lenox

As Vice President of Design at Amplitude, Kim Lenox makes transformative design a core part of our product development process. She leads the product design team to deliver user-centric, innovative experiences across our product suite. Prior to joining Amplitude, Kim was Vice President, Head of Design for Experience Cloud at Adobe, Vice President, Head of Product Design & UX Research at Zendesk, and Director of Product Design at LinkedIn.

We had the opportunity to chat with Kim about her journey from photography to leading cutting-edge design teams. She shared what inspired her career pivot, her passion for intuitive user experiences, and the balance of creativity with data-driven decisions. From embracing ambiguity to fostering a growth mindset, she offers strategies for empowering teams and combining the power of impactful data and exceptional design.

What inspired you to pursue a career in product?

The TL;DR answer: The world is overflowing with poorly designed experiences, and I wanted to change that.

The long story reveals more about the journey that shaped my perspective. After earning a BFA in photography during a recession and witnessing the rise of digital photography, I recognized that I needed to pivot. I sought a career that was interesting, financially viable, and less susceptible to commoditization.

My path took me through photography, nonprofit arts management, book publishing, and educational CD-ROMs—industries all disrupted by technology. I realized that software design offered a promising niche. My first role was as an international product manager for a children’s educational software startup, a position I initially created as an unpaid internship. That role evolved as I leaned into opportunities, eventually leading me to focus on software embedded in hardware—everything from interactive TV to kitchen appliances.

Years later, I transitioned to multi-channel web and SaaS experiences at LinkedIn in 2014, a move that reaffirmed my belief that great design is as much about adaptability as it is about vision.

What’s your favorite Amplitude value, and how do you see your colleagues living that value out?

In technology, a growth mindset isn’t optional; it’s essential. At Amplitude, this value is alive in every corner of the organization. From thoughtful decision-making to agile problem-solving, my colleagues embody curiosity and adaptability every day.

I intentionally hire and train for growth mindsets because they fuel innovation and resilience. Joining a company that shares this ethos has been both validating and energizing.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting in product design, what would it be?

If I could offer one piece of advice to someone starting in product design, it would be this: Get comfortable with ambiguity.

Product work is about creating the future—a space inherently filled with uncertainty. Cultivate a curiosity-driven, continuous learning mindset. Dive into the unknown with confidence that each challenge is an opportunity to grow.

What strategies do you use to prioritize self-care while managing a busy work schedule?

Prioritizing self-care has been a journey for me, one rooted in trial and error and eventual clarity. For creativity and presence, I focus on the basics: sleep, exercise, rest, hydration, and a balanced diet. These pillars enable me to show up fully for my family, teams, and myself.

Balancing work and life is no small feat, especially in roles we love. I encourage my teams to explore their energy patterns—identifying what boosts or drains them—and adapt their workflows accordingly. I’ve seen firsthand how unlocking creative flow can yield extraordinary results.

Personally, I leverage strategies like a treadmill desk, calendar-blocked focus time, and integrating movement into meetings. These practices remind me that maintaining balance is a continuous evolution.

What drew you to this position, and what do you hope to achieve at Amplitude?

Designing exceptional user experiences demands a balance of qualitative intuition and quantitative insight. Amplitude’s commitment to data-informed decision-making aligns perfectly with my own approach.

I joined Amplitude at a pivotal time as we reimagine the future of our platform. My vision is to create transformative, actionable insights that enable our customers to build amazing product experiences. Equally important is my dedication to fostering an empowered, high-performing design team that thrives in this mission.

The best products are not only functional but deeply intuitive. I’m thrilled to be part of a company that shapes tools to make this possible.

Closing Thoughts

Leading design at Amplitude is an opportunity to contribute to the evolution of how teams create products and experiences that matter. The challenges are complex, and the stakes are high, but the rewards—helping people and businesses thrive—are immeasurable. Together, we're building a future where great design and impactful data converge.