President Donald Trump has appointed Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, as the first Chief Design Officer of the United States. This appointment is part of a broader initiative to overhaul government websites and services, making them more user-friendly and aesthetically appealing.
Gebbia, who joined the Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year and also serves on Tesla's board, expressed his commitment to transforming government services to match the engaging design and user experience found in leading tech companies, such as Apple. His directive is to ensure that interactions with government websites are streamlined and effective, enhancing the overall experience for American citizens.
The National Design Studio, a new entity established by Trump through an executive order, will be led by Gebbia. This temporary organization is part of the "America by Design" initiative, which aims to revitalize the digital interfaces through which citizens engage with their government. The White House has identified nearly 26,000 federal websites that are currently failing to meet public expectations, with only 6% scoring well on mobile performance and a significant portion lacking mobile-friendly designs.
Gebbia's role will include reducing redundant design costs, attracting top creative talent, and improving the efficiency of digital services across federal agencies. The administration expects initial results from agencies collaborating with Gebbia by July 4, 2026. The National Design Studio is set to operate for three years, with the goal of modernizing and enhancing the usability of government digital services for the public.