Designer. Strategist. Advocate.
My name is Matthew McClendon, and I create systems that work with people, not against them — blending data, design, and human dignity. My work has influenced policy conversations, reshaped user experiences, and sparked dialogue across design, data, and civic systems.
SELECTED WORK
A selection of design, strategy, and storytelling projects that blend data, human dignity, and intelligent systems.
White Paper
White Paper
Case Study
ABOUT MATTHEW
I am a designer and strategist who treats credibility as a product requirement. Over three decades, I have led UX teams, mapped broken journeys, and rebuilt them around evidence and dignity. My practice combines qualitative research, quantitative insights, and narrative clarity to deliver outcomes that reduce friction and increase trust—across software, policy, and public systems.
I work best where the stakes are high and the context is ambiguous. I partner with leaders to frame the problem, focus the signal, and deliver an experience that endures practical constraints. The goal is simple: systems that ordinary people can actually use—and believe in.
Current threads: human-centered intelligence infrastructure, signal integrity in civic life, and design frameworks that redistribute power rather than radiate it. If your challenge lives at the edge of design, data, and accountability, I’m here for it.
MY BOOKS
RECLAMATION (to be released Dec 2025)
Where Exit Wounds charted heartbreak and survival, Reclamation celebrates resilience and the power of starting again. Love poetry and short stories converge in layered, lyrical narratives that explore selfhood, intimacy, and the return to joy.
UNBOUND
A recovery framework for survivors of narcissistic abuse. Blending the wisdom of 12-step principles with practical case studies, reflections, and strategies.
EXIT WOUNDS
A raw, poetic reckoning with love, loss, and survival. Layered metaphors and visceral truths explore the aftermath of heartbreak and addiction.
The STARTUP SERIES
I’ve spent my career moving between true startups and enterprise teams built to run like startups, carrying companies through the turbulence of early growth and into Series B exits. The Startup Series reflects those lessons in practice—how ideas take shape, how founders earn trust, where growth defines identity, and where things most often go wrong. These essays are written to help founders and builders recognize the patterns early and chart a steadier course.
I. STARTING OUT: LESSONS & ORIENTATION
A candid look at the painful truths every founder eventually faces. This piece sets the tone with hard-won wisdom that strips away illusions and prepares readers for the reality ahead.
Before the first pitch deck or prototype, founders need clarity of purpose. This article explores how to define and stay true to a guiding vision that anchors every decision.
II. BUILDING THE FOUNDATION
Not every idea deserves to become a startup. Here, readers learn how to separate sparks of curiosity from durable opportunities that solve real problems.
A tactical manifesto for early-stage scrappiness. This piece explains why ignoring scalability at the start is not only acceptable, but often essential.
III. SECURING RESOURCES & DRIVING GROWTH
Fundraising isn’t just about numbers — it’s about narrative. This article unpacks how to frame your vision so investors see potential beyond the slide deck.
More than survival or product launches, what makes a company a startup is growth. This piece reframes growth as the central identity of a startup, not just a metric.
Founders must transform as their companies scale. This article dives into the mindset shifts, leadership demands, and personal evolution required to keep pace.
IV. AVOIDING PITFALLS & BUILDING FOR LONGEVITY
A field guide to the most common traps founders set for themselves. Sharp, direct, and often funny — this one helps readers recognize failure patterns before they strike.
The series culminates with a constructive blueprint for durability. These principles offer a roadmap for founders who want to build companies that endure beyond the hype.
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