Joe Gebbia, Airbnb co-founder and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) associate, was recently appointed the United States’ first Chief Design Officer by President Trump. This new role, created under the executive order “Improving Our Nation Through Better Design” and central to the America By Design initiative, is aimed at transforming federal digital and physical services into intuitive, user-friendly experiences. Gebbia, a billionaire entrepreneur, Tesla board member, and Rhode Island School of Design graduate, will report to the White House Chief of Staff and lead the National Design Studio (NDS), a temporary White House organization tasked with delivering initial results by July 4, 2026, America’s 250th anniversary.
The executive order outlines a sweeping plan to modernize government services. Section 1 highlights America’s innovation legacy while criticizing outdated systems as “digital potholes” that erode trust and inflate costs. It sets a policy for creating efficient, aesthetically pleasing services. The Chief Design Officer will be responsible for recruiting top design talent, coordinating across agencies, and reducing redundant spending. Section 2 formally establishes the America By Design initiative and the NDS, with authority under 5 U.S.C. 3161. This temporary organization will expire after three years, though ongoing provisions will remain. Section 3 requires agency heads to collaborate with Gebbia, prioritize high-impact public services, update the U.S. Web Design System, comply with the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act, and incorporate private-sector expertise. Section 4 ensures the order aligns with existing legal and budgetary authorities while creating no enforceable rights.
Gebbia has already shared his vision publicly, stating on X that government services should be as intuitive as an Apple Store. He plans to use modern software and design practices to simplify essential tasks such as applying for student loans, passports, green cards, and filing taxes. Earlier this year, Gebbia joined DOGE to streamline federal retirement processes, which he says were successfully completed, paving the way for his new responsibilities.
The launch of new sites, americabydesign.gov and NDstudio.gov, emphasizes the need to fix “digital potholes” in federal services and provide updates on upcoming projects. Despite his history as a Democratic donor, Gebbia has aligned himself with Trump’s initiative, calling it a “once-in-a-generational moment” for designers to help reimagine how government interfaces work for citizens.
